The ban’s symbolic significance far outweighs its practical effects. X has become a battleground for free speech and political power, with Musk emerging as a champion for those who feel disenfranchised by the country’s left-leaning government.
De Moraes, on the other hand, has defended his actions by pointing out Musk’s failure to comply with Brazilian laws. The judge claims that Musk has repeatedly ignored court orders to remove accounts, refused to pay $3 million in fines, and failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil—a requirement under a 2002 law.
Musk refuses to hire another in-country legal representative citing harassment by the judge. De Moraes threatened to jail Musk’s previous legal director prompting her to resign. After she left X in August, the judge froze her bank accounts.
The Broader Political Context
The legal battle over X is just one part of a broader campaign by de Moraes targeting Bolsonaro and his supporters.
De Moraes has led investigations into Bolsonaro’s activities, including allegations that the former president attempted to smuggle undeclared diamonds and falsified his Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Bolsonaro, who denies the charges, has described the investigations as a “witch hunt.”
