The decline of X (formerly known as Twitter) is no longer just a debate: it’s a fact. Since Elon Musk took control in 2022, the platform has shifted from being a space for information, debates, community, memes, etc., to becoming a chaotic environment driven by private interests, where hate, misinformation, and scams not only proliferate but seem to be encouraged and up-to-date. But does it really make sense to stay on X? What would you lose by leaving or gain by staying?
1️⃣ X is a digital landfill
Since Musk acquired the platform for $44 billion, his decisions have been an "experiment" (as he called it) in deregulation and chaos. The moderation systems were dismantled almost immediately, unleashing toxic accounts and extremist rhetoric. The verification system, which used to be a seal of credibility, became a simple monthly $8 payment, allowing trolls and scammers to impersonate public figures and companies. Some notable examples are:
The fake Eli Lilly verification: In November 2022, someone created a fake account for the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, paid for the verification, and posted that insulin would be free. The company’s stock fell 4.37% in a single day, causing billions in losses.
Proliferation of hate speech: According to a report from The Center for Countering Digital Hate, after Musk took control, the use of racist and homophobic terms increased by up to 200% on the platform.
Reinstating controversial accounts: Musk restored previously suspended accounts like those of Donald Trump, Andrew Tate, and Kanye West, despite their history of hate speech or misinformation. Under his leadership, Musk implemented a "general amnesty" for accounts previously suspended for inciting hate or violating the platform’s policies. This included the return of extremist figures, Holocaust deniers, and organized harassment accounts. As a result, X saw a significant increase in hate speech and online attacks, making many users feel that the space was becoming increasingly hostile.
The outcome of all this: a space where valuable content is diluted in an ocean of toxic noise. Posting on X today feels like shouting into a digital garbage dump.
2️⃣ The algorithm no longer works for you, it works for Musk
If you notice that your posts are reaching fewer people, it’s not a coincidence – it’s the reality. X changed its algorithm to prioritize content from users who pay for X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) and almost nothing else, relegating others to oblivion. It was even leaked that Musk ordered engineers to prioritize his own tweets in everyone’s feed. Yes, Musk’s ego is literally programmed into the algorithm.
Thus, even if you’ve worked hard and have millions of followers, your posts might get little or no interaction. Additionally, media outlets and content creators have reported significant drops in their visibility, leading to mass migrations to other platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads in the case of web2.
3️⃣ X is still relevant... but why?
Despite its steep decline, X is still a space where governments, corporations, and power groups manipulate public discourse for their own ends. The impact on politics and society hasn’t disappeared, but now it’s like a battleground for misinformation; it could even be seen as a mockery if you look at it closely.
Let me give you two recent examples:
The war in Ukraine: Elon was criticized for limiting Starlink usage in Ukraine during key moments of the conflict. Additionally, reports suggest that X amplified pro-Russian narratives, raising concerns about its influence on public discourse.
COVID-19 and conspiracy theories: Since Musk removed policies against COVID-19 misinformation, the platform has been flooded with conspiracy theories about vaccines and public health.
This turns X into a sort of window into chaos: you can watch how global discourse is manipulated, and participating actively on the platform exposes you to a toxic and disinformative environment.
https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/twitter-statistics
4️⃣ Advertising on X is a risk for your brand
Advertising on X has become dangerous territory. Many companies have abandoned the platform, worried about the damage to their reputation that could come from having their ads appear alongside extremist content or misinformation. It’s no surprise that companies are fleeing for various reasons, but it says a lot.
Brands like General Motors, Pfizer, Volkswagen, and Balenciaga reduced or eliminated their advertising on X. In November 2023, Omnicom advised its clients to avoid X due to the "potential reputational damage." I imagine they thought, "Do we really want to pay to have our brand mixed with hate speech and propaganda?" Perhaps it’s time to rethink advertising strategies.
5️⃣ Elon Musk: The man behind the chaos
Elon Musk elicits mixed opinions. While he is recognized for his innovation with companies like Tesla and SpaceX, his management of X has been marked by impulsive decisions, personal controversies, and unstable leadership. Let me point out some key moments:
Misinformation policies: In 2024, Musk removed the policy against climate change misinformation, allowing conspiracy theories and climate change deniers to spread unchecked on the platform. This was a blow to X’s credibility as a space for informed debate and raised alarms among scientists and activists who still used the network to educate about the climate crisis.
Rejection of his trans daughter: In 2022, Musk’s eldest daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, legally petitioned to change her name and sever ties with him. In later statements, Musk insinuated that his broken relationship with his daughter was due to "woke ideology" and the educational environment, which he claimed had influenced her. This obviously tarnished his reputation, especially among LGBTQ+ communities, who see him as someone not only lacking personal empathy but also allowing transphobic and hate speech to amplify on X.
Nazi poses and public controversies: In October 2023, Musk was harshly criticized for sharing content on X that many deemed anti-Semitic or that amplified far-right conspiracy theories. This was compounded by a widely circulated photo in which he posed alongside a meme with symbols reminiscent of Nazism. Although Musk denied any anti-Semitic intent, his behavior on social media has fueled a polarizing discourse, exposing his lack of responsibility in managing his public image.
Obsession with popularity and metrics: Since acquiring the platform, Musk has shown erratic behavior, obsessing over his own relevance. According to internal reports, he ordered the X algorithm to be modified so his posts would get more visibility after one of his tweets received fewer interactions than expected. This constant need for attention undermines the professionalism of his leadership.
Mass layoffs at Twitter/X: Musk fired more than 80% of Twitter’s original staff, including key teams in moderation and human rights. This not only deteriorated the quality of the platform but also made it an even more hostile space, leading to multiple lawsuits. His "libertarian" approach to moderation removed any serious attempts to curb extremist content, alienating key advertisers. Companies like Apple, Disney, and Coca-Cola pulled their ads, unwilling to associate their brands with an uncontrolled space. As a result, X has lost hundreds of millions in advertising revenue and is likely to continue its freefall.
The decline of news outlets: Many news organizations have abandoned X or drastically reduced their activity on the platform due to changes in the algorithm and the prioritization of accounts paying for the "X Premium" subscription. This has lowered the quality of information on the platform and amplified the voices of those who can pay, regardless of the accuracy of their posts.
Musk doesn’t just run X; he also uses it as a megaphone for his opinions, decisions, and sometimes impulses. This has led many users to question whether it’s worth staying on a platform so closely tied to such a controversial figure.
So, stay or leave?
The decision is personal. Some users choose to stay because X is still useful for observing trends, interacting with specific groups, or staying updated on certain events. However, if you decide to stay, do so with your eyes open: X is no longer what it used to be, and what’s coming will likely be worse.
On the other hand, more and more people are migrating to platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads, which have emerged as "healthier" alternatives within the scope of what’s possible, though in reality, it’s the people who move the world and ideas. Maybe it’s time to find a new digital home, away from the chaos and toxicity that X represents today — at least that’s what I did.
And, honestly, the real debate isn’t whether X will collapse (because, over time, it seems inevitable). The question is: Do you want to be part of the collapse, or build something better elsewhere? Social media is only as relevant as its communities, so maybe it’s time to look for a new digital home where toxicity and chaos aren’t the norm.
Ultimately, what’s at stake is not just your social media experience, but also what kind of platforms we want to build and support as a society.
References
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/eli-lilly-insulin-price-twitter-blue-prank
https://counterhate.com/blog/the-musk-bump-quantifying-the-rise-in-hate-speech-under-elon-musk/
https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/02/13/hate-speech-on-x-now-50-higher-under-elon-musks-leadership-new-study-finds
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1elddq34p7o
https://usa.inquirer.net/122238/elon-musk-limits-starlink-in-ukraine-to-avoid-ww3
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/elon-musk-spacex-starlink-ukraine/index.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/elon-musks-refusal-to-provide-starlink-support-for-ukraine-attack-in-crimea-raises-questions-for-pentagon
https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/02/12/los-mensajes-de-odio-en-x-aumentaron-un-50-tras-la-llegada-de-elon-musk-cadena-ser/
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/twitter-climate-denial
https://www.them.us/story/vivian-jenna-wilson-estranged-trans-daughter-elon-musk-inauguration-salute
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/elon-musks-transgender-daughter-reacts-to-nazi-salute-claims
https://elpais.com/opinion/2025-02-10/x-una-casa-blanca-en-la-sombra.html
https://livingoceans.org/node/1429
