Elon Musk Takes a Pause on the Blue Check Subscription
The Blue Badge Saga
Remember the iconic blue tick that made headlines when it flashed—politicians, celebrities, journalists, you name it? That glow now turns into a pricey subscription. Musk wants to keep it in the premium block, but he’s holding back.
Why the Hold‑Out?
- Impersonation Alert: Musk says he’ll re‑launch only when he’s confident the system can stop fake accounts from pretending to be the real deal.
- Different Colors for the Crayola of Community: Plans to use a new checkmark color for companies, leaving individuals with the classic blue.
- 1.6 Million New Users: Musk bragged that the platform hit a brand‑new high last week, bolstering the hype.
What’s the Price? Cheap, Isn’t It?
The new subscription costs US$8 (or around S$11)—the same price that was initially set for the service’s relaunch on Nov 29. That’s a fairly economical way to get your own silver‑to‑gold badge (well, not actually silver).
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
- Advertisers, from General Motors to Volkswagen, are pausing campaigns as they reevaluate their stance on the new ownership.
- Reports of hundreds of employee departures last week after Musk pushed for “long hours at high intensity,” or exit.
- “Toxic Twitter” activists are stepping up pressure, especially after the Trump account got reinstated.
In Short, The Blue Check Isn’t in the Triage Yet
While the blue tick might reappear soon, it’s only when the trust equation is solidified and impersonation threats are marshaled. Until then, Musk and his crew are staying cautious—because nobody wants the blue badge, but nobody wants a fake one either.
