Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has included Elon Musk in an ongoing investigation into the dissemination of fake news and has opened a separate investigation into the U.S. business executive for alleged obstruction. Justice Moraes cited Musk's public "disinformation campaign" regarding the court's actions and comments made on his social media platform X as reasons for the investigations.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, accused Justice Moraes of suppressing free speech and violating Brazil's constitution. Moraes has ordered X to comply with the court's orders to block certain accounts, but Musk suggested that users could bypass these restrictions using VPNs.
The investigations into Musk are part of a larger probe into a network of individuals known as digital militias who allegedly spread defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices. Justice Moraes accused Musk of obstruction, criminal organization, and incitement, stating that Musk's actions disrespect the sovereignty of Brazil.
In response, Musk announced that X would lift all restrictions on blocked accounts, potentially leading to revenue loss in Brazil. He instructed users to download VPNs to retain access if X was shut down and criticized Moraes' demands as draconian.
Brazil's political right has criticized Moraes for allegedly overstepping his bounds and clamping down on free speech. Former President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters have been targeted in the digital militias investigation, and Bolsonaro himself was investigated in 2021.
Overall, the investigations into Elon Musk by Justice Alexandre de Moraes highlight the complex intersection of free speech, social media regulation, and legal accountability in Brazil. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the future of online discourse and democracy in the country.