Elon Musk, the billionaire trailblazer behind X, Tesla, and SpaceX, has once again stirred the pot with a provocative stance on social media. On August 7, 2025, Musk amplified a post by a tech startup CEO known as Spor, who declared, “Today I deleted Instagram—not just the app, but my entire account. Time to be a man.” Musk’s succinct reply, “Real move,” sent shockwaves across X, racking up 35 million views and igniting a firestorm of reactions. His endorsement of abandoning Instagram, a platform he’s long criticized, has reignited debates about social media’s impact, privacy concerns, and Musk’s own influence in shaping digital culture.
Musk’s comment wasn’t just a casual nod—it’s part of a pattern. The 54-year-old has repeatedly slammed Instagram, owned by Meta, for what he calls “shallow interactions” and invasive data practices. In August 2024, he escalated his critique, suggesting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg should face arrest alongside Telegram’s Pavel Durov for alleged censorship, exploitation of minors, and allowing government backdoor access to user data. Musk even backed a 2023 comparison likening Instagram to adult platform OnlyFans, accusing it of prioritizing vanity over substance. His latest move has fueled speculation about his motives, with some seeing it as a jab at rival Zuckerberg and others viewing it as a push for authenticity in a curated online world.
The reaction on X was polarized. Supporters echoed Musk’s disdain, slamming Instagram’s algorithm-driven feeds and endless scroll as mindless distractions. “It’s all filters and fakeness,” one user wrote, praising Spor’s decision. Others, however, called out Musk’s hypocrisy, pointing to X’s own issues with negativity and misinformation. “X is a cesspool sometimes—fix your own house first,” a critic fired back. The debate underscores a broader tension: Musk’s vision for X as a “digital town square” versus the glossy, image-driven culture of Instagram.
Musk’s stance aligns with a growing chorus in tech. Last month, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of AI chatbot platform Perplexity, urged young people to ditch mindless social media scrolling and master AI tools instead. With automation reshaping industries, Srinivas warned that those who don’t adapt risk being left behind in a job market increasingly favoring AI-savvy workers. Musk’s push to delete Instagram seems to echo this sentiment, positioning X as a platform for deeper engagement and critical thought, though not without its own controversies.
The timing of Musk’s comment is notable. As X evolves into an “everything app” with enhanced live-streaming and payment features, his criticism of Instagram could be strategic, drawing users to his platform. Yet, it also reflects his personal disdain for what he sees as performative social media. His visit to the White House’s Oval Office on May 30, 2025, where he discussed tech policy, only amplified his influence, making his Instagram jab resonate even louder.
This isn’t just about one app—it’s about a cultural shift. Musk’s call to delete Instagram taps into growing fatigue with polished, algorithm-driven platforms. Whether it’s a genuine plea for change or a calculated swipe at Meta, the move has people talking. As users weigh the pros and cons of their digital habits, Musk’s influence continues to shape the conversation, for better or worse.
