A journalist’s account on X (formerly Twitter) was suspended after publishing a story debunking claims that an Elon Musk fan account was secretly operated by Musk himself. Jacqueline Sweet, writing for The Spectator, revealed that the account, belonging to Adrian Dittmann, a man apparently living in Fiji, was not connected to the billionaire despite online speculation.

Origins of the Conspiracy

Dittmann, who posts under his own name on X, frequently shares content praising Musk. His participation in X Spaces conversations, where his voice sounded strikingly similar to Musk’s, sparked theories that he was a secret alternate identity of the tech mogul. During one interaction, Dittmann described his vague background and refused to reveal specifics, citing concerns for his safety. These elements fueled rumors, prompting widespread speculation.

Investigative Findings

Sweet collaborated with Swiss hacker Maia Arson Crimew and journalist Ryan Fae to investigate the claims. They determined through publicly available information that Dittmann was indeed the person behind the account and was not Musk. Sweet’s article dismissed the conspiracy as unfounded, detailing how Dittmann, who resides in Oceania, operates independently.

Musk’s Response and Account Blocks

After Sweet posted her findings on X, Musk humorously responded, “I am Adrian Dittmann. It’s time the world knew.” Shortly thereafter, Sweet’s account was suspended for 30 days, and links to her article and related blog posts were blocked on the platform. Attempts to share the links were met with automated error messages citing potential spam or technical issues.

Accusations of Rule Violations

According to X, Sweet was suspended for violating rules about “Posting Private Information,” often referred to as doxxing. Sweet denied the allegation, asserting her reporting relied entirely on publicly accessible information. The Spectator also defended her work, emphasizing that no personal details like addresses or private photos were included.

Free Speech Concerns

Sweet argued the suspension reflected Musk’s dissatisfaction with her debunking the fan account conspiracy, calling it a retaliatory move. Critics of X’s moderation policies raised concerns over free speech and the platform’s impartiality under Musk’s ownership.

Despite the suspensions, Dittmann himself took to X to confirm he is not Musk, further dismantling the theory. This incident has sparked broader conversations about the boundaries of investigative journalism and the evolving landscape of online moderation.

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