X suspends UK journalist after she investigates Elon Musk fan account

A journalist claimed that her X account was suspended, and an article of hers was blocked on the platform after she wrote a piece about online theories suggesting that an X account was secretly run by Elon Musk himself. The online theories come at a time when Musk has gained a reputation as the kingmaker in US politics and in the politics of several other countries.

Jacqueline Sweet, a journalist for the UK magazine The Spectator, wrote about why an X account, allegedly belonging to a man from Fiji, was not Musk.

The account, under the name Adrian Dittmann, often expresses admiration for Musk and his work. The account even sounds like the Tesla boss, having engaged with Musk multiple times.

Dittmann and Musk have even discussed their similar voices and how Dittmann lives in Oceania, although Dittmann has refrained from sharing further details to avoid being attacked online.

Now, many on social media speculate whether Musk is actually Dittmann.

Sweet conducted an investigation into the account and found that it indeed belonged to a man who resides in Fiji.

After Sweet published her story, Musk posted on X, saying, “I am Adrian Dittmann. It’s time the world knew.”

Following this, Sweet’s account was suspended, and the link to her article could no longer be shared on X.

“Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot,” read the notification on X when Sweet tried to post the article.

She was also unable to share the article via direct message on X.

“This request looks like it might be automated. To protect our users from spam and other malicious activity, we can’t complete this action right now. Please try again later,” read another notification on X.

Sweet later shared that her account had been suspended for 30 days for allegedly violating X’s rules on posting "private information."

“It is against our rules to share someone’s private information online without their permission. This is sometimes called ‘doxing.’ It breaches their privacy and can pose serious safety and security risks for those affected,” she explained.

“I think Elon is mad I ruined his stupid game of laughing at his critics who believe Adrian Dittmann is his alternative account. So, he took his toys and went home,” Sweet posted on Bluesky.

Matt McDonald, the US managing editor of The Spectator, also wrote an article on the controversy.

“It’s not so much about who Adrian Dittmann is as about who he isn’t. Presenting the case that Dittmann is not, in fact, secretly the richest man in the world is clearly in the public interest and has news value, particularly considering Musk’s recently developed interest in government and international affairs,” McDonald wrote.

“It cannot be considered ‘unmasking’ to suggest that someone called Adrian Dittmann uses an X account bearing the name ‘Adrian Dittmann,’” he added.