The glaringly obvious, increasingly frustrating, and altogether depressing shittiness of Musk-era Twitter is likely about to get a whole lot shittier and Muskier.
As you’ve probably seen floating around in recent days, Friday is set to mark the last day of easily confirmed authenticity for a number of legacy verified accounts on the platform. This is part of a larger money-minded push from Elon Musk to make those who have already been verified for legitimate reasons (i.e. those who are public figures ranging from familiar celebs to working class journalists and writers) to only have the option to maintain their verified status if they fork over a monthly fee.
It’s been clear from the start that many legacy accounts would quite rightfully not be opting in for the Twitter Blue subscription, a fact that has become more apparent in recent hours. On Friday, for example, LeBron James—who has just under 53 million Twitter followers—confirmed he will not partake in the capitalist scheme.
“Welp guess my blue [check] will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5,” LeBron, who’s been open about his reluctance to put money into apps in the past, told fans.
@KingJames 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
According to Twitter, the site “will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks” starting April 1. Those who want to keep their pre-Musk verification statuses are now required to sign up (and pay) for Twitter Blue. For important context, Forbes currently estimates that Elon Musk is worth over $200 billion.
If this were genuinely about some sort of democratization effort, or even about something as simple as fully vetting and identifying each and every person who signs up for a Twitter account, we’d likely all be having a much different conversation. But that’s not what’s going on here. It very much appears to be merely more money shit.
LeBron isn’t the first person with millions of Twitter followers to share their thoughts on the site’s descent into garbage-osity. William Shatner, Star Trek legend and real-life space traverser, directly questioned Musk on the platform about the impending change just last week.
Hey @elonmusk what’s this about blue checks going away unless we pay Twitter? I’ve been here for 15 years giving my ⏰ & witty thoughts all for bupkis. Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free? What is this-the Colombia Records & Tape Club?🙄
In short, never confuse the ambitions of a multibillionaire with the will of the people. We are always expendable to them.
