Elon Musk Controversy: Reddit Communities Blacklist X Links in Mass Protest

Reddit Communities Ban X Links Amid Controversy Over Elon Musk’s Rally Gesture

More than 100 Reddit communities have banned users from posting links to X (formerly Twitter) in protest of owner Elon Musk’s controversial arm gesture at a rally celebrating Donald Trump’s return to office.

The billionaire twice extended his arm in a straight gesture while addressing the crowd, thanking them for “making it happen.” Critics, including historians, have likened the move to a Nazi salute. Musk dismissed these accusations as “tired” comparisons and “dirty tricks.”

However, many Reddit users were unconvinced, labeling Musk’s actions as “hateful.” This led moderators of numerous subreddits to block content linking to X, potentially reducing traffic and engagement on the platform.

Reddit Communities Take a Stand

Subreddits enforcing the ban include prominent groups such as r/NBA (15 million members), r/TwoXChromosomes (14 million members), and r/NFL (12 million members). The BBC has confirmed that over 100 subreddits have implemented the ban, with more than 60 boasting memberships exceeding 100,000.

Fan-led communities for sports teams like Liverpool, Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur, and Formula 1, as well as subreddits for cities, countries, and video games, have also joined the movement. Even subreddits focused on diverse topics such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Disneyland, and the military are participating in the boycott.

Exceptions and Debate

Not all subreddits are on board. Some, like the Maine community, cite official state accounts on X as a reason to avoid the ban. Others, like the British Columbia subreddit, reject the idea of “censorship.”

Impact on X

Subreddits centered on professional sports and gaming may significantly impact X’s referral traffic, as these groups often rely on athlete, analyst, and journalist posts for content. For instance, some of the top posts in r/NBA and other sports communities are screenshots from X.

Despite this, the bans might not be permanent. Reddit has a history of user-driven protests that don’t always result in lasting changes. A notable example occurred in 2023, when communities “went dark” over platform changes but eventually returned to normal operations.

Whether this movement will influence X or Musk remains to be seen. For now, the bans reflect a growing dissatisfaction among Reddit communities with Musk’s actions and response to criticism.

Reference News :- Reddit groups ban X links in protest at Musk arm gesture