Good riddance.
Progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hailing from New York, has expressed her contemplation of closing her account on the social media platform X due to Elon Musk’s recent acquisition. Ocasio-Cortez conveyed to The New York Times that the takeover of Twitter, now known as X, by Musk has significantly altered the landscape of the media.
In response to inquiries from the Times regarding her potential departure from X, where she commands a following of 13.2 million users, AOC remarked, “This is a matter I have been reflecting upon.” She further elucidated, “Observing my usage of the platform, there has been a noticeable decline. Deciding on a definitive disconnection is a subject under active consideration – whether it necessitates a specific incident or is an eventuality over time.”
It was pointed out to Ocasio-Cortez that her largest social media audience is on X. In response, she affirmed, “Absolutely. And that’s precisely why it merits serious consideration,” as she shared with the Times.
AOC voiced her concerns about the perception that her continued presence on the platform might validate the alterations Musk has enacted and legitimize his manner of utilizing X. She admitted, “This is indeed a predicament I have grappled with. In light of these concerns, I have considerably reduced my engagement on the platform, and it’s something I’m wrestling with,” as she explained to the Times.
She went on to share, “My focus has increasingly shifted towards cultivating audiences on alternate platforms. Yet, even now, during critical occurrences such as natural calamities in New York State, I believe it remains vital to possess a reliable messaging platform that people can place trust in. Nevertheless, it remains a discomforting situation.”
Back in May, Ocasio-Cortez had raised the possibility of discontinuing her use of Twitter after Musk endorsed a parody account impersonating her, according to a report by the Independent. On May 30, she tweeted her concerns, stating, “There is an imitation account masquerading as me on this platform, gaining widespread traction. The CEO of Twitter has interacted with it, thereby amplifying its visibility.”
She continued, “False policy statements are being disseminated and gaining traction. I am collaborating with my team to determine the way forward. Meanwhile, exercise caution in your interactions.”
Just last month, Ocasio-Cortez refuted the social platform’s assertion that over 99% of the content witnessed by X users and advertisers is “healthy.” On July 18, AOC tweeted her dissent, declaring, “I have never encountered a higher degree of harassment on this platform than I do now.”