In a shocking and unexpected turn of events, pop icon Taylor Swift publicly lashed out at Elon Musk during the final moments of her Eras Tour in Toronto, criticizing him for his role in the controversial management of X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform Musk now owns. In an impassioned speech delivered during her closing performance at the Rogers Centre, Swift did not hold back, calling Musk “rich, talented but ruthless and immoral,” and stating that she would be leaving the app for good.
The moment unfolded during the encore, when Swift, known for her thought-provoking lyrics and strong opinions on social issues, paused mid-performance. Addressing her captivated audience, she expressed her growing disillusionment with the platform that had once been a key tool for connecting with fans and spreading empowering messages.
“There comes a time when you can’t just sit back and watch,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “A time when you can’t turn a blind eye to the direction things are going. X used to be a place where we could share, connect and express ourselves, but under the current leadership, it’s become toxic. I don’t want it anymore.”
Swift’s comments immediately shocked the crowd, who cheered fans in support of their idol’s stance. The singer went on to explain that while Musk had achieved notable success in fields such as electric vehicles and space exploration, his actions with X had revealed a deeper, more problematic side to his character.
“Being rich and talented doesn’t exempt you from being cruel,” Swift continued. “What matters is how you treat people, how you treat the platform that millions of people use to speak their truths. What Musk has done to X is immoral. It goes beyond business decisions. It’s about what is being done to the voices of so many people.”
The toxicity allegation came amid a series of controversial moves by Musk since acquiring Twitter in late 2022, including the removal of previously suspended accounts, changes to the platform’s moderation policies, and the introduction of paid subscriptions for verification. These changes have drawn criticism from various quarters of the internet, especially from users who feel Musk’s leadership has changed the platform’s tone from one of open communication to one that amplifies hate speech and misinformation.
Fans and critics alike have been watching closely as celebrities and public figures decide whether or not to continue using the platform under Musk’s tenure. While some have left, others have doubled down on their efforts, claiming that the platform still offers value despite its new direction. Swift, however, made it clear that her decision was final.
“I have decided to step away from X. The world deserves better than this. We deserve a space where our voices are heard, not a space where money and power dictate the conversation,” Swift said.
The star’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many praising her for standing up to a platform that is facing increasing scrutiny. Support for Swift’s decision has flooded social media, with fans expressing solidarity with her stance on the issue.
As for Musk, there has been no immediate public response to Swift’s allegations. However, given the high-profile nature of the confrontation, the debate over the future of X (and Musk’s role in defining its direction) is likely to only intensify in the coming weeks.
For Swift, her departure from the platform is a bold and personal decision that reflects her commitment to standing up for what she believes in. Whether or not this marks the end of her relationship with social media remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: she is not afraid to use her platform to challenge those in power.
