'I Seem to Have Gotten Under a Certain Billionaire's Skin': AOC

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elon Musk go at it over Twitter's proposed $8 fee for verification badge
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2022 8:15 AM CDT
AOC, Musk Go at It Over $8 Twitter Fee
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, is seen during a meeting on July 6 in Queens, NY.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Elon Musk has been getting his fair share of complaints since he took over Twitter, and he seems annoyed by his latest detractor. After announcing earlier this week that verified users of the social media platform will likely have to pay $8 a month to keep their blue-check icon, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to air her thoughts on that, per Insider. "Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that 'free speech' is actually a $8/mo subscription plan," the Democratic congresswoman snarked on Tuesday. Musk's curt reply: "Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8." Sources tell Bloomberg that Twitter could start charging for the verification badge as soon as Monday. Users who already boast a blue check would be given a grace period of a few months to start paying up or lose the symbol, one of the sources adds.

The sources note, however, that the timeline for these things could shift as Musk works with advertisers to figure out how to bring more money in to the platform. One piece of possible good news for everyone on Twitter amid all this: A source tells Bloomberg that the edit feature currently only available to Twitter Blue subscribers, who pay $4.99 per month for their perks, could be opened up for free to everyone, maybe even this week. Meanwhile, the Musk-AOC tiff continued online Wednesday, with Musk appearing to mock AOC and others over the $8 fee and posting a photo of a supporter sweatshirt offered on Ocasio-Cortez's website for $58, insinuating that the congresswoman shouldn't be complaining about Twitter charging people.

She apparently didn't notice that tweet until a few hours later, at which point she noted: "My twitter mentions/notifications conveniently aren't working tonight, so I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire's skin. ... Just a reminder that money will never by (sic) your way out of insecurity, folks." AOC also touted the union workers who make the clothing sold on her site, accusing Musk of "union-busting," and threw more shade at him for his online haggling to get users like Stephen King to pay the monthly $8. "One guy's business plan for a $44 billion over-leveraged purchase is apparently to run around and individually ask people for $8," she eye-rolled. "Remember that next time you question yourself or your qualifications." (More Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stories.)

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