In an unexpected and controversial move, Elon Musk, CEO of the social media platform X (previously Twitter), announced that renowned actor Robert de Niro was permanently banned from the platform. Musk quoted Niro’s “awake presence” as the main reason behind the decision, causing a storm of online debate.

The decision was released in a Post by Musk himself, where he stated: “At X, we are promoting open discussions, no spaces for unilateral and politically charged narratives. Robert de Niro’s continuous rhetoric contradicts this mission. There is no room for his agreed presence on this platform.”

De Niro, known for his french political visions and frequent criticism of conservative figures, has been vocal about his opposition to Musk’s management style and his opinions on freedom of expression. Last year, Niro’s posts on X included strong criticism of Musk’s policies, accusing him of allowing misinformation and promoting divisive ideologies.

Musk’s position, however, was in position X as a bastion of freedom of expression, often allowing controversial figures to share their opinions. However, his decision to ban Niro raised questions about the consistency of this principle. Critics argue that the prohibition highlights a double standard in musk policies, while supporters believe it was necessary to maintain the integrity of the platform.

The prohibition divided public opinion. Musk supporters applauded the change, claiming that it was a necessary step to contain Hollywood’s “awake” influence on social speech. A trend hashtag, #GoodbyEdeniro, came up, with users celebrating Musk’s decision to stay firm against what they describe as “elitist arrogance.”

On the other hand, Niro’s fans and lawyers for freedom of expression criticized the action as censorship. Proeminent figures in Hollywood and politics have come together in support of the actor, with some asking for a boycott of X.

Several actors and directors came in defense of De Niro. In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of platforms such as X providing space for various points of view, even if they dispute popular narratives. “This action defines a dangerous precedent,” said actor Mark Ruffalo. “If a platform claims to support freedom of expression, it cannot arbitrarily silence the voices it disagree.”

The incident rekindled debates about the role of social media platforms in the regulation of content and management of public figures. For Musk, she raises more scrutiny about her leadership style and her vision for X as a space for open dialogue.

It is not yet known if this movement will attract or repel users. While some see Musk’s decision as bold leadership, others see it as an alarming change towards authoritative speech control on the platform.

As for Niro’s, the actor has not yet made a public statement about his ban. However, those close to him suggest that he can use this incident to amplify his criticism of musk policies in other public forums.

This controversy emphasizes the complex challenges of balancing freedom of expression with content moderation in the age of social media, and puts musk X at the center of another point of cultural inflammation.