Outraged Twitter users are abandoning the microblogging platform after CEO Elon Musk followed through on his threat to remove legacy blue checkmarks.
Elon gave legacy checkmark holders until Thursday, April 20, to pay $8 a month for their checkmarks. But many high-profile users refused.
Those who refused awoke on Thursday to find their blue checks were gone.
Twitter it’s been fun. My account will still be active for now but I will not be on here! Thank you my gay army and all the rest. Love you. pic.twitter.com/I99u43nBnO
— Bella Ramsey (@BellaRamsey) April 21, 2023
On Thursday, Twitter purged blue checkmarks for thousands of legacy holders, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and other high-profile Twitter users.
LeBron James was among those who refused to pay for his legacy checkmark.
According to The Verge, Elon trolled LeBron by paying the $8 for him.
A Twitter staffer emailed LeBron’s representative to “extend a complimentary subscription to Twitter Blue for your account, @kingjames, on behalf of Elon Musk.”
Users who hover over LeBron’s badge see the message: “this account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number.”
LeBron’s rep issued a statement on Thursday confirming the Lakers star did not pay for his blue checkmark.
Hillary Clinton wasn’t so lucky. Elon removed the former presidential candidate’s blue checkmark on Thursday. Clinton’s account has over 34 million followers.
Writer Stephen King complained to Elon in a tweet after he was given a free monthly checkmark subscription courtesy of Elon.
You’re welcome namaste ?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
Actress Alyssa Milano was suspended for complaining about her missing checkmark.
?? crying too much about a blue check
Twitter just got better pic.twitter.com/jynSAVWJEX— Desireé (@Catanach_22) April 21, 2023
The blue checks were handed out for free to celebrities, athletes and other notables under the old Twitter ownership. A blue check next to your name was seen as a status symbol. But not anymore.
Celebrities are big bad over losing their blue check mark because they already paid thousands of dollars out of pocket before Elon charged $8.99 #celebritymeltdown #ElonMusk
— ChristineP (@christineusar) April 21, 2023
The blue checks became worthless once you could pay for them without going through identity verification.
— Nick Wagers (@nawagers) April 21, 2023
“have access to the same status” they think they’re beyoncé because they paid $8 for a checkmark I’m in tears pic.twitter.com/Nsy6Zvbs1S
— Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) April 21, 2023
