Gene Simmons, the legendary bassist and co-founder of the rock band KISS, has officially announced that he will no longer be using the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. His departure follows recent controversy surrounding Elon Musk, the platform’s owner, after Musk endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.
Simmons’ exit comes in the wake of widespread criticism after Musk appeared to support a post claiming that Jewish communities promote “hatred against whites.” This theory, commonly referred to as the “great replacement” theory, has been widely condemned as a dangerous and baseless conspiracy. While Simmons did not explicitly state his reasons for leaving X, he simply announced, “I’ve decided to end my X/Twitter posting.” This decision, however, follows a broader backlash against Musk’s statements and actions.
Neil Young, another influential musician, also announced his departure from the platform. In a statement posted on his website, Young declared, “We are stopping all use of X we can control,” making it clear that he no longer wishes to be associated with the social media giant. Young, who has been vocal about his stance on social issues in the past, criticized Musk’s endorsement of divisive rhetoric and emphasized the need for unity and reconciliation.
The controversy surrounding Musk’s comments has led to significant backlash from both public figures and major corporations. The White House condemned Musk’s remarks, warning against the spread of hateful ideologies. In response to the growing criticism, several high-profile companies, including Disney, Warner Bros, Apple, and IBM, have pulled their advertisements from X, citing concerns over the increase in anti-Semitic content on the platform. This mass exodus of advertisers poses a serious financial threat to the company, which relies heavily on ad revenue.
Musk, for his part, has denied being anti-Semitic and insisted that his comments were directed at organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), rather than the Jewish community as a whole. He has also lashed out at media outlets for their coverage of the controversy, even threatening legal action against those he claims have misrepresented his stance. Despite his attempts to defend himself, many critics argue that his words and actions contribute to the normalization of dangerous rhetoric.
Simmons, who was born in Israel and has spoken openly about his Jewish heritage, has not made any additional statements regarding his decision to leave X. However, his departure underscores the growing dissatisfaction among public figures and businesses with Musk’s handling of the platform and his engagement with controversial political topics.
This is not the first time X has faced criticism for its content moderation policies under Musk’s leadership. Since acquiring the company in late 2022, Musk has made sweeping changes, including reducing moderation efforts and reinstating previously banned accounts, which many argue has led to a surge in hate speech and misinformation. The recent backlash over anti-Semitic content is yet another chapter in the ongoing debate over the platform’s direction under Musk’s ownership.
As more celebrities and companies distance themselves from X, it remains to be seen whether Musk will take further steps to address these concerns or continue to double down on his approach. For now, Simmons and Young have joined a growing list of high-profile figures who have decided that the platform no longer aligns with their values, marking another blow to the social media giant’s reputation.
