Thanks to Elon Musk, the Blue Check on Twitter has become nothing but a joke. His latest move has caused even more confusion.
Leading up to the weekend, legacy verified Twitter users were reacting as it seemed they would lose their blue checkmarks on April 1 if they did not pay $8 or $11 for Twitter Blue.
Everyone said no to Musk’s idea—even LeBron James, who is notoriously frugal with his funds, and other notable people plus companies.
Welp guess my blue will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 31, 2023
Even The White House said it would not pay Elon Musk’s Twitter to keep the account verified.
The White House will not be paying for Twitter verification under the new system, according to an email obtained by NBC News. @MSNBC
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 3, 2023
In response to nobody flinching as Musk’s threat to take away their blue checks didn’t work, Twitter did something else. It just updated the language about verification on the platform. No one can distinguish between an account subscribing to Twitter Blue or a legacy verified user or account.
The new description for accounts with blue checkmarks reads, “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account.”
The old policy description read, “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue,” Under accounts that the old Twitter regime gave blue checks, the description previously said, “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”
People quickly saw the jig, pointing out they were not Twitter Blue subscribers. “I just want you all to know that I have never paid Apartheid Elmo $11 for a check, and never will,” author and TV writer Kahana Cauley said in a tweet.
I just want you all to know that I have never paid Apartheid Elmo $11 for a check, and never will. pic.twitter.com/QobNrj6cjk
— Kashana (@kashanacauley) April 2, 2023
I am NOT subscribed to Twitter Blue. pic.twitter.com/b89RE5zP96
— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) April 2, 2023
Business Are Not Paying Either
Twitter is bleeding cash since scaring away advertisers began a program for businesses and organizations charging them $1,000 a month.
Businesses and non-profit organizations have a gold checkmark, and governments have a gray checkmark. As part of that policy, Twitter claims it would waive the fee for its 500 largest advertisers and 10,000 brands, companies, and organizations with the most followers.
Being the bitter man that he is, Phony Stark took away the New York Times gold badge after an exchange on Twitter where someone said the publication would not pay for the subscription. Musk replied, “Oh ok, we’ll take it off then,” adding in another tweet, “NY Times is being incredible hypocritical here, as they are super aggressive about forcing everyone to pay their subscription.”
The New York Times is standing firm, reiterating that it will not pay the monthly fee or reimburse any reporters who pay for verification.
The gallery below shows more reactions to the blue check madness.
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Photo: NurPhoto / Getty
1. Welp
Mr. Musk, this is an insult to politicians like me who were verified before you let the unwashed masses buy Blue Checks. As a Republican politician I would never be caught dead in the cheap seats with the hoi polloi and I demand you remove my Blue Check at once. pic.twitter.com/fC4tcyWY0l
— steven monacelli (@stevanzetti) April 2, 2023
2.
Y’all really out here paying for verification Take my check if you want to… I verified myself
— Jermaine Johnson II (@ii_jermaine) April 3, 2023
3.
Elon Musk’s removal of the blue verified check mark from @nytimes because they won’t pay him $1,000 a month is a badge of honor for the New York Times and proves that “verified” means nothing. pic.twitter.com/h0xpxOR5YB
— Ian (@isexton) April 3, 2023
4.
I’ve been verified for over 10 years, I’m not paying for popularity… if they take it away, so be it.. All the cool kids will be unverified then .. We the ones who made the check mean something and with all the lames with checks now, it means absolutely nothing anymore..
— King Trévon (@TrevonAllworthy) March 31, 2023
5.
I’m not paying no damn $8 a month to keep my twitter verified, I’m waiting for midnight to see if they taking my blue check
— Michael Blackson (@MichaelBlackson) April 1, 2023
6.
ah yes make the check marks between legacy verified and twitter blue subscribers indistinguishable. this’ll help with impersonation.
— shubble (@shelbygraces) April 2, 2023
7.
My blue check now says this and just letting you know from now I would never pay for this shit and I was verified back in 2016. https://t.co/bVkPRWpjXy
— Norman D. Golden ll (@NormanGoldenll) April 2, 2023
8.
9.
Not knowing whether a Blue Check mark is purchased (Blue) or verified (vetted) is a dangerous game @twitter.
This platform is going to shit. pic.twitter.com/hW1p9tuwhL
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) April 2, 2023
10.
This is so frustrating. I worked really hard to get my check years ago and now you can’t even tell. pic.twitter.com/l13FXutiLU
— Karama Horne (@theblerdgurl) April 3, 2023
11.
I have not now, nor have I ever paid to be on Twitter and I don't plan on paying. I have been Bill Duke all of my life, and this Blue Check verification has been on my Twitter for years. I don't like misleading info. This has gotten out of hand. #realbillduke #TwitterBlue pic.twitter.com/psqzMcRNWS
— Bill Duke (@RealBillDuke) April 2, 2023
12.
Took this screenshot in anticipation of becoming blue check-less today.
Surprisingly, it didn't happen… yet.
Any chance this is his idea of an #AprilFoolsDay joke? pic.twitter.com/haZntxwUsS
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) April 2, 2023
13.
LeBron convincing the verified accounts to not pay for a blue check pic.twitter.com/BhVrrTKykx
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) March 31, 2023
14.
You Bought That Blue Check Didn’t You? #gmaccash #bluecheck #Verified pic.twitter.com/nCQb9YBJK2
— GMACCASH (@GmacCash) March 31, 2023
15.
This video is specifically for the your purchased blue check mostly just gets a block folks.
Have a nice day. pic.twitter.com/Dz1wrKym2c
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) April 3, 2023
16.
They can have my blue check fans might tag the wrong name now when someone catch a ball on me!!
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 31, 2023
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