Elon Musk is navigating Brazil’s X ban — and flirting with its far right

Brazilians have been without access to X for over two weeks after the platform was blocked by the country's Supreme Court due to Elon Musk's failure to comply with court rulings. The conflict began in April when Musk publicized government requests for information and removed restrictions imposed on X profiles by Brazilian court orders. Musk has been critical of the ban, claiming it violates free speech and has rallied public support from far-right influencers and politicians. Despite the ban, X briefly became accessible again after making a significant update that allowed it to route around service providers' blocks. Musk's defiance is part of his long-standing support for Brazil's far right, with some experts describing him as an activist rather than just an influencer. Musk's support for the far right has been obvious for years, particularly through his Starlink satellite internet service, which operates across the country. His activism in Brazil is part of a broader trend of supporting right-wing politics globally, including in Latin America. Musk's resistance to the ban is also seen as a fight over how and whether American tech companies can be regulated abroad. Experts argue that Musk's actions are motivated by a desire to promote unregulated capitalism and expand his economic power and geopolitical influence. Ultimately, Musk's endgame is seen as a win-win situation, where he can portray himself as a martyr or a hero, depending on the outcome.