Celebrities in a Twitter Verification Frenzy: Stephen King Calls Out Elon Musk’s Surprising Move
Twitter’s recent move to revoke verification badges for users who don’t subscribe to its paid service, “Twitter Blue,” caused quite a stir among celebrities. From Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Bette Midler and Alyssa Milano, many were up in arms about losing their coveted blue checkmarks.
But it was Stephen King who caught Elon Musk’s attention when he noticed that his verification badge had been revoked, only to be quickly restored.
“My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. tweeTed King.
“My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t,” the acclaimed horror writer tweeted, expressing his frustration on Thursday.
Musk, known for his quick wit and sharp comebacks, had a surprising response for King: “You’re welcome namaste.”
You’re welcome namaste 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
Generous Gesture or Virtue Signaling? Elon Musk Pays for Twitter Blue Subscriptions of Stephen King, LeBron James, and William Shatner
In a surprising turn of events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk revealed that he is personally covering the $8 subscription fee for Twitter Blue, not just for one, but three high-profile users – renowned author Stephen King, NBA legend LeBron James, and beloved actor William Shatner of “Star Trek” fame.
However, instead of simply expressing gratitude, King took the opportunity to leverage the situation for a cause close to his heart.
The outspoken liberal writer urged Musk to consider donating the subscription fee and more to the Prytula Foundation, a charity dedicated to “strengthening the Defense Forces of Ukraine and providing assistance to the civilians affected by Russian aggression,” in what some may see as an act of virtue signaling.
As the story continues to unfold, opinions are divided on whether Musk’s generosity is purely altruistic or if King’s call for charitable action adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
Elon Musk and Stephen King Clash over Charity Donations: “How Much Have You Donated to Ukraine?” Musk Asked.
A Twitter feud erupted when Stephen King called on Elon Musk to donate his Twitter Blue subscription fee to the Prytula Foundation, a charity supporting Ukraine. King tweeted on Saturday, “I think Mr. Musk should give my blue check to charity. I recommend the Prytula Foundation, which provides lifesaving services in Ukraine. It’s only $8, so perhaps Mr. Musk could add a bit more.”
“I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?” Musk wrote.
Musk, known for his philanthropic efforts, fired back with a pointed question, “I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated? (We turned down the DoD money btw).” Musk included a screenshot of a tweet from Ukraine’s digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov thanking him for donating Starlink internet systems in October 2022.
As of the time of publication, the progressive King had yet to respond to Musk’s challenge, leaving the question of charitable contributions to Ukraine unanswered. The exchange between the outspoken writer and the billionaire entrepreneur has sparked discussions about the role of philanthropy and donations in addressing global issues, and has left many curious to see how the story unfolds.
I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?
(We turned down the DoD money btw) https://t.co/wpLa6dTnP6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 23, 2023
Musk’s Humanitarian Efforts: Starlink Internet Systems Sent to Ukraine after Russian Invasion
Elon Musk’s philanthropic efforts extended to Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion. In March 2022, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed his gratitude to Musk for his support in both words and deeds.
“Talked to @elonmusk. I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds. Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities. Discussed possible space projects. But I’ll talk about this after the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.
