‘Threat To Freedom’: Elon Musk's Fresh Attack On Brazil Amid Feud Over Freezing X Accounts

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has intensified his feud with Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes, following a recent court order that suspended X in Brazil. The suspension comes amid a months-long dispute over alleged disinformation. De Moraes' order prohibits X from operating in the country until it complies with previous court directives and appoints a local representative. The judge also froze the financial assets of Musk's satellite network, Starlink, and imposed fines totaling 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) on X.

Musk accused De Moraes of being an "evil dictator" and of undermining democracy by targeting X for alleged political reasons. 

He claimed the judge is engaging in serious election interference and warned that former Twitter employees might have been complicit. De Moraes had previously ordered the suspension of accounts linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, which prompted Musk’s backlash.

“There is growing evidence that fake judge engaged in serious, repeated & deliberate election interference in Brazil’s last presidential election. Under Brazilian law, that would mean up to 20 years in prison. And, I’m sorry to say that it appears that some former Twitter employees were complicit in helping him do so. Anyone with examples or evidence to this effect, please reply to this post,” Musk said in a post on X. 

Earlier Musk branded Alexandre de Moraes an "evil dictator cosplaying as a judge".

He also accused him of “trying to destroy democracy in Brazil.” "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes," he wrote on X.

"They're shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil," Musk added.

Ban on Elon Musk's X in Brazil

The Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes has imposed a suspension on Elon Musk's social media platform, X, which will remain in effect until the company meets all court orders, including paying 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) in fines for previous non-compliance. The suspension will continue until X appoints a local representative in Brazil. Additionally, Moraes has frozen the financial assets of Musk’s Starlink, blocking its accounts in the country. 

Moraes had given Musk 24 hours to appoint a new representative, warning of suspension if the deadline was missed. As the deadline passed, X claimed the shutdown was a result of Moraes' “illegal orders to censor political opponents.” X has over 22 million users in Brazil.