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Musk’s Twitter promised a purge of blue check marks. Instead he singled out the New York Times

By Eric November 18, 2025

On Saturday, Twitter users, particularly those with blue verification check marks, braced themselves for a significant purge of verified accounts, a move that had been widely anticipated following Elon Musk’s announcement of a crackdown on verification. Many expected to lose their coveted status, which signifies authenticity and trustworthiness on the platform. However, the anticipated wave of account removals did not materialize as expected. Instead, the spotlight fell on a singular account belonging to a major publication that Musk has openly criticized, sparking questions about the criteria and motivations behind Twitter’s verification process.

In a surprising turn of events, Twitter’s focus on this particular account raised eyebrows among users and commentators alike. It appeared that the platform’s verification system was not applied uniformly, suggesting a potential bias in how verification is administered. Furthermore, Twitter’s recent updates obscured the reasons behind user verification, leaving many confused about what it truly means to be verified. This shift in language and policy has led to speculation about the integrity of the verification process and whether it is being used as a tool for favoritism rather than a standard for credibility. The move not only highlights the ongoing tensions between Musk and certain media outlets but also underscores the broader implications for user trust and platform transparency in the evolving landscape of social media.

As Twitter navigates these changes, the implications for both users and the platform itself remain significant. The selective targeting of accounts and the alteration of verification criteria could undermine the platform’s credibility and alienate users who rely on the blue check mark as a symbol of authenticity. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges social media platforms face in maintaining fairness and transparency, especially when influenced by the personal biases of their leadership. As the situation develops, many will be watching closely to see how Twitter addresses these concerns and what it means for the future of online verification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYhj4kaJA0

Some VIP Twitter users woke up on Saturday expecting to have lost their coveted blue verification check marks in a previously announced purge by Elon Musk. Instead, Twitter appeared to target a single account from a major publication Musk dislikes and changed the language on its site in a way that obscures why users are verified.

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