Australian PM calls Elon Musk an ‘arrogant billionaire’ in row over attack footage
Australia’s leader has accused Elon Musk of being an “arrogant billionaire” amid a growing dispute over X’s refusal to remove footage of a church stabbing.
Following a court order on Monday instructing Mr. Musk’s social media company – formerly known as Twitter – to conceal videos of the recent attack in Sydney, X initially stated it would comply “pending a legal challenge.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s rebuke came after Mr. Musk used a meme to allege government censorship.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, Mr. Albanese criticized Mr. Musk, stating that he “believes he’s beyond the law and common decency.”
Last week, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner warned X and other social media platforms of significant fines if they failed to remove videos of the stabbing at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church, which authorities labeled a terror incident.
X argued that the directive was “beyond the jurisdiction of Australian law.”
The commissioner sought legal action after observing that X was still allowing users outside Australia to access the footage.
Mr. Albanese expressed his astonishment at X’s refusal to comply, stating at a press briefing, “I find it remarkable that X has chosen not to adhere and is attempting to defend their position.”
In a subsequent series of online remarks, Mr. Musk thanked the PM for highlighting that his platform is “the sole truthful one.” He also shared a post depicting a path to “freedom,” reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz, leading to an X logo.
Earlier, he also criticised eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant personally, describing her as the “Australian censorship commissar”.
Mr Albanese defended Ms Inman Grant, saying she was protecting Australians.
“Social media needs to have social responsibility with it. Mr Musk is not showing any,” he said.
The platform will have 24 hours to comply with Monday evening’s injunction, with a further hearing into the matter expected in the coming days.
X and the eSafety Commissioner are already involved in legal proceedings over the platform’s alleged failure to provide information over how it tracks and removes child abuse material online.
