A wave of discontent within the California Assembly has sparked a mass exodus from the social media platform X, illuminating debates over misinformation and platform accountability.

At a Glance

• 58 California Assembly Democrats have ended official use of X due to misinformation concerns.
• This departure is one of the largest among elected officials globally.
• The Assembly prefers platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn for safer communication.
• Assembly Majority Leader highlighted misinfo on local disasters as a severe issue.

A Major Political Shift

Fed up with an environment they claim breeds misinformation and hate speech, 58 California Assembly members have publicly severed official ties with X. The lawmakers, led by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, argue the platform’s lax content moderation policies and prevalence of fake accounts pose too great a risk. Rivas declared this collective departure as a necessary step towards maintaining accountability in public office.

Rivas emphasized the dangers of relying on a private entity owned by Elon Musk, whose unpredictable control, he suggests, contradicts the essence of democratic discourse. X, despite its unpopular stance with these officials, remains a crucial tool for immediate communication. However, Rivas’s criticism resonates loudly, emphasizing that taxpayer resources shouldn’t prop up platforms lacking accountability.

If you are not willing to be transparent. If you are not willing to handle disagreement. If you are not willing to answer to the people. You don’t deserve to be an elected official. Period.

And, leaving X didn’t work out to well for Gascón. Just saying. https://t.co/QQ3t2FIHvu

— jonathanhatami (@jonathanhatami) March 27, 2025

Platforms of Choice

The move to platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok marks a deliberate pivot to environments perceived as more responsible. Assembly members assert these alternatives offer better content oversight, aligning with their intent to combat misinformation effectively. The shift underscores differences in how platforms handle the delicate balance between free speech and regulating harmful content.

“Democracy depends on impartial information, not the shifting whims of one billionaire.” – Robert Rivas

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Majority Leader, highlighted the urgent need for reliable information, especially during local emergencies, underscoring Rivas’s sentiment. The desire for transparency and accuracy in public communication is a recurring theme, pressing for a broader conversation about the roles and responsibilities of digital communication mediums.

If you are not willing to be transparent. If you are not willing to handle disagreement. If you are not willing to answer to the people. You don’t deserve to be an elected official. Period.

And, leaving X didn’t work out to well for Gascón. Just saying. https://t.co/QQ3t2FIHvu

— jonathanhatami (@jonathanhatami) March 27, 2025

A Mixed Bag of Reactions

While Democrats stand firm in their decision, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher dismissed the move as hypocritical. He argued that abandoning X doesn’t solve the underlying issues of misinformation. Still, the exodus places a spotlight on the influential power of social media, free speech, and how public messaging aligns with voter expectations.

“There is rampant misinformation, and this clearly causes harm and endangers our friends and neighbors during emergencies. It is irresponsible to continue to encourage our constituents to seek reliable public safety info on X.” – Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

Gallagher’s comment lays bare the tension between censorship and free speech, pointing to a fierce debate about the role private companies like X should play in public communications. Regardless of political inclinations, the walkout of these lawmakers signifies a pivotal moment in how we view and administer truth in an increasingly complex social media landscape.