Ever since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion last year, the social media platform has undergone significant changes under his leadership.
From staff layoffs to policy modifications, Twitter looks quite different now compared to a year ago.
One of the features that has drawn criticism is the verification badges, commonly known as the blue ticks, which Musk has altered.
Previously, blue ticks were awarded to users and companies with a large following.
However, Musk has introduced a new system where users now have to pay $8 per month to obtain a badge for their Twitter account.
Companies, on the other hand, are required to pay a hefty sum of $1,000 for the verification tick.
Recently, Musk removed verification badges from approximately one million users, but some have had it reinstated or not removed at all, which has caused controversy.
Stephen King, the renowned author, tweeted on April 20th to clarify that he had not subscribed to Twitter’s new subscription service, despite having the blue tick on his account.
Musk responded to King’s tweet, saying, “You’re welcome namaste.”
The conversation seemed to quiet down for a few days, but King later replied to Musk, suggesting that he should donate his blue tick to charity, specifically recommending the Prytula Foundation, which provides life-saving services in Ukraine.
King also hinted that Musk could add more than just the $8 subscription fee.
Musk, known for his bold and unfiltered responses, replied to King in his characteristic style, stating, “I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated? (We turned down the DoD money btw).”
Musk’s reply seemed to challenge King’s suggestion and highlight his own philanthropic efforts.
The exchange between Musk and King has captured attention on social media, with many curious to see if King will respond further, potentially leading to an intriguing Twitter feud.
Meanwhile, Musk’s leadership of Twitter has been controversial, with criticisms over the changes he has implemented, including the introduction of paid subscriptions for verification badges.
Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the new system, feeling that it monetizes a feature that was previously based on merit and authenticity.
Despite the controversy, Musk has been actively involved in philanthropy, including his recent $100 million donation to Ukraine, as mentioned in his response to King.
However, his leadership of Twitter and the changes he has made continue to be debated and scrutinized by users and the public alike.
As the situation between Musk and King unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will be resolved and whether it will have any impact on Twitter’s policies and practices in the future.
In the meantime, the Twitterverse eagerly awaits further developments in this intriguing exchange between the tech mogul and the famous author.
