Werder Bremen become second Bundesliga club to quit Elon Musk-owned X – here is why

Werder Bremen has become the second Bundesliga club in less than a week to part ways with the social media platform X, which is owned by Elon Musk. The German team, with almost 540,000 followers on their German account and over 37,000 followers on their English account, announced their immediate departure from the platform after a club meeting held late on Monday. This decision comes shortly after St. Pauli also announced their move to the Bluesky platform. The shift away from X has been seen from various high-profile individuals, including celebrities and individuals with large followings, especially around the US Presidential election period.

The reason behind Werder Bremen’s exit from X stems from concerns about Elon Musk, who is known to support former US President Donald Trump and is set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency under the new administration. Criticism has arisen regarding X’s alleged allowance of hate speech, far-right content, and conspiracy theories, which Musk denies, stating that X is intended to promote freedom of speech and reduce censorship threats. Werder Bremen cited an increase in hate speech, discrimination, extremism, and conspiracy theories on X as their primary reasons for leaving the platform.

The club’s CEO, Klaus Filbry, highlighted the decision during Werder Bremen’s annual general meeting, emphasizing the club’s values of diversity, freedom, and democracy, which they feel are not aligned with the direction X is taking under Musk’s leadership. St. Pauli, another Bundesliga club, had previously announced their departure from X for similar reasons, referring to the platform as a “hate machine” that could negatively impact future election campaigns.

Social media platform Bluesky has emerged as an alternative to X, attracting millions of new users recently, presenting itself as a platform that upholds values of social media in a more desirable manner. This shift reflects a broader trend of individuals and organisations moving towards platforms believed to offer a safer and more inclusive environment, away from potential harmful content.

In conclusion, the decision of Werder Bremen and St. Pauli to depart from X signifies a growing trend of concerns over social media platforms that allow hate speech and extremist content to proliferate. The move to Bluesky aligns with the clubs’ commitment to values of diversity, freedom, and democracy, showcasing a proactive stance against harmful online environments. As social media continues to evolve and influence public discourse, the choices made by these football clubs reflect a broader societal shift towards more responsible and conscientious online engagement.