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Source: NurPhoto / Getty / Elon Musk
Since Elon Musk reluctantly dropped $44 billion on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, he has been giving a masterclass on how to ruin something already good. A new report details how one of his ideas, Twitter Blue, was a disaster from the start.
A New York Times report revealed that employees at X, formerly Twitter, tried to warn Musk about the dangers of his dumb idea, Twitter Blue, which allowed users to purchase verified blue checkmarks along with other features was a “dangerous” idea during a meeting at the company’s San Francisco office on November 9, 2022.
According to the report, Musk dismissed the employee’s concerns, telling them to be “adventurous” while eating the snacks in the office. Twitter Blue would go on to be the disaster his employees tried to warn them about as fake accounts with blue checkmarks began popping up instantaneously, spewing out false information and eroding trust among users.
Per The NYT:
“We’re going to be shooting from the hip in real time,” Mr. Musk said, fashioning his hands into a pair of finger guns.
Previously, Blue had been a small part of the company’s business, which relied on advertising for 90 percent of its revenue. Blue allowed a few thousand die-hard users to pay for premium features, like the ability to edit their tweets and customize the Twitter app on their phones, but it never gained much traction. To Mr. Musk, a Twitter obsessive who had purchased the company for $44 billion, the service represented an untapped financial opportunity.
Mr. Musk’s attempt to rescue a company he saw as a sinking ship was premised on the idea that he could persuade people — millions of them — to pay for Twitter Blue. That scheme, however, was doomed from the start by the haphazard planning and capriciousness of Twitter’s owner, whose nearly two-year stewardship of the company has cratered its finances and sullied his reputation as a generational entrepreneur.
Musk eventually shuttered Twitter Blue following its launch before relaunching it again, but the damage was already done, with the platform’s most famous users vowing not to pay for the service.
Phony Stark would also change the company’s name from Twitter to X, a very bonehead decision, and advertisers have shunned the platform.
The Tesla Chief has also begun pushing our right-wing conspiracies, restored Donald Trump’s account, and has endorsed the Orange Menace for president.
We really need Threads or some other app to give us a reason to kick X to the curb.
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Source: @jermainedupri / Twitter
Jermaine Dupri questioned the duties of Vice President Kamala Harris and why she should be president, leading to social media mocking him thoroughly.
On Friday (August 23), the legendary producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri shared a video in a post on X, formerly Twitter, as he was out for a walk/jog to express his thoughts on Vice President Kamala Harris being named the presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention the night before. While he feels the Democrats are doing “amazing” and conceded that Harris was in a strenuous position, he wondered what would be different if she were to be elected in November. “What makes y ‘all believe that she’s going to get this stuff done if she becomes president and she’s already in the house,” he asked.
The So So Def Records founder went on to share details from a conversation he had with Vice President Harris beforehand. “I asked her like as the vice president, why they don’t let her talk when, you know, Biden seems like he needs or he needed someone to speak up to him,” he said, claiming she told him her “hands were tied.” Dupri continued, “You know, I want to see how she, if she even touches on this, because if she doesn’t touch on it, that’s the question that I feel like the people that are, that have mixed decisions about voting for her, this is one of the questions,” stating it’s a major criticism from the Republican Party. The video would earn him some serious backlash on social media, with many making fun of his past split with superstar Janet Jackson and accusing him of being a Trump supporter. He would agree to a discussion with journalist Roland Martin after he reached out to him.
In the Instagram Live conversation, Dupri began: “I’m not a Republican, alright? Let’s be clear: I am with Kamala Harris. Let’s be clear. And I feel like a lot of y’all was just talking s**t ‘cause y’all thought that I was on the other side,” adding “Everybody knows that she’s in the White House, so she has to continue to support what’s happening in the White House right now.” The former News One Now host concurred, saying: “You have more freedom to speak as a U.S. Senator or a House member than you do as a vice president.”
Check out the responses to Jermaine Dupri’s post below.
1. Roland Martin
2. GirlTyler
3. Summer G
4. Vandy Gaffney II
5. Reign of April
6. Mr. Weeks
7. Candice Marie Benbow
8. Kierryk345
9. C. Denise
10. VTBuckeyes
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Source: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / Getty
Former President Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention backing Kamala Harris energized the crowd and those watching on social media.The second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois came to a close with former President Barack Obama taking the podium to deliver a speech that revved up the crowd and those watching via social media. He took the stage after a powerful speech delivered by his wife, the former First Lady Michelle Obama. The crowd rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation as he began, saying “I don’t know about you, but it’s good to be home. I don’t know about you but I’m feeling fired up.. even if I’m the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.” He continued, reflecting on speaking to a similar crowd 16 years ago as he became the Democratic presidential nominee, joking “I know that’s hard to believe because I haven’t aged a bit.” He soon turned to honoring his former vice president, the current President Joe Biden.
The former president would then roast Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. “Here is a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago,” he said, remarking: “There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes,” he said, with the crowd roaring with laughter as he mimicked one of Trump’s recognizable hand gestures. At one point, they booed him mentioning Trump, prompting him to fire back with a signature line: “Don’t boo. Vote!”
Obama would affirm his belief in Vice President Harris. “America is ready for a better story. America is ready for President Kamala Harris. She’ll work on behalf of every American because that’s who Kamala is.” He also praised her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. His tone got more serious as he spoke about making sure to mobilize and vote to protect American democracy.
That feeling was matched by many on social media. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Isiah Sanders wrote of the impact of the former POTUS & FLOTUS’ speeches: “I can usually tell when MAGA gets quiet here on X. They’re quiet, very quiet after Michelle and now Barack.” Others praised Obama’s strong message of inclusivity as a hallmark of American democracy.
Also, Barack Obama created a new meme.
Check out more of the responses to Barack Obama’s speech below.
1. Jennifer Bendery
2. Harry Dunn
3. T. Fisher King
4. Nicole Nichelle
6. CJ Johnson
7. Liz Jenkins
8. Wajahat Ali
9. Ron Filipkowski
10. Jay Black
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Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Michelle Obama spoke before the Democratic National Convention on its second night, moving the audience and social media users watching.Former First Lady Michelle Obama took the stage to address the audience in support of the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and social media was inspired and moved by her words. Mrs. Obama took the stage as part of the trio of headliners closing out the second night of the convention, dressed in an impeccable navy blue dress as she came on after Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. She was greeted with a huge standing ovation by the crowd. “OK! We’ve got a big night ahead!”, Obama said, telling them that it was the first time that she had been back in her native Chicago since her mother passed away. “I was not even sure if I would be steady enough to stand before you, but my heart compelled me to be here because of the sense of duty I feel to honor her memory. And to remind us all not to squander the sacrifices our elders made to give us a better future.”
“Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it?”, Obama asked before continuing: “A familiar feeling that’s been buried for far too long…the contagious power of hope!” The crowd would be rapturous with applause as she touted the attributes of Vice President Harris, imploring the crowd to join her in a call-and-response to support Harris by organizing and voting with the words “Do something!” The former First Lady would also speak about Harris’ commonalities with the American people, especially Black people and other people of color. “She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth.”
Mrs. Obama also took time to knock Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump for his series of attacks on the vice president, referencing his chaotic NABJ appearance last month. “Who is going to tell him the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those black jobs?” she quipped. Social media users were enthralled by her words, with many noting her jabs at Trump and marveling over her poise. “Michelle Obama is literally Beyoncé, and I can’t explain it,” wrote one social media user Jasmyn in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Check out the responses to Michelle Obama’s DNC speech below.
1. Franklin Leonard
2. Nida Khan
3. Melissa Murray
4. Jemele Hill
5. Jazz Lewis
6. Emma Gray
7. Trill Clinton
8. Allen K.
9. Samuel Schwartz
10. sunandcoffee
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Source: Joe Raedle / Getty
Prominent right-wing figures have been spotted attending the Democratic National Convention, prompting social media users to question their motives.The Democratic National Convention [see NewsOne’s Live Updates] entered its second night on Tuesday (August 20) after a much-watched opening night that closed with President Joe Biden as the final speaker. The energy at the DNC appears to be strong enough to attract certain right-wing figures who have been spotted in the audience and around the United Center where the convention is being held. And many on social media have noticed with puzzlement and derision. The first sighting was of notable far-right figure Charlie Kirk, who was seen in the hallway by 13-year-old content creator Knowa who asked him pointedly, “Why did you say that the Civil Rights bill should be overturned?” Kirk, who was off camera, replied, “I didn’t say that. I said it was a mistake.” He then walked off as Knowa responded, “Why? That’s crazy! I wouldn’t be here!”
The conservative podcaster Matt Walsh was spotted in the DNC audience by Bulwark contributor Joe Petricone, dressed in a “White Dudes For Harris” t-shirt and a blazer with buttons supporting the Democratic Party. Speculation from some online revealed that it might be a stunt that would possibly be included in his upcoming documentary for The Daily Wire entitled Am I Racist? The premise of the film is Walsh who is playing “a bumbling, zealous DEI trainee,” to ensure that “DEI is the next pillar of the woke mind virus that’s about to topple,” according to co-CEO Jeremy Boreing who also serves as executive producer.
Florida Representative Byron Donalds was also seen entering the United Center, which was shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter by University of Houston Student Body President Joshua R. Martin. “FASCIST ALERT!!! Doing my “black job” and exposing @ByronDonalds. Not surprised he’s here, I’d be looking for a new candidate too if mine was getting as cooked as bad as his is,” he wrote, capping it off with a laughing emoji.
The appearances from these supporters of Republican nominee Donald Trump drew some concerned reactions from social media users, while others heavily mocked the three figures. One user wrote, “They want to know what its like to attend a fun convention.” Another user named Coco Diva opined, “It’s strategic. They ARE up to something.”
Check out the responses to the surprise MAGA appearances at the DNC below.
2. 2Strong2Silence
3. brooklyncookie
4. Ms. Jamie
5. NetskiD
6. Alex Jewell
7. Hadley Sheley
8. Aud To The Ley
9. Jeffrey
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Source: @joolieanniemarie / Instagram
Social Media has the power to shift culture in just an instant. The latest example is the way that TikTok creator Jools Lebron catapulted the word “demure” into the online collective consciousness.
Lebron, who identifies as a transgender woman, created several videos where she talked about how she presents herself at work as “very demure, very mindful.” The initial video garnered more than 10 million views in the first week. Lebron went on to make more videos using the buzzword and how to achieve these qualities.
She recently told US Weekly that she was motivated to create the videos because there’s been a “lack of empathy and regard for people’s feelings” as well as how they “represent themselves” on social media.
The viral trend has done more than just make Lebron’s catchphrases a household name. According to Variety, she now has made enough money to complete her gender transition.
“One day, I was playing cashier and making videos on my break, and now I’m flying across countries to host events, and I’m gonna be able to finance the rest of my transition,” she said n a recent online post.
The trend jumped from TikTok to X (formerly Twitter) with millions making posts about being “demure.” Further, copycat videos from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez made the trend explode even further.
“I grew up an influencer kid, like, I watched all YouTube and all kinds of stuff like that,” Lebron told US Weekly. “Seeing them do the trend, and just welcome in someone that has loved them, and follow me back and show me my flowers has been everything.”
The trend even made it to The White House.
“When I did start making TikToks, I found more girls like me. I found girls who are plus size who are trans, who are having the same experiences that come uniquely with that set of combinations,” she told CBS News.
Lebron said that she does receive some negative comments on her videos, saying, “I think that people get in survival mode and they forget how they’re also being perceived when they leave a nasty comment or when they’re being rude or whatever,” she noted. “Let’s be demure. Let’s be mindful of why we came. Let’s be mindful because we didn’t come to just be mean girls.”
She continued, “We didn’t come to be messy and this applies to everything: your appearance, your mindset. Be mindful of what you think. Be mindful of your actions, and be demure, modest and reserved. That doesn’t mean a race, a color, an ethnicity, a finance. ‘Demurity’ is being the most thoughtful, mindful version of yourself.”
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Source: Ethan Miller / Getty / Plies
Nobody had on their bingo cards that Hip-Hop star Plies would be one of the biggest political voices on X. The rapper is now sharing his opinion on the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, and his real reasoning behind purchasing the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The always outspoken Plies sees the jig regarding Elon Musk and the real reason he reluctantly dropped $44 billion on Twitter.
Musk bought the platform because he believes in protecting free speech, allegedly. According to the “Buss It Baby” crafter, Musk’s reasons are all political.
Plies Spotting Elon Musk’s Jig
In an August 6 post on Musk’s janky platform, Plies accused the Tesla chief of purchasing it for political reasons and even believes he will shut it down as Donald Trump continues to fall behind in the polls because he is a staunch supporter of the orange menace.
“I Can See Elon Shutting Down Twitter When Trump Continues To Fall Behind In The Polls. He Brought Twitter To Influence The Election. An Before He Accepts A Trump Loss I Believe He’ll Shut It All Down!!!!,” the rapper wrote.
Plies commentary on the matter as Trump prepares to sit down with Musk for what he describes will be the “interview of the century.” Still, we all know nothing of substance will come from it, and we can look back to his sitdown at NABJ and recent “press conference” as evidence of that.
“Elon called me, as you know he endorsed me full throated, a great endorsement,” Trump rambled to reporters. “I respect Elon a lot, he respects me. He told me he is going to have a show Monday, I think Monday night, and he invited me so it’ll be very interesting. A lot of people are talking about it. I look forward to it.”
Riggghhhtttt.
Plies The Political Star
Plies disdain for Donald Trump and unwavering support for the Biden/Harris campaign, and now the Harris/Waltz ticket, has made him one of the few Hip-Hop artists and celebs not out here “Trumpin” around.
His political takes have also made him very popular among Democrats. He is so popular that DNC Chair Jaime Harrison has reached out to him in hopes of getting him to attend the upcoming Democrat National Convention in Chicago.
You can see more reactions to Plies’ observation about Phony Stark in the gallery below.
1. Mmhhhmmmm
2. A better option
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Source: Joe Raedle / Getty
Donald Trump’s wandering press event had people on social media picking apart his wildest false claims and noting his erratic behavior again.On Thursday (August 8), Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump held a press event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump seemed peeved about Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign for president dominating the airwaves, particularly within the past week as she picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. “If Kamala has 1,000 people at a Rally, the Press goes “crazy,” and talks about how “big” it was – And she pays for her “Crowd,” Trump falsely stated during the hour-long event. “When I have a Rally, and 100,000 people show up, the Fake News doesn’t talk about it, THEY REFUSE TO MENTION CROWD SIZE. The Fake News is the Enemy of the People!” He even attacked Walz, claiming he was “heavy into the transgender world”.
He didn’t stop there. In response to his false claim that it was a peaceful transfer of power when he left office, he then falsely claimed that he drew bigger crowds than were present at the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. “Nobody has spoken to crowds bigger than me. If you look at Martin Luther King when he did his speech, his great speech, and you look at ours … we had more,” Trump said, referring to the crowd that would initiate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump also falsely claimed that he was in a helicopter crash with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and also attacked Vice President Harris’ racial identity again, saying she was “very disrespectful” to her Indian and Black heritage. The former president also attacked a reporter asking why he hasn’t been campaigning: “What a stupid question. Because I’m leading by a lot and I’m letting their convention go through. I’m campaigning a lot. I’m doing tremendous amounts.”
The Mar-a-Lago press conference was panned by many on social media who saw it as a desperate attempt to regain attention. Others expressed frustration at the press covering the event without criticizing Trump’s behavior, including MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell who blasted the media for letting “the stupidest candidate” slide. “It was 2016 all over again,” he said. “It would be hard to find a sentence in what Donald Trump said today that did not include at least one lie.”
Check out the responses below.
1. Zerlina Maxwell
2. AmoneyResists
3. TrumpsTaxes
4. Jamie Schler
5. Keith Boykin
6. David Hogg
7. scary lawyerguy
8. Keith Edwards
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Source: ELIJAH NOUVELAGE / Getty
Social media users had a field day mocking Donald Trump after his slur against Kamala Harris’ racial identity during an NABJ panel.On Wednesday (July 31), Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump took part in a contentious interview at the National Association for Black Journalists convention. Trump disparaged Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris by questioning her racial identity. “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black,” he said.
The comment stunned those present and sparked a major backlash among those online who watched the live stream of the event, which ended a half-hour earlier than expected due to Trump’s aggressive behavior toward ABC News’ Rachel Scott, one of the moderators of the interview along with Fox News’s Harris Faulkner and Semafor’s Kadia Goba. But comedian and former Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. seized the opportunity to mock Donald Trump in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “We now know Kamala’s brave story. When did the rest of you “turn” black? How old were you? Where were you when the blackness finally took over your body? Share your stories. This is a safe space,” Wood wrote, using the hashtag #WhenITurnedBlack.
Other users on the platform ran to roast Trump for his racism. One X user, IamRanaTerrell, wrote: “I turned Black when I opened a cookie tin and saw barrettes, rollers, and Bobby pins.” Another user, n16thekid, wrote: “I transferred to a predominantly white middle school, and one day my less-educated caucasian compatriots asked me to, “Stop speaking hood,” because they didn’t know words like “convection” (which were on the worksheet) My melanin truly ascended that day!”
The fallout from Trump’s comments about the vice president hasn’t stopped him and other Republicans from attacking her about her racial identity. She acknowledged them while speaking at the Sigma Gamma Rho’s 60th International Biennial Boulé in Houston, Texas later that day. “This afternoon, Donald Trump spoke at the annual meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists.” Harris said, pausing as the crowd booed before continuing: “And it was the same old show: the divisiveness and the disrespect. And let me just say, the American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth.”
Check out some of the best responses to the #WhenITurnedBlack trend below.
1. Wanda M. Morris
2. Michael Tubbs
4. Maci Peterson Philitas
5. Akilah Hughes
6. Yasmin Angie
8. Tonya McKenzie
10. Write Life
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Source: Samuel Corum / Getty
A Republican congressman called Kamala Harris a “DEI Vice President”, sending social media users into a fury.As Vice President Kamala Harris is securing the nomination to be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Republican politicians have begun to make their attacks. Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett has become a more vivid example of this thanks to a post he made on X, formerly Twitter on Monday (July 22). “The incompetency level is at an all-time high in Washington. The media propped up this president, lied to the American people for three years, and then dumped him for our DEI vice president,” Burchett wrote in the post which included a video of his appearance on News Nation.
Burchett doubled down on statements that he made to CNN’s Manu Raju in an interview earlier. “Biden said, first off, he’s going to hire a Black female for Vice President, and he just skipped over – what about white females, what about any other group?” he said. When Raju followed up by asking if she was a “DEI hire”, Burchett replied “100%” before saying her record was “abysmal”. The interview took place during a House committee’s interview of now-former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle over the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The congressman has been in hot water before, infamously claiming “We’re not gonna fix it” in response to a question about politicians preventing school shootings last year. Burchett is also a fervent supporter of Trump, who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election and refused to hold Trump accountable for his effect on the January 6 insurrection as well as refusing to vote for his impeachment. He’s also attacked Vice President Harris in a past interview with Newsmax, saying: When I hear her talk, I just scratch my head and think this is what DEI is really about. It clearly is. She checks all the boxes. She’ll say she’s of Indian descent one day, then she’ll say she’s of Black descent. It’s just box-checking.”
Those who saw his statement on social media were thoroughly incensed and made it known in their responses defending the country’s first Black, Asian, and woman vice president. One response to Burchett’s post from X user Richard Slaney listed Harris’ previous posts, ending with “She’s very, very qualified.” Another user flatly responded, “If you’ve got a second and want to explain to us how this isn’t racist, go ahead.”
Take a look at the more withering responses to Burchett’s post below.
1. W Kamau Bell
2. Tan01234
3. Neeners777
4. Renegade Cowboy
5. IrishDem
7. Brian Angelle
9. ABPrice PsyD