Several celebrities are leaving Twitter after Elon Musk purchased the platform.
His takeover has sparked concerns about misinformation and hate speech spreading on Twitter.
“Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye,” Shonda Rhimes shared.
Are you thinking about permanently logging off from Twitter? You wouldn’t be alone. Several celebrities, including Toni Braxton and Sara Bareilles, announced that they will leave the social media platform following Elon Musk’s purchase.
The Tesla and SpaceX leader on Thursday officially completed the $44 billion takeover of Twitter. Musk has described himself as a “free speech absolutist,” and his purchase of the platform sparked concerns that Twitter would no longer seek to limit swaths of misinformation or hate speech.
Though Musk said in a statement to advertisers last week that Twitter “obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape,” the billionaire on Sunday tweeted a link to an unfounded report about the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi. He later deleted the tweet.
Some celebrities who have made their exit from Twitter in recent days cited concerns over content on the site, while others simply bid farewell to their followers. USA TODAY has reached out to Twitter for comment.
Here are some of the stars who have announced their departure from the platform..
Shonda Rhimes
The “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator shared with her followers on Saturday that she is “Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.”
Sara Bareilles
“Love Song” and “Brave” singer Bareilles tweeted on Sunday that she will see her fans on “other platforms.”
“Sorry, this one’s just not for me,” she said.
Toni Braxton
“Un-Break My Heart” singer Braxton shared that she is “shocked and appalled at some of the ‘free speech’ I’ve seen on this platform since its acquisition.”
“Hate speech under the veil of ‘free speech’ is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC,” she shared.
Braxton did not cite specific tweets or messages in her post.
Téa Leoni
“Madam Secretary” actor Leoni shared on Saturday that she is “coming off Twitter,” telling her followers “let’s see where we are when the dust settles.”
“Today the dust has revealed too much hate, too much in the wrong direction. Love, kindness, and possibilities for all of you,” she added.
Ken Olin
The “This is Us” producer told his nearly 300,000 followers on Friday that “I’m out of here. No judgement.”
“Let’s keep the faith. Let’s protect our democracy. Let’s try to be kinder. Let’s try to save the planet. Let’s try to be more generous. Let’s look to find peace in the world,” he shared.
Article updated 6 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
