Numerous users of Twitter, especially reporters and so-called celebrities, appeared very angry over the past few days after the social media platform’s previous system of doling the “verified” blue check marks to only those deemed wroth was ditched, with the new version now granting the checkmark for anyone who is willing to become a paid subscriber.
Twitter CEO Elon Musk’s new model went into effect on 4/20/23, which Breitbart noted is a nod to the “420” meme. Numerous public figures have lost their blue checkmark verifications since.
“So by revoking my blue check mark because I wouldn’t pay some arbitrary fee, someone can just be me and say a bunch of bullshit,” complained Alyssa Milano, whose profile ironically now shows a blue checkmark. “Does that mean Twitter and Elon Musk are liable for defamation or identity theft or fraud?”
So by revoking my blue check mark because I wouldn’t pay some arbitrary fee, someone can just be me and say a bunch of bullshit. Does that mean Twitter and @elonmusk are liable for defamation or identity theft or fraud?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 20, 2023
Milano is not alone; Bette Milder’s online posts seem to indicate she is also quite upset.
“Elon, deciding that I’m not me, I’m a fake, & obliging ME, who has contributed mightily to your platform, (at least until you ‘tweaked the algorithm & tanked my metrics’) to pay monthly because you don’t have enough money & you’re humiliated b/c everyone thinks you’re a pathetic,” she began, before calling Musk a douche.
douche, is the funniest thing you’ve ever done. Let that sink in. Sorry to hear about your rocket.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 21, 2023
One prominent account that reacted to Midler’s gripings was Catturd, who wrote, “Your tears are so delicious – they taste like ice cream.”
Leftist journalist Dan rather shared his own commentary as well, posting, “Today proves yet again that you can’t buy class but you can buy a blue check mark.”
Today proves yet again that you can’t buy class but you can buy a blue check mark.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) April 21, 2023
MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough covered Musk’s new verification system, referring to it as a “dangerous game.”
During the same segment, Scarborough and the other political pundits present on the panel brought up various complaints about the blue checkmark model, including apparent concerns that fraudsters will begin creating phony government accounts in an attempt to dupe people who do not know any better.
Scarborough claimed that the new rules would bring “heartache” and “hardship” to many Americans.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski chimed in, asking, “How about for democracy?”
MSNBC was among several outlets that reportedly lost Twitter verification once the new rule went into effect, along with Fox News and CNN. Other accounts that saw their checkmarks vanish include Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Bill Gates, Pope Francis, former president Donald Trump, and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, according to CNN.
