Let’s not beat around the bush: Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter—or “X,” as he’s rebranded it—has been a complete shitshow when it comes to platform manipulation. The guy took a dumpster fire, poured gasoline on it, and then tried to convince us he was innovating. From arbitrary censorship to algorithmic meddling, Musk has weaponized Twitter’s influence to fit his agenda, alienating users and fostering a cesspool of double standards.

Remember when Musk boldly declared himself a “free speech absolutist”? Yeah, turns out that only applies when it’s convenient for him. Under his leadership, Twitter has become a hypocritical playground where hate speech thrives while harmless terms get axed.

Racial slurs, anti-Semitic rhetoric, and epithets of all kinds have exploded on the platform since Musk’s takeover. Studies have shown that the use of the N-word increased significantly in the first few weeks after Musk took the reins. Musk’s hands-off approach to moderation has emboldened trolls, extremists, and conspiracy theorists, creating an environment where toxicity runs rampant.

Meanwhile, words like “cisgender” are reportedly being flagged as “hate speech.” Musk himself has tweeted disparagingly about the term, calling it a slur. So, let me get this straight: people can throw around racial slurs with no problem, but the term “cisgender”—a neutral descriptor—is where the line gets drawn? What kind of clown logic is that?

It’s no secret that Musk has manipulated Twitter’s algorithm to boost his own posts. After a Super Bowl tweet from President Biden got more engagement than Musk’s, reports emerged that Twitter engineers were directed to tweak the algorithm to prioritize Musk’s content. Talk about fragile ego syndrome.

This isn’t just petty; it’s platform manipulation on a massive scale. By prioritizing his tweets, Musk is essentially hijacking the algorithm to amplify his voice over others, distorting organic engagement and shoving his shitty memes and half-baked ideas into everyone’s feed.

The blue checkmark, once a symbol of authenticity, has been turned into a laughingstock. Musk’s decision to charge $8 a month for Twitter Blue effectively killed verification’s original purpose. Now, anyone with a credit card can slap a blue check next to their name, making it harder than ever to distinguish real accounts from imposters.

This has led to some epic fuck-ups. Remember when a fake Eli Lilly account tweeted that insulin would be free, wiping billions off the company’s market cap? Or when fake “verified” accounts impersonated politicians and brands, spreading disinformation? Yeah, great job, Elon.

Musk has made it clear that he’s not above using Twitter to silence critics and amplify his buddies. Here’s how he’s been tilting the playing field:

Users who criticize Musk or his ventures have reported sudden drops in engagement, leading to suspicions of shadowbanning. While Musk denies this, the evidence suggests otherwise. The guy owns the platform—of course, he’s going to wield that power to protect his image.

Musk’s cozy relationship with right-wing figures has been evident in the accounts he’s reinstated. Suspended users like Andrew Tate and Donald Trump have been welcomed back, while left-leaning voices often face harsher scrutiny. It’s a clear case of Musk using Twitter as a megaphone for his personal ideology.

The platform’s rules seem to bend depending on who’s involved. Hate speech? Fine, as long as it’s not directed at Musk or his inner circle. Terms like “cisgender”? Censored. Verified accounts? Pay to play. It’s a shitshow of inconsistencies that undermines any claims of fairness or transparency.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that Musk’s antics are driving Twitter into the ground. Here’s what’s happening:

Frustrated with the platform’s toxicity and manipulation, users are jumping ship to alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky. Twitter’s user base is shrinking, and the remaining community is increasingly polarized.

Big brands don’t want to be associated with the shitshow Musk has created. Major advertisers have pulled their campaigns, slashing Twitter’s revenue and raising questions about its financial future.

Musk’s meddling hasn’t gone unnoticed by regulators. From accusations of violating antitrust laws to concerns over data privacy, Twitter is now a hotbed of legal challenges.

Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter has been a case study in platform manipulation, double standards, and ego-driven decision-making. By prioritizing his own interests over the community’s, he’s turned what was once a vital public forum into a chaotic mess. The “free speech absolutist” narrative? Nothing more than a smokescreen for his authoritarian tendencies.

At the end of the day, Twitter’s descent under Musk is a cautionary tale of what happens when power is wielded without accountability. Users deserve better, and the internet deserves a platform that upholds its principles—not one that bows to the whims of a billionaire with a fragile ego.

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