In Brazil, a judge has launched an investigation into Elon Musk for obstruction of justice after the tech mogul declared he would not comply with a court order to remove certain accounts accused of spreading disinformation on his platform, X. The Supreme Court Justice, Alexandre de Moraes, has initiated the probe to determine if Musk, who owns X, engaged in obstruction, criminal organization, and incitement. De Moraes stated that Musk’s actions disrespect Brazil’s sovereignty and ordered X to refrain from disobeying judicial orders, threatening fines of 100,000 reais per day for each account reinstated in defiance of the court order.
Following the announcement of the court order, Musk criticized the judge on X, accusing him of betraying the constitution and people of Brazil. Musk suggested that the judge should resign or be impeached and stated that principles matter more than profit, implying that X might have to shut in Brazil. Additionally, Musk vowed to publish everything demanded by de Moraes and expose how those requests violate Brazilian law. Brazil’s Solicitor General Jorge Messias, a member of the government, expressed support for de Moraes, emphasizing the need to prevent foreign billionaires from controlling social networks and disregarding the rule of law.
De Moraes is a divisive figure in Brazil known for spearheading efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech online. Many view him as a protector of democracy while others see him as a threat to it. He has been overseeing an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro over allegations of planning a military coup before his defeat in the 2022 presidential elections. The Superior Electoral Tribunal led by de Moraes banned Bolsonaro from running for office last year due to spreading false information about the electoral system. Musk met Bolsonaro in 2022 and received praise from the former president, who described him as a “legend of liberty” and praised his presence as something spiritual.
The ongoing dispute between Musk and the Brazilian judge highlights tensions surrounding freedom of speech and the regulation of social networks in the country. Musk’s defiance of the court order and public criticism of the judge have sparked a legal investigation into potential obstruction of justice. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for X’s operation in Brazil and further debates on the appropriate balance between online platforms, legal authorities, and principles of democracy. The situation also underscores broader concerns about the influence of foreign tech billionaires in domestic affairs and the need to uphold national sovereignty and the rule of law.
