Elon Musk’s social media platform X has officially shut down its operations in Brazil, marking a significant moment in the country’s slide into censorship and authoritarianism. The move follows a secret order by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who demanded that X censor specific accounts and threatened to arrest the platform’s representatives if they did not comply.
Moraes has become notorious for using his position to silence critics of Brazil’s socialist President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva. Since Lula’s rise to power, Moraes has led multiple investigations targeting conservative voices, invoking broad powers that many argue exceed his constitutional authority. His actions have been widely condemned as political repression disguised as judicial oversight.
In a statement, X explained the reasons for its exit, emphasizing that the platform’s Brazilian staff had no control over the content in question but were still threatened with legal consequences. “To protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately. The X service remains available to the people of Brazil.”
Musk expressed his concerns about the situation, highlighting the importance of safeguarding free speech. “A reminder that free speech in America is special and we need to do everything possible to preserve it,” he posted on X.
As Brazil’s government intensifies its efforts to control online discourse, the shutdown of X’s local operations serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by unchecked judicial power. Critics warn that Brazil is moving closer to authoritarianism under Lula’s leadership, with Moraes leading the charge in stifling dissent.
