Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has initiated investigations into Elon Musk after he announced plans to reactivate blocked accounts on his social media platform X, Associated Press reports.
The dispute revolves around the judge’s investigation into “digital militias” accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the tenure of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as an alleged coup attempt.
Musk, a self-declared advocate for free speech, challenged the court’s decision, labeling it unconstitutional and demanding the Moreas’ resignation. Musk accused the judge of betraying Brazil’s constitution and people, vowing to prioritize principles over profit. In response, the judge added Musk to the fake news investigation and opened an inquiry into obstruction of justice.
Failure by X to comply with court orders would result in substantial fines. Brazil’s leftist government backed Moraes, criticizing Musk’s actions and advocating for social media regulation to prevent foreign platforms from violating Brazilian laws.
