After Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, the social media site is likely to change in several ways in the near future. Because of this, a number of well-known people have said they will stop using Twitter.
Musk’s plans to change the social media app got responses from well-known people in fields like sports and entertainment. Musk is on to make changes like making it easier for people to say what they want, adding a “revamped” verification process, and letting former President Donald Trump’s account back online.
The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilisation to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence,
Musk wrote in a statement last month, tweeted from his account.
There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society.
Human rights groups have already said that they are worried that if these proposed policies were put into place, the platform could make it easier for hate speech to spread. A study from Montclair University that came out on October 28 found that there was more hate speech in the hours after Musk’s purchase went into effect.
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, people have been talking about different things in different ways. Some people, like Josh Gad, were very open about how hard the decision was for them:
Large exodus happening on this platform. Not sure if I stay or not. Leaning toward staying, but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is,
the actor tweeted.
LeBron James posted a message on Twitter saying that he hoped “Musk and his people take this very seriously” in response to a report about the rise of hate speech.
Stephen King responded to rumors about a possible new verification process by tweeting that if he had to pay to keep his blue check mark, he would “be gone.”
Some people left the platform completely. Below is a list of some of the famous people who decided to post what they say will be their last tweet, at least for now.
Trent Reznor
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter on November 19, the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails said that he planned to leave Twitter for a number of reasons, including that it had become a “toxic environment” and that Musk’s leadership had turned him off.
I’m about to depart,
Reznor said.
We don’t need the arrogance of the billionaire class to feel like they can just come in and solve everything.
Musk called Reznor a “crybaby” on Twitter in response to his claims.
And it turns out that Trent “nine inch nails” Reznor is actually a crybaby 🤣
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 21, 2022
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an actor and the host of “The View.” Earlier this month, she said on the show that she is “done with Twitter.”
.@WhoopiGoldberg says on #TheView that "as of tonight," she's "done with Twitter."
"I'm going to get out, and if it settles down and I feel more comfortable, maybe I'll come back." https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/0Ih9fp9yHG
— The View (@TheView) November 7, 2022
Gigi Hadid
The model Gigi Hadid wrote on her Instagram story that she doesn’t like Twitter’s new leadership or where it’s going.
For a long time, but especially with its new leadership, it’s becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate & bigotry, and it’s not a place I want to be a part of,
she wrote in part.
Gigi Hadid announced she has quit Twitter following Elon Musk takeover:
“Especially with its new leadership, it’s becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate & bigotry, and it’s not a place I want to be a part of.” pic.twitter.com/NM3LdOd7pn
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 6, 2022
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of “Grey’s Anatomy” and an executive producer on the show, said in a tweet last month that she is “not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned.”
Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 29, 2022
Toni Braxton
The R&B singer Toni Braxton, who has almost 2 million followers, tweeted last month that she is “shocked and appalled” by some of the “free speech” she has seen on Twitter “since its acquisition.”
Hate speech under the veil of ‘free speech’ is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC,
she wrote.
I'm shocked and appalled at some of the "free speech" I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of "free speech" is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC.
— Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton) October 29, 2022
Sara Bareilles
The singer of “Love Song” and “Brave,” for which she won a Grammy, told her nearly 3 million followers on Twitter last month that she will see them “on other platforms.”
It’s been fun Twitter. I’m out,
the singer tweeted.
Sorry, this one’s just not for me.
Welp. It’s been fun Twitter. I’m out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one’s just not for me. ❤️🙏🏼
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) October 30, 2022
Erik Larsen
The creator and artist of “The Amazing Spider-Man” confirmed to NBC News in an email that he is no longer using the social networking site Twitter.
It is said that the artist tweeted in April,
the day Elon Musk buys Twitter is the day I delete my account and leave Twitter.
I said I would leave if Musk bought Twitter. Musk bought Twitter,
he told NBC News.
So, I had no choice. The move only emboldened those most toxic users. The racists, ‘patriots’ and creeps are back in full force.
Téa Leoni
Téa Leoni, who is best known for her role on the TV show “Madam Secretary,” said on Twitter that she would stop using the app.
I’m coming off Twitter today — let’s see where we are when the dust settles,
she wrote.
Today the dust has revealed too much hate, too much in the wrong direction.
Mick Foley
Mick Foley, a former professional wrestler who is now an actor, said last month that he is “taking a break” from Twitter because of “the new ownership and the misinformation and hate it seems to be encouraging.” The statement was posted on his official Facebook page.
I really do enjoy connecting with all of you on social media, but it can get overwhelming sometimes. I think I’ll be back on in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I will continue to post on Facebook and Instagram,
he wrote.
Please vote if you can too — our democracy seems to be hanging on by a thread,
he added.
Ken Olin
Ken Olin, an executive producer on “This Is Us” and a former star of the drama series “Thirtysomething,” tweeted last month that he’s “out of here” to his nearly 300,000 followers.
Let’s keep the faith. Let’s protect our democracy. Let’s try to be kinder. Let’s try to save the planet. Let’s try to be more generous. Let’s look to find peace in the world,
he wrote, ending with a blue heart emoji.
Hey all –
I’m out of here. No judgement.
Let’s keep the faith.
Let’s protect our democracy.
Let’s try to be kinder.
Let’s try to save the planet.
Let’s try to be more generous.
Let’s look to find peace in the world.
💙— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) October 28, 2022
