Musk vows to expose Brazilian Supreme Court judge after X suspension
2 Min Read
The billionaire's statement follows the court's decision to suspend X operations, which came following a long feud between the two sides.
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Elon Musk speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California, on May 6, 2024. (AFP)
US billionaire Elon Musk pledged on Saturday to expose the alleged crimes of Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes after the latter ordered a nationwide suspension of X operations.
"We will begin publishing the long list of [de Moraes'] crimes, along with the specific Brazilian laws that he broke tomorrow. Obviously, he does not need to abide by US law, but he does need to abide by his own country's laws," Musk said on X.
We willl begin publishing the long list of @Alexandre’s crimes, along with the specific Brazilian laws that he broke tomorrow.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2024
Obviously, he does not need to abide by US law, but he does need to abide by his own country’s laws.
He is a dictator and a fraud, not a justice. https://t.co/m93B1r0v98
Moraes demanded internet providers block the social media platform after Musk failed to comply with the court's order to select a "necessary legal representative" in Brazil, a pivotal requirement related to account suspensions.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court judge stated in a letter that the decision would not only affect users in Brazil but also Argentina and the US.
Long time coming
Moraes had previously ordered the suspension of several accounts on Twitter accused of spreading disinformation, particularly those of supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who attempted to undermine confidence in the voting system after losing the 2022 presidential election.
"Freedom of expression doesn't mean freedom of aggression," Moraes said, "It doesn't mean the freedom to defend tyranny."
Moraes has led the charge against disinformation in Brazil, where he also presides over the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE). Last year, the TSE declared Bolsonaro ineligible to run for office again, citing his dissemination of false information regarding the electoral system.
Musk and others have criticized Moraes, arguing that his actions are part of a broader crackdown on free speech.
In April, Moraes initiated an investigation into Musk, accusing him of “criminally instrumentalizing” X by reactivating banned accounts. He also threatened the platform's CEO with a fine of approximately $20,000 per violation.
"Social networks are not lands without laws," Moraes stated.
Musk countered by saying that while X might lose revenue in Brazil, "principles matter more than profit."
