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The Great Sysop: Elon Musk, X, and the Emergence of Platform Illiberalism

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  • Magalhães, João C.
  • Keller, Clara Iglesias
  • Gorwa, Robert

Abstract

This article examines Twitter’s mutation into X under Elon Musk, analyzing its shift from a mainstream platform to a far-right-aligned space. Using a dataset of over 1,500 events related to this transformation and a novel conceptualization of institutional change in trust and safety systems, we argue that three processes characterized X’s approach to content moderation: the political simplification of Twitter’s governance ecosystem, the centralization of power in Musk’s hands, and the repurposing of governance mechanisms to enforce Musk’s personal ideology. Together, these processes resulted in what we conceptualize as platform illiberalism, an emerging regime whereby illiberal-esque logics reshape speech control internally while supporting illiberal actors externally. We argue that X represents an unprecedented fusion of social media and authoritarianism, with close ties to and potential implications for democratic erosion in the US and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Magalhães, João C. & Keller, Clara Iglesias & Gorwa, Robert, 2025. "The Great Sysop: Elon Musk, X, and the Emergence of Platform Illiberalism," SocArXiv 6grbc_v2, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:6grbc_v2
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/6grbc_v2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philipp Lorenz-Spreen & Lisa Oswald & Stephan Lewandowsky & Ralph Hertwig, 2023. "A systematic review of worldwide causal and correlational evidence on digital media and democracy," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 74-101, January.
    2. Gorwa, Robert, 2019. "What is Platform Governance?," SocArXiv fbu27, Center for Open Science.
    3. Chrysi Dagoula, 2019. "Mapping Political Discussions on Twitter: Where the Elites Remain Elites," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(1), pages 225-234.
    4. repec:osf:socarx:fbu27_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Chrysi Dagoula, 2019. "Mapping Political Discussions on Twitter: Where the Elites Remain Elites," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(1), pages 225-234.
    6. Gorwa, Robert, 2024. "The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 299876, December.
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