Celebrities don’t want to pay Elon for a blue check

April 1st is the dumbest day on the internet, and it’s not just brands trying to prank you by selling “hot iced coffee” this year. Starting Saturday, Twitter will begin removing blue checks from “ex-approved” users who haven’t signed up for a Twitter Blue subscription. This is all part of new owner Elon Musk’s grand plan to make Twitter profitable, but this particular plan has one glaring problem: If someone with $8 a month can get a blue check, the symbol will no longer be cool (and disinformation will proliferate). but Musk doesn’t seem too worried about it).

Twitter first launched its verification system in 2009 to protect celebrities from impersonation. One of the old St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony opened an account pretending to be La Russa, but instead of asking for the account to be shut down, La Russa sued Twitter. And so, the three-year-old company introduced iconic blue check badge.

Now, we’ve come full circle. Celebrities are one day away from losing their verification badge, and you might think they’d be saddened by the loss of this symbol that was literally created to protect them. Unfortunately for Musk, paying for Twitter Blue is very cheap, so some celebrities have said they won’t pay for the blue check.

Earlier in the month, musician Ice Spice argued: “1M heavy blue checkered wya here :’)”

What he means is that people will know he’s who he says he is, as a scam account can’t compete with his 1.2 million followers. He’s right, but we know that people don’t always click on your profile when they’re not sure you’re real — they can just believe it. insulin is now free (not him).

In those chaotic first few days of Twitter’s new verification program—a time when anyone could instantly receive a blue check, change their account, and impersonate others—basketball superstar LeBron James was one of the first celebrities to impersonate. In an account verified by Twitter Blue, someone posing as James reported that he requested a trade back from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That wasn’t true, but the news spread anyway.

James still doesn’t want to pay for the blue check, he said on Twitter.

James most paid All-time NBA player earning over $40 million a year. That makes it even more ridiculous that he won’t pay.

For some celebrities, it’s not just $8. It’s about his principle. Actor William Shatner tweeted to Musk, “Are you saying now I have to pay for something you gave me for free?”

But at the same time, everyone knows how cool they won’t look if they pay to be approved. Michael Thomas, a wide receiver for the NFL New Orleans Saints, summed it up best: “Nobody wants that ragged blue check anymore 😂”

Patrick Mahomes II, this year’s Super Bowl MVP, also a pretty well-paid athlete, joked that he couldn’t pay the $8 because he had kids to care for.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerer Darius Slay makes an excellent point (and he’s also on the top team in the NFL, don’t check me out, that’s true). If someone wants to impersonate him, then angry Philly fans may accidentally tweet their complaints to the wrong person.

Other stars have taken the time to tell their followers that they are who they say they are even if they lose their check…but they still don’t want to pay for verification. Monica Lewinsky posted a series of screenshots showing what happens when you search for her name on Twitter. There are already many imitators, some of which have paid blue checks.

HE Additional“In what universe is that fair for people who can suffer the consequences for impersonating them? A lie travels half the world before the truth even walks out the door.”

“Seinfeld” actor Jason Alexander has said that if he loses his check, he will leave the platform entirely because of fears of impersonation.

Even New Order bassist Peter Hook weighed in. The 67-year-old British solemnly reminded his fans that he would never sell anything via DM.

Impersonation is clearly a top concern among celebrities (… and journalists), but Twitter Blue has other benefits beyond the blue check. According to Musk, only tweets from verified users will be shown in the “For You” feed. Still, we can’t imagine LeBron being too apprehensive about coveting his tweets. The man has 52 million followers.