Hate speech on X spikes 50% after Musk’s takeover
A new study reveals that hate speech on X surged by 50% in the months following Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media platform.
Research published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open-access mega journal by the Public Library of Science, contradicts X’s claims that exposure to hate speech had decreased.
The study tracked posts from October 2022 to May 2023, showing a sustained rise in hate speech, including racist, homophobic, and transphobic slurs.
Engagement with such content also increased by 70%, highlighting its growing reach.
Despite Musk’s pledge to combat spam bots, researchers found no significant reduction in inauthentic activity on X.
They warn that unchecked hate speech and bot presence can fuel real-world harm and deepen social divisions.
A separate study also found environmentalists’ presence on X dropped by nearly 50% post-Musk, raising alarms for conservation efforts.
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