Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently revealed that he is personally paying for the Twitter Blue subscriptions of some high-profile celebrities, including LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner, to ensure they maintain their verification checkmarks on the platform.
On April 20, 2023, Twitter had announced the removal of blue ticks from all Legacy Verified accounts. The decision resulted in many prominent figures losing their verification status, which signifies account authenticity and helps users identify public figures and organizations.
Musk’s gesture to cover the subscription costs for these notable individuals demonstrates his support for maintaining their verified status on the platform. The billionaire entrepreneur, who has a significant presence on Twitter with over 70 million followers, often shares his thoughts, company updates, and occasionally, memes on the social media platform.
The Twitter Blue subscription, a premium version of the popular social media platform, offers users additional features, including an undo tweet option, customizable app icons, and access to exclusive subscriber content. One of the most appealing features for public figures is the ability to maintain their account’s verification status, ensuring they remain easily identifiable to their followers.
As Musk’s decision to pay for the Twitter Blue subscriptions of James, King, and Shatner gains attention, it is likely that more users and celebrities will consider upgrading their accounts to the premium service. However, it remains to be seen whether other high-profile individuals or companies will follow Musk’s lead and offer to pay for the subscriptions of others to help them maintain their verification checkmarks on the platform
