The move to abandon Twitter, now known as X, is gaining momentum among media and cultural institutions. The shift began with Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform, which he spent $44 billion and introduced controversial policies. Today, his association with Donald Trump and recent appointment to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency have reignited controversy over what is posted on the platform.
A significant event was the decision of the Guardian to withdraw from X. This decision was motivated by the growing amount of “alarming content” on the platform. This is not the only case: several news outlets in Europe and the United States are following suit. The cultural world is also reacting, as demonstrated by the Berlin Film Festival’s announcement that it will cease its presence on X. In the United States, Taylor Swift fans have abandoned the platform en masse for Bluesky, while several artists, including Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, have deactivated their accounts in protest. In Italy, Musk’s controversial words regarding a legal case on migrants have sparked outrage. Personalities such as Piero Pelù have expressed their displeasure with strong statements. Pelù accused Musk of expressing “extremely dangerous” opinions, followed by artists such as Elio e Le Storie Tese and Vinicio Marchioni.
Not everyone agrees with the withdrawal from the platform. Economist Leonardo Becchetti stressed the importance of dialogue on X to promote ideas of social progress. In addition, an account dedicated to poetry recalled that “literature and culture will last over time”, emphasizing the duty to continue communicating. Across the Channel, the Guardian’s position was clear: they will no longer use their official profiles on X, calling the platform “toxic” and denouncing how Musk exploits editorial content without adequate compensation.
The escape from X represents a broader reflection on the dynamics of social media and the responsibility of its owners. With more and more public figures detaching themselves from the platform, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on the future of public discourse online and the relationship between traditional media and social networks.
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