Le Monde has ceased sharing its content on X (formerly Twitter) due to Elon Musk’s increasingly partisan use of the platform, which has rendered Le Monde’s presence less effective and more vulnerable to negative consequences. This decision follows the platform’s transformation into an extension of Musk’s political actions, blurring the lines between commerce and ideology. The resulting rise in toxicity and reduced visibility prompted Le Monde to prioritize its content elsewhere, recommending similar action to its journalists. Concerns about other platforms, particularly TikTok and Meta, are also prompting increased vigilance.
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Following a brief shutdown, TikTok resumed service after President-elect Trump intervened, pledging an executive order to allow more time for a sale to a US buyer. This action has been met with skepticism, with critics alleging the situation is a calculated “scam” to portray Trump as a savior of the app, despite his prior calls for a ban. The incident raises concerns about potential influence over tech companies and the circumvention of existing federal laws. Trump’s shift in stance, coinciding with increased TikTok following and his claim of its electoral impact, underscores the political complexities surrounding the app.
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TikTok Starts Going Dark in the U.S.
TikTok’s sudden disappearance from the U.S. digital landscape has sent shockwaves through the internet, leaving millions wondering what just happened. The experience has been likened to the snap disappearance of characters in *Infinity War*, with countless users expressing their bewilderment online with posts like, “Wait, WTF is actually happening?”. It’s a situation evoking similar mass online searches seen after Brexit (“What is the EU?”) and the last U.S. election (“What is an oligarchy?”), showcasing the widespread confusion and uncertainty.
The official message appearing on the app, suggesting President Trump’s intervention to reinstate TikTok, feels disingenuous.… Continue reading
A truly horrifying case has emerged from Australia: a woman is accused of poisoning a one-year-old girl with prescription medication over several months. The alleged motive is even more chilling – to exploit the child’s suffering for online donations and gain social media followers. The sheer cruelty of this act leaves one speechless.
This isn’t just a case of neglect or even simple abuse; it’s a calculated, sustained campaign of poisoning, meticulously documented and shared online to garner sympathy and financial support. The woman filmed the child’s deteriorating health, using the videos to tug at the heartstrings of potential donors, leveraging the inherent human desire to help those in need to line her own pockets.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court is considering a case challenging a law mandating TikTok’s sale due to national security concerns, with arguments focusing on free speech versus national security. President Trump, despite previously supporting a ban, now urges a delay to allow for a political resolution, a highly unusual intervention. TikTok argues the law violates free speech and that a shutdown would severely harm users and the platform. The court must decide on the appropriate level of legal review, with a strict scrutiny standard likely leading to the law’s invalidation.
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Following his resignation from Congress, former Representative Matt Gaetz sparked online ridicule after misspelling “martial law” as “Marshall Law” in a tweet comparing South Korea’s brief implementation of the measure to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID-19 restrictions. The post, which garnered over 680,000 views, drew widespread mockery from social media users questioning Gaetz’s legal expertise. This incident further fueled existing controversies surrounding Gaetz’s qualifications and political judgment. His tweet highlighted the contrast between his political rhetoric and his apparent lack of attention to detail.
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Colorado Representative Matt Soper issued an apology following a controversial social media post celebrating the death of former President Jimmy Carter. The initial tweet, which described Carter as a “despot” and the “worst president in the history of the U.S.,” sparked immediate outrage. Soper’s statement expressed joy at Carter’s passing and asserted that the country was still suffering from his presidency, even generations later. This claim is particularly striking considering Soper was born well after Carter left office. The tone of the post, celebrating the death of a former president, was widely considered insensitive and inappropriate.
The reaction to Soper’s tweet was swift and overwhelmingly negative.… Continue reading
President-elect Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reiterated a previous directive to all nominees to refrain from social media postings without White House counsel approval, emphasizing that no one in the incoming administration speaks for the President-elect. This instruction comes ahead of Senate confirmation hearings, a process expected to be challenging for some nominees given the narrow Republican majority. While the memo wasn’t a direct response to recent social media controversies, it reinforces the need for strategic communication. Several nominees, including those facing significant scrutiny, have complied with the directive and are actively engaging in closed-door meetings with senators to secure support.
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Senator Tommy Tuberville’s Christmas Eve claim that President Trump “brought Christmas back to America” sparked widespread mockery on social media. Many users pointed out the absurdity of the statement, highlighting the continuous celebration of Christmas regardless of presidential administrations. While some fellow Trump supporters agreed with Tuberville, the majority of responses ridiculed the senator’s assertion. This incident follows Tuberville’s recent defense of Trump’s cabinet picks, further illustrating his unwavering loyalty to the former president.
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Elon Musk’s assertion that X’s users constitute “the media now” is demonstrably false. The platform primarily amplifies misinformation spread by partisan influencers, not credible journalism. Musk himself, despite possessing significant newsworthy information and access, fails to utilize X responsibly, instead denying or withholding crucial details. Therefore, X functions more as a misinformation platform than a legitimate news source, undermining Musk’s claim.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood