- Elon Musk is lashing out at Brazil after a Supreme Court judge asked him to delete several X accounts.
- “This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and the people of Brazil,” Musk said.
- His position contrasts with his attitude in China, where he has significant business interests.
The conflict between Elon Musk and the Brazilian government over freedom of expression is intensifying.
On Sunday, the country’s Supreme Court called its refusal of an order to remove several accounts on X a “blatant” obstruction.
These accounts are believed to be linked to digital militias that spread fake news and threats against Brazil’s Supreme Court during the administration of President Jair Bolsonaro. The Associated Press reported.
Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said Musk had launched a disinformation campaign against the Supreme Court and should be investigated.
On Sunday, Musk wrote: “This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil. He should resign or be impeached.”
Musk has positioned himself as a free speech absolutist. He reinstated accounts banned from the platform after purchasing it in 2022 and claimed that bids to restrict misinformation or hate speech violated fundamental rights.
The multi-billionaire, in refusing to ban these accounts at the request of Brazilian authorities, declared that “principles count more than profit” and accused the Brazilian government of censorship.
But his stance on Brazil stands in stark contrast to his attitude in China, a country with some of the most repressive free speech laws in the world, and where Musk has significant business interests.
In China, citizens are subject to global surveillance and those who dare to openly criticize the communist government face draconian sanctions.
X is completely banned in China, as are other social media platforms in the United States, because it refuses to comply with the government’s sweeping data collection or censorship policies.
But Musk has other business interests there, which could influence his attitude toward criticizing China’s repressive policies.
Musk’s Tesla business relies heavily on his Gigafactory near Shanghai, which produces about half of the company’s vehicles each year. A recent New York Times investigation found that Musk took advantage of special concessions the Chinese government gave to Tesla to set up shop there.
In principle, this leaves Musk exposed to Chinese government influence, critics say.
There are reports that Brazil may try to use its own leverage against Musk by suspending contracts with Musk’s Starlink satellite company. The Brazilian government denied the allegations on Monday.
Musk said he would provide Starlink for free if Brazil suspended its contracts. But this incident highlights Musk’s exposure to government retaliation in China and other countries on a far more damaging scale.
Musk’s double standards have long drawn criticism.
“Comrade Elon”, as some celebrated, refrained from making the slightest comment on the Chinese authoritarian model which, for example, causes Twitter to be blocked there. It is clear that he is not become an uncompromising defender of great principles”, declared the French daily Le Monde in an article after Elon Musk’s visit to China in 2023.
When it comes to potentially aggravating China, it appears that Musk’s commitment to free speech is less absolute than he claims.
Business Insider has contacted X and Tesla for comment.
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