Dictator Nicolás Maduro has lost his government entity verification on social network X (the gray badge), owned by entrepreneur Elon Musk. This event follows a heated exchange between the two, sparked by accusations of electoral fraud in Venezuela.
Maduro, who declared himself the winner in last Sunday’s elections amid allegations of irregularities, previously sported a gray badge on his X profile. This verification is a distinction given to all world government leaders on the platform, including figures like U.S. President Joe Biden.
However, Maduro's account has been downgraded to a blue verification badge, which is available to any user who pays the $8 monthly X Premium subscription. Musk’s decision to remove Maduro’s verification follows similar actions by other social media platforms. Recently, Meta removed the blue badge from Maduro’s accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which indicated he was a recognized personality.
Musk has been an outspoken critic of the electoral process in Venezuela, accusing Maduro of “massive electoral fraud.” On his social media platform, Musk expressed his disdain towards the Venezuelan leader, calling him an “embarrassment.”
Maduro quickly responded, labeling Musk as an “archenemy of Venezuela’s peace” and accusing him of representing a fascist and unnatural ideology, with plans to attack the country “with his rockets and with an army.”
The dispute did not stop there. Musk also retweeted a post from Argentine President Javier Milei, who stated that the results announced a strong opposition to Maduro’s victory. Milei declared that the world expected the Venezuelan government to acknowledge its defeat after years of socialism, misery, and decay.
Maduro, infuriated, called Musk a threat to Venezuela and issued warnings against the magnate. “Elon Musk is desperate, control yourself,” Maduro said. “Whoever messes with me dries up.”
The American magnate continued his attacks, posting messages in Spanish and sharing a video about Maduro’s proclamation. In one of his tweets, Musk declared, “The donkey knows more than Maduro” and added, “Sorry for comparing the poor donkey to Maduro. It’s an insult to the animal world.”
This is not Musk’s first confrontation with foreign governments. Earlier this year, he had a dispute with a Brazilian Supreme Court judge over freedom of speech and misinformation on X.
Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) officially proclaimed Maduro as president, announcing that he won the elections with 51.2% of the votes, despite more than two million votes still needing to be counted.
The opposition, led by María Corina Machado, claimed to have 70% of the voting records and that their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, secured 73% of the votes.
International condemnation was swift. Several countries questioned the results, and in retaliation, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry expelled the ambassadors of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.
This latest episode highlights the tense political situation in Venezuela and the growing influence of social media in global political dynamics.
Understanding the Social Media Clash Between Elon Musk and Nicolás Maduro
The recent conflict between Elon Musk and Nicolás Maduro has drawn significant attention. Here are some frequently asked questions that provide more context and insight into the situation.
Why did Elon Musk remove Nicolás Maduro's government verification?
Elon Musk removed Nicolás Maduro's government verification due to accusations of electoral fraud in Venezuela and a heated exchange between the two, which saw Musk criticizing Maduro's leadership and election process.
What is the significance of the gray and blue badges on X?
The gray badge on X signifies government entity verification, reserved for world leaders and government officials. The blue badge, on the other hand, is available to any user who subscribes to X Premium for a monthly fee.
How have other social media platforms responded to Nicolás Maduro's accounts?
Other social media platforms, such as Meta, have also taken actions against Nicolás Maduro's accounts. Meta removed the blue badge from Maduro's profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which indicated he was a recognized personality.
What was the international reaction to Maduro's proclaimed election victory?
The international reaction was one of condemnation and skepticism. Several countries questioned the election results, leading the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry to expel ambassadors from multiple nations in retaliation.