ISTANBUL

Prominent accounts with large followings on X left the platform after the election of Donald Trump as US president for a second term.

The decision to ditch X, formerly known as Twitter, is largely driven by concerns over owner Elon Musk’s close relationship with the president-elect.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon said he left X because it no longer served the “purpose” of free speech.

In a video posted on X, Lemon said: “I once thought it was a place for honest debate, discussion, transparency and free speech.”

“But now I feel it doesn’t serve that purpose.”

American bestselling author Stephen King also announced he is leaving the social media platform, citing its “toxic” environment.

“I’m leaving Twitter. I tried to stay, but the atmosphere became too toxic. Follow me on Threads if you want,” the horror author wrote on X, citing a competing social media platform.

The Guardian, St. Pauli, the anti-hate group drops X

The British daily The Guardian also announced that it would stop posting on X.

In a statement, the daily highlighted its concerns about growing negativity and extremism on the platform, which it believes now outweighs the benefits it once offered as a tool for sharing journalism and engaging with the public.

The Guardian cited the rise of harmful content on X, including far-right conspiracy theories and instances of racism, as factors in its decision to leave the platform.

“X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work,” he said, adding that its resources would be more effectively directed to other platforms.

German football club St. Pauli quit X because of hate speech and disinformation, which it says could threaten the country’s upcoming snap election.

In announcing its decision, the platform criticized Musk for turning the platform into a “hate machine” since taking over in 2022.

“Racism and conspiracy theories run rampant and are even promoted,” said St. Pauli.

“Insults and threats go largely unpunished, disguised as free speech.”

The Center for Countering Digital Hate, a London-based hate speech watchdog, said it would leave X, citing concerns that future changes to its terms and conditions could weaken its position in legal battles.

Specifically, Musk is amending the terms to require that any lawsuit against the platform be filed in Texas, where X is now headquartered.

“Elon Musk has transformed a once influential market into a dangerous, troubled space where hate, conspiracy theories and lies have privileged access to the megaphone,” the center said on its blog.

In June 2023, the center released a report claiming that X had failed to address hate speech on its platform.

In response, X threatened legal action against the hate speech watchdog, accusing the nonprofit of making “disturbing and baseless claims” aimed at damaging the reputation of the social media platform and its digital advertising business.

The Anadolu Agency website contains only part of the news provided to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS) and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.