Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticized Elon Musk, describing him as “far right,” following the ban of his social media platform, X.
At a Glance
- Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims he won’t intimidated by Elon Musk’s wealth and power, describing him as “far right.”
- Brazil banned Musk’s social media site X due to accusations of spreading hate speech and fake news.
- Musk shut down operations in Brazil and engaged in a conflict with Brazilian legislators and politicians, citing free speech and corruption concerns.
- Musk responded to the ban with a provocative image and statement targeting Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Brazil’s President Criticizes Musk
Following a controversial decision by the Brazilian Supreme Court to ban social media platform X in the country, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized billionaire Elon Musk, arguing that significant wealth does not grant impunity.
“The world is not obliged to put up with Musk’s far-right ideology just because he is rich,” Lula said in an interview with CNN Brasil.
The court’s decision to uphold the ban on Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, was unanimous. The platform faced accusations of facilitating hate speech and disseminating misinformation. In response, Musk accused Brazil’s government of illegal conduct and of attempting to silence both the platform and its users. He framed this controversy as an issue of free speech rather than ideological conflict.
The conflict escalated when Musk decided to shut down X’s operations in Brazil, prompting further tensions with Brazilian lawmakers. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who played a pivotal role in the court’s decision, was publicly targeted by Musk.
“One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words,” Musk wrote on X.
Musk’s response included allegations of censorship and misconduct. X accused de Moraes of acting as a “dictator” and announced the closure of its Brazil offices in defiance of the court order. Justice Flávio Dino remarked that X “seems to believe it’s above the law” and emphasized that financial power does not exempt anyone from legal compliance. Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso added, “Is a behavior that would not be acceptable anywhere in the world.”
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman criticized Brazil’s stance, suggesting that the ban made the country an uninvestable market. Lula da Silva, however, maintained that Elon Musk’s wealth does not entitle him to disregard Brazil’s legal and democratic institutions.
“Just because the guy has a lot of money doesn’t mean he can disrespect this [country],” Lula said during a press briefing.
Analysts are watching closely to see if Brazil’s stance will set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar challenges. The legislation mandates strict penalties, including fines for VPN access to the banned site. Additionally, court-ordered sanctions could revoke Starlink’s operating license in Brazil if the company fails to comply with judicial directives. Musk has faced similar scrutiny in Europe, with the EU charging X under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The ongoing conflict symbolizes the broader tension between regulation of digital platforms and freedom of expression. While Musk continues to decry the actions as an attack on free speech, Brazilian officials assert that their measures are essential for maintaining democratic integrity and public safety. Whether Brazil’s actions will serve as a model for future governance of digital platforms remains to be seen.
