Reddit vs. Musk: Subreddit Banned Amid Explosive Clash Over Free Speech and ‘Illegal’ Comments
The conflict between Reddit users and Elon Musk has intensified. Reddit has temporarily banned the popular subreddit r/WhitePeopleTwitter for 72 hours and removed another community after Musk accused users of “breaking the law.”
The subreddit, known for sharing funny posts from X (formerly Twitter), faced criticism after some users posted inflammatory comments calling for violence against employees of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). These comments were triggered by reports suggesting Doge staff might have access to sensitive personal data of millions of Americans.
Musk, who calls himself a champion of free speech, didn't hold back. He reposted the comments on X, stating, “They have broken the law.” Soon after, Reddit acted quickly, suspending the subreddit.
While Reddit did not comment directly, it referred to a public post: “Debate and dissent are welcome on Reddit—threats and doxing are not.”
This move has raised eyebrows, given Musk’s history of criticizing legal actions against online speech. In 2024, he even mocked the UK’s online arrest practices, asking, “Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?”
Critics quickly pointed out the irony. Imran Ahmed, head of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), said: “It’s always one rule for Elon, another for everyone else. His idea of ‘freedom’ seems to mean doing whatever he wants, no matter the cost.”
Musk’s feud with CCDH isn’t new—he sued them in 2023 over claims they unlawfully accessed X’s data to report rising hate speech. The lawsuit? Dismissed in 2024.
Tensions Hit a New High
The drama doesn’t stop there. Musk’s tensions with Redditors have been building after more than 100 subreddits banned links to X in protest of his controversial gesture at a Trump rally. Critics, including historians, compared it to a Nazi salute. Musk’s response? He called the comparisons “tired” and “dirty tricks.”
With each clash, the lines between free speech, accountability, and personal power become even more blurred. And the internet is watching.