Elon Musk Faces Backlash for Suspending Journalist Over Investigation Into Doppelgänger Rumors

X restricted journalist Jacqueline Sweet's account after her report debunked claims that Musk secretly operated a fan account, raising concerns about platform censorship.

Jacqueline Sweet's investigation in The Spectator identified Adrian Dittmann as a German entrepreneur living in Fiji, countering rumors that the account was Musk's secret alias.
Dittmann, whose X activity includes vocal support for Musk, was linked to businesses in Fiji and a 2021 Musk Foundation contest, aligning with details from his X profile.
Sweet's X account was suspended for 30 days, with Musk's platform citing violations of its doxxing policy, though her report did not include private identifying information.
Musk added to the confusion by jokingly posting 'I am Adrian Dittmann' on X, further fueling speculation despite evidence confirming Dittmann's independent identity.
The suspension and blocking of Sweet's article have drawn criticism of Musk's commitment to free speech, with comparisons to past controversies over content moderation on X.