Billionaire Elon Musk responded cheekily to critics complaining about his decision to charge users a monthly fee of $8 for ‘blue tick’ badges.
“To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8,” Twitter’s self-proclaimed ‘Complaint Hotline Operator’ announced today.
To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022
Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, is clearly enjoying himself as he later shared a YouTube link to an old Monty Python skit, admitting he “totally stole [the] idea of charging for insults & arguments” from the popular British comedy.
Totally stole idea of charging for insults & arguments from Monty Python tbh https://t.co/oFKRyp3BS7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022
Musk’s New Twitter Policy
For context, Twitter’s new CEO Elon Musk, declared on Tuesday that the popular social media platform will charge a monthly fee of $8 for all verified users with a blue tick badge. He added that the price will be “adjusted by country proportionate to purchasing power parity”.
Price adjusted by country proportionate to purchasing power parity
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 1, 2022
The ‘blue tick’ is a verification symbol on social media that lets people know that the account belongs to a known public figure, and has become a sort of status symbol among the social media community.
Prior to the SpaceX chief’s takeover, the verified symbol was given freely to certain tweeps but was not available to all. Musk’s decision that verified users will have to pay a monthly fee just to keep the badge is a Twitter first.
Twitter’s New Overlord
Elon Musk has become the master of Twitterati’s attention after he took control of the $44 billion microblogging platform last week. He immediately sacked some of its senior executives upon arrival, including its CEO, Parag Agrawal, and the Director of Legal Affairs, Vijaya Gadde. He also downsized 75% of the staff to execute his vision and improve Twitter.
Musk is unbothered by the public backlash and nonchalantly celebrated Halloween in a $7,500 costume with his mother Maye Musk last month.
What do you think about Elon Musk’s latest dig at his critics? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
