On Thursday, social media platform Twitter released an update to its verification system, which resulted in a number of celebrities, including Bette Midler, losing their blue checkmarks. Midler responded to the update with a tweet to Twitter owner Elon Musk, expressing her anger and disbelief at the decision. In response, many Twitter users mocked Midler, while another started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for her verification. Musk then made sure that three prominent figures who promised they would never subscribe to Twitter Blue kept their verified status without paying for it.
Elon took my blue check away! I’m unverified! After all these years and thousands of tweets and free content, this worm has the nerve to de-certify me!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 20, 2023
Elon, deciding that I’m not me, I’m a fake, & obliging ME, who has contributed mightily to your platform, (at least until you “tweaked the algorithm & tanked my metrics”) to pay monthly because you don’t have enough money & you’re humiliated b/c everyone thinks you’re a pathetic
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 21, 2023
douche, is the funniest thing you’ve ever done. Let that sink in. Sorry to hear about your rocket.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 21, 2023
Twitter’s new update requires users to pay $8 a month to be part of the Twitter Blue program, which includes the edit feature on tweets. Most celebrities lost their blue checkmarks, but Musk made sure that LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner retained their verified status despite not paying for it. Stephen King tweeted his confusion at the change in his account status, to which Musk replied with “you’re welcome namaste.”
The update to the verification system caused a stir on Twitter, with many users reacting to Bette Midler’s tweet with mocking replies. Another user started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Midler’s verification. As of Friday morning, the campaign had raised $160.
Cry me a river.
Sing me a song.
$64 a year
May be a bit much
for your struggling career.If ya paid $8 for the first month. Did a sub package. Did a couple spaces and talked your fans, could pay for the rest of your life ????????♂️
— BlesseDaWish.eth (@blessed_wish) April 21, 2023
The update to the verification system has been met with mixed reactions from Twitter users. While some have praised the move to make the platform more secure, many have argued that the change was unnecessary and that it was done in an attempt to pressure people into paying for more Twitter features. There have also been questions raised about why Musk chose to keep the blue checks of three prominent figures without requiring them to pay for it.
All these supper wealthy celebs like Bette Midler & Alyssa Milano kill me. They’re gunning for @elonmusk because his restructuring of the platform means they have to sacrifice $8 of the money they make off his company to keep their privilege. Hilarious. pic.twitter.com/fwlMfYaBDw
— ???????? HonkeyPox ???????? (@HonkeyPox) April 21, 2023
Overall, the update to Twitter’s verification system has caused a lot of controversy and debate. While some have praised the move, others have argued that it is unnecessary and that it is designed to pressure people into paying for more Twitter features. The decision to keep the blue checks of LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner has also raised questions as to why they were exempt from having to pay for the service.
