In a shocking turn of events, renowned author Stephen King has announced that he is quitting X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, after alleging that CEO Elon Musk “kicked” him off the platform. The acclaimed writer, who has amassed millions of followers on the platform, took to his social media accounts to express his frustration with Musk’s leadership and the changes that have occurred since his acquisition of X. King’s decision has sparked a significant backlash and raised new questions about the future of the platform under Musk’s control.
In a series of tweets, King explained his decision to leave the platform, claiming that Musk had personally removed him from X after a disagreement over the platform’s direction and the ongoing changes being made to its policies. “I’ve been kicked off by the owner himself,” King tweeted. “It’s a sad day when the people who built a community are the first to be shown the door.”
King has long been an outspoken presence on X, where he engaged with fans, shared his thoughts on books, politics, and other matters, and often interacted with other notable figures. However, in recent months, many users of X, including King, have voiced concerns about Musk’s approach to moderating content, the introduction of paid verification, and the platform’s overall direction.
In his posts, King expressed discontent with Musk’s management of the platform, particularly his controversial decisions regarding free speech and the reinstatement of banned accounts. “This is no longer the platform I once supported,” King said. “When you allow hate speech and harassment to flourish while silencing voices that have always stood for truth and fairness, that’s when I have to draw the line.”
King, who has built a massive following of over 6 million Twitter users over the years, continued to criticize the platform’s new policies, which he believes have undermined the integrity of the platform as a space for open conversation. In particular, he cited concerns over the growing prominence of hate speech and misinformation, which has been a topic of heated debate in recent months.
While King’s exit from the platform is significant, it’s just the latest in a series of high-profile departures from X since Musk’s acquisition in 2022. Several prominent users, including celebrities, politicians, and activists, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the changes Musk has implemented and have either left the platform or significantly reduced their activity.
Musk, for his part, has yet to comment on King’s departure, and it remains unclear whether King’s allegations will lead to further backlash against the platform. However, Musk has been vocal in defending his vision for X, insisting that his policies are aimed at creating a more open, free-speech-oriented platform, despite criticism from many users and watchdog groups.
The incident has reignited discussions about the future of social media platforms and the role of billionaire owners in shaping the direction of digital communities. King’s exit underscores the challenges Musk faces in managing the platform, which has become a battleground for competing views on free speech, censorship, and user safety.
For now, Stephen King’s departure from X signals the ongoing tensions between content creators and platform owners in an era where social media has become a primary tool for communication and influence. As Musk continues to implement his vision for the platform, it remains to be seen whether other prominent figures in the entertainment and literary worlds will follow King’s lead or if Musk can steer X through its current controversies and regain user trust.
