Alexandre de Moraes: How a Supreme Court Judge Blocked Elon Musk’s X in Brazil 2024

In Brazil, a judge has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures in the nation. Judge Alexandre de Moraes is a man with a powerful, resolute appearance who serves on the Supreme Court. His sharp stare and gleaming bald head are his trademarks. Through his investigations into the purported anti-democratic acts of former President Jair Bolsonaro, Moraes has emerged as a significant and controversial figure.

Moraes vs. Elon Musk

The most recent issue surrounding Moraes concerns his intention to ban X, the Brazilian equivalent of Twitter. This action was taken in response to a protracted disagreement with X’s billionaire owner, Elon Musk. Musk, a self-described “free-speech absolutist,” has attacked Moraes in public, branding him a despot and threatening to disobey the judge’s rulings. The people who disseminated misleading material were the focus of Moraes’s verdict, especially those who backed Bolsonaro.

The latest Friday’s order by Moraes to suspend X in Brazil fanned the flames. In a furious response, Musk called Moraes a “evil dictator pretending to be a judge” and said that he was attempting to undermine Brazil’s democracy. This altercation exemplifies the mounting strain in the war against misinformation between social media companies and the authorities.

The Background of Alexandre de Moraes

The 55-year-old Alexandre de Moraes is also referred to by his alias, “Xandao.” As the head of the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), he has a prominent position and has significant political sway in Brazil. Moraes has grown to be a contentious figure, especially with Bolsonaro’s followers who charge him with censorship and power abuse.

From the beginning of his career, Moraes’s ascent to prominence was not immediately apparent. In Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil, he started out as a state prosecutor before rising to the position of state security secretary. His strong stance on a number of topics during his time in these positions led some left-wing activists to accuse him of suppressing social movements.

Then-President Michel Temer nominated Moraes to the Supreme Court in 2017. Antonio Carlos de Freitas, a specialist in constitutional law, refers to Moraes as a “political animal,” highlighting that his ascent to the Supreme Court was mostly attributable to his political as opposed to legal abilities.

Moraes’s Conflict with Bolsonaro

Moraes and Bolsonaro did not get along well when Bolsonaro was president from 2019 to 2022. When Moraes authorized investigations on a number of Bolsonaro’s allies, Bolsonaro referred to him as “scum” and refused to abide by his decisions. As Moraes oversaw proceedings against Bolsonaro, this confrontation persisted. One such case concerned accusations that Bolsonaro and his associates plotted a coup in order to retain power following their loss in the 2022 election.

Moraes has been seen by Bolsonaro’s team as their main opponent, particularly as he has handed them major setbacks at the Supreme Court and actively worked to stop the dissemination of misleading information.

The Battle Against Disinformation

In the fight against misinformation, Moraes has been a well-known figure, especially in the 2022 election campaign. Using his legal power, he shut down accounts propagating misleading information, including those belonging to Bolsonaro’s followers. His strategy resulted in a confrontation with Elon Musk, who has been charged with permitting X to become into a forum for conspiracy ideas held by right-wing extremists.

Even with his somber public image, coworkers know Moraes for his sense of humor and his ability to have civil conversations with a wide range of groups, including the military. But many who disagree with his tactics have pointed fingers at him because of his strong stance against misinformation.

Moraes’s Future Ambitions

With two decades left before he reaches 75, which is Brazil’s required retirement age for judges, Moraes still has a lengthy career ahead of him. There are reports that he wants to run for president in the future, among other political aspirations.

Conclusion

In Brazil, Alexandre de Moraes is a contentious figure. He is a hero to some, standing up for democracy. Some see him as an excessively strict censor. His reputation as a judge who isn’t afraid to make powerful enemies has only grown as a result of his recent decision to reject Elon Musk’s X in Brazil. Moraes will surely continue to be in the news for years to come as he fights against misinformation and false news.

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