Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Major X (Twitter) Outage Disrupts Service for Thousands of Users Nationwide
Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a significant nationwide outage on Friday, impacting numerous users across the United States. The disruption, which prevented users from accessing the app and website, marks another challenge for the platform under Musk’s ownership.
Outage Details and User Reports
The widespread X outage began around 2:30 PM Eastern Time (ET), as users reported being unable to access the platform’s application and website. Downdetector, a service that monitors online outages, indicated that the disruption was primarily affecting the eastern part of the U.S.
Reports of issues surged rapidly, with over 50,000 X users submitting problem reports to Downdetector by 3:00 PM ET. While the problems initially appeared to be concentrated in the eastern region, reports soon highlighted major Midwestern cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Minneapolis as heavily affected areas.
Users in other major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, also reported being unable to access the social media platform via Downdetector.
The majority of reported issues stemmed from users attempting to access the X application.
Some users expressed frustration directly towards Elon Musk, referencing his wealth and demanding platform stability. Other users briefly feared account bans after receiving error messages suggesting they were unauthorized to access X services, including Grok 3, the platform’s AI chatbot.
Financial Impact and Broader Context
Despite the Friday afternoon service interruption, the social media company’s valuation on Wall Street remained relatively stable, with X stock holding steady at approximately $43 per share. Financial analysts at the Financial Times recently valued X at $44 billion this month, the same price Musk paid to acquire the company in 2022.
Tesla Under Scrutiny Amidst Protests and Vandalism
This X outage occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny and attacks targeting Tesla, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company. Tesla has become the subject of protests at dealerships and instances of vandalism, including arson targeting electric vehicles.
Incendiary Devices Found at Tesla Showroom
On Monday morning, authorities responded to a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, following a report of bomb threats. Police discovered multiple ‘suspicious devices’ inside the electric vehicle dealership after an anonymous call alerted them to the presence of explosives within the building. The Austin Police Department Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene to investigate. It remains unclear who placed the devices or their motives, and no arrests have been made as of yet. The Austin Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Escalating Attacks and “Domestic Terrorism” Concerns
The Austin incident follows a series of alarming events involving vandalism, arson, and other attacks directed at Tesla vehicles in recent weeks. Former President Trump, who recently acquired a Cybertruck, has characterized the ongoing violence against Tesla as “domestic terrorism.”
Authorities believe these attacks may be linked to opposition to Elon Musk’s involvement in government and his policies. Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency and has implemented measures to reduce federal spending and government workforce size.
Musk has previously voiced concerns regarding alleged conspiracies targeting him and Tesla.
Protests Target Musk and Tesla
Recent protests against Musk and Tesla have intensified. Last week, approximately 250 activists gathered outside a New York City Tesla showroom, carrying signs with messages such as ‘Block Fascism Now’ and ‘Musk Must Go,’ chanting slogans like ‘Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!’
The escalating unrest directed at Musk and Tesla prompted Trump’s “domestic terrorism” declaration.
“They’re harming a great American company,” Trump stated, addressing demonstrators. “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you, and… you’re going to go through hell.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi has echoed these sentiments, describing the attacks on Tesla property as “domestic terrorism.” Bondi stated that the Department of Justice has already charged several individuals in connection with these incidents, emphasizing that investigations will continue and will carry “severe consequences” for those involved, including those who are coordinating and funding these actions.
Musk’s Declining Wealth
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires’ Index, Elon Musk’s personal wealth has decreased by $130 billion since January 1st.