John Oliver gives a brutal summary of the current state of Elon Musks X
Mashable
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
John Oliver delivered a scathing critique of Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) in his most recent episode of *Last Week Tonight*, highlighting the platform’s deteriorating state since Musk took over ownership. Oliver painted a stark picture of a company that has become increasingly unreliable and polarized, with issues ranging from a flawed verification system to the proliferation of right-wing content and misinformation. He argued that Musk’s leadership has transformed X into a platform that reflects his own toxic worldview, with little hope for meaningful change in the near future.
Oliver pointed out several key problems with X, including its role as a breeding ground for false information during breaking news events. He criticized the platform’s lack of guardrails to prevent the spread of misinformation, particularly during tragedies or crises, where users often share inaccurate details for personal gain. This has rendered X ineffective and even dangerous for those seeking real-time updates, according to Oliver. He also lamented the loss of what once was a more enjoyable and occasionally useful social media platform, emphasizing that its former utility is now gone for good.
The comedian’s conclusion was blunt: he urged viewers to stop posting on X altogether, calling it “worse than useless” in certain contexts, particularly when it comes to news. He highlighted the irony of a major media platform being shaped by its owner’s toxic habits, pointing out that Musk’s own consumption of content on his platform has seemingly reinforced his harmful worldview. Oliver’s critique raises important questions about the future of X and its role in the tech industry.
For readers interested in tech, this matters because it touches on broader issues of platform responsibility, misinformation, and the impact of leadership on large-scale technology companies. As X continues to struggle with credibility and user trust, the implications for social media as a whole—and its ability to serve as an accurate information source—are significant. Oliver’s commentary serves as a wake-up call about the dangers of unchecked power in tech, emphasizing the need for accountability and ethical practices in digital platforms.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/23/2026