Reddit users rage against Elon Musk: calls for X ban erupt across subreddits

A number of users on Reddit are calling for a ban on links to X (formerly known as Twitter), sparked by Elon Musk’s  gesture during President Trump’s inauguration that was eerily similar the ‘Seig Heil.’ 

The calls for a ban began in sports-related subreddits and are gaining traction, with multiple communities discussing whether to sever ties with the platform entirely.

The discussions started earlier this week in the r/hockey subreddit, which boasts 2.7 million members, and quickly spread to other sports forums such as those dedicated to the Premier League and NFL.

Users voiced concerns over Musk’s controversial leadership, including the platform’s increasing association with hate speech, far-right rhetoric, and user-unfriendly interface changes.

Many expressed frustration with changes, such as requiring non-logged-in users to create accounts to view posts.

For Reddit users, sports content linked to X has been a point of contention. Game highlights, breaking news, and other updates are often shared via X links, but many users, particularly those who do not have X accounts, can no longer access these posts.

This has led to growing dissatisfaction with the platform, with some users calling for alternatives like Threads or Bluesky.

While sports have long been a significant reason for many to stay on X, recent shifts are making it clear that users are exploring other options. Professional sports teams and journalists have increasingly embraced Bluesky, which may signal a change in how sports news is consumed.

Despite the growing sentiment on Reddit, not all communities are in agreement. In the r/Chelsea subreddit, a moderator quickly shut down posts advocating for a ban on X links, prompting backlash from some users.

Other subreddits, including those for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, have removed similar posts, sparking further debate within their communities.

A few subreddits, however, have already implemented bans on X links. Nottingham Forest’s subreddit has taken the step, though the momentum for wider change remains slow and fragmented.

Moderators in many sports subreddits have stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the future of X links within their communities.

The controversy surrounding Musk intensified following his appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, where his arm gestures were widely criticised as resembling a Nazi salute.

Musk dismissed the allegations, claiming they were a tired "dirty trick" and not a Nazi salute. However, the incident has contributed to the backlash against him, with some Reddit users drawing connections between the gesture and his controversial statements and actions.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) offered a cautious response, suggesting Musk’s gesture appeared to be an "awkward" one but urging grace and understanding in the charged political climate.

Others, including Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, have condemned Musk, citing his history of controversial stances and his platform’s role in proliferating hate speech. ADL’s statement has also received much criticisms from social media users.

As the debate continues, it remains uncertain whether this movement to ban X links will grow into a significant shift in how Reddit users engage with social media content.

For now, many Reddit sports communities are weighing their options as they navigate the intersection of online culture, Musk’s leadership, and the future of digital platforms.

This is not the first time Elon Musk’s actions have drawn comparisons to Nazi ideologies. In a recent opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, Musk defended his backing of Germany’s far-right AfD party, which led to the resignation of a senior editor.

Musk reiterated his remarks from December 20, asserting that "only the AfD can save Germany" and labeling the anti-immigration party as the "last hope for the country" on the "verge of cultural and economic collapse."

While Germany’s domestic security agency has classified some AfD factions as "extremist," Musk dismissed this as "clearly false." The AfD, meanwhile, has denied accusations of being a Neo-Nazi party, despite various allegations.

Additionally, Musk has recently shown support for an anti-Pakistan narrative endorsed by Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP linked to India’s Shiv Sena (UBT) party.