An unexpected event shook social media last night, when Taylor Swift and the Kardashian family lost millions of followers following a boycott call by Elon Musk. In the space of a few hours, the pop star and the Kardashian clan saw their audiences drop drastically, with Taylor Swift losing more than 5 million followers on Instagram and Twitter, while the Kardashian family lost more than 3 million. A phenomenon that raises questions about Musk’s growing influence on social media.
The trigger for the wave of unfollows appears to have been a post by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), where he expressed support for a boycott movement against some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. In his post, Musk criticized several celebrities, including Swift and the Kardashians, accusing them of not supporting causes he considers important, including free speech and transparency in public affairs. “If you don’t stand up for truth and freedom, you don’t deserve my support or the support of my followers,” he wrote.
Musk’s post was quickly picked up by his millions of followers, prompting some to unfollow these figures en mᴀsse, including Taylor Swift, who has been a leading figure in the movement for artists’ rights and the protection of intellectual property. But this time, she has not escaped the wrath of Musk’s supporters, who criticize her for not being clear enough on certain political and social issues.
When it comes to the Kardashian family, the situation is even more complicated. The clan, known for its ubiquitous media presence, has also been targeted by Musk, who has accused them of promoting superficial values and not making themselves available enough for serious social causes. Kim Kardashian, in particular, lost millions of followers, which has led to a tsunami of comments and speculation about the impact of this loss of audience on the family.
The public reaction was immediate. While Musk’s supporters expressed support for his views, many fans of Swift and the Kardashians were stunned by the mᴀss mobilization. Many expressed disappointment at Musk’s attack, noting that these celebrities have been role models for a variety of causes, including social justice, women’s rights, and the fight against inequality. Some have also suggested that the situation could give rise to a new form of “cancel” culture led by Musk.
The impact of this loss of followers is considerable. For Taylor Swift, whose social media is not only a means of communicating with her fans but also a strategic tool for her music and charity campaigns, the loss of 5 million followers could affect her future plans. For their part, the Kardashian family has always had a special relationship with social media, which has played a key role in their rise. These losses could well call into question the way they interact with their millions of fans.
But the question now is: does Elon Musk, as a major influencer and owner of X, have the ability to redefine the rules of the online game? The X platform, under his leadership, has already undergone several transformations, and this latest episode raises questions about Musk’s impact on social media and how he uses his power to shape public opinion.
Swift and the Kardashian family have yet to publicly address the subscriber loss, but the incident could become a major turning point in how celebrities navigate the social media world, now dominated by figures like Musk. The coming weeks are shaping up to be crucial, with stakes far beyond mere subscriber numbers.
The phenomenon also raises a broader question about the accountability of influencers and celebrities in a world where every post and comment can have a mᴀssive impact. Musk, for his part, seems to have demonstrated his unprecedented influence once again, but this attack on Swift and the Kardashians could also pave the way for a greater awareness among celebrities of the power dynamics that govern social platforms today.