Kathy Griffin Suspended from Twitter Shortly After Impersonating New CEO Elon Musk: ‘#FreeKathy’
Kathy Griffin attends the Fourth Annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards; Elon Musk attends TIME Person of the Year.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images; Theo Wargo/Getty Images Kathy Griffin; Elon Musk
Kathy Griffin has been suspended from Twitter shortly after she impersonated the social media platform’s new CEO, Elon Musk.
The 62-year-old comedian’s page was suspended Sunday, the same day she changed her account’s name to “Elon Musk” and mocked the Tesla founder, 51, in a tweet.
It is not immediately clear, however, if Griffin’s suspension came as a result of her mockery — or if it will be permanent — though Musk announced that same day that Twitter accounts that impersonate celebrities and other notable figures would be suspended, unless they’re labeled “parody.”
“Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended,” Musk wrote in one tweet.
In another, he referenced Twitter’s new $8 monthly subscription service, Twitter Blue, which will allow any Twitter user to easily attain a blue checkmark symbol, something that was previously reserved to verify government accounts and notable figures, such as celebrities, politicians and journalists.
“Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning. This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue,” he said, adding in one other follow-up: “Any name change at all will cause temporary loss of verified checkmark.”
A representative for Twitter did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Kathy Griffin Twitter Kathy Griffin’s Twitter account suspended
Read More News
Eyebrows raised as Elon Musk joins Twitter board.
SHAQ CLAPS BACK AT KANYE AMID TWITTER BEEF ‘Get Your Family In Order’
No comments