Social media users are reacting to Elon Musk's latest controversy, which saw the billionaire swap out Twitter's iconic blue bird icon for an "art deco" inspired 'X'.
Musk has made a lot of controversial changes to Twitter since buying the social media site for $44 billion back in December 2022. In that short space of time Twitter has seen widespread layoffs, the introduction of a payed verification scheme, a legal name change to X Copr, tweet limits, and so, so much more.
This chaotic spiral, paired with a series of technical issues and comments from Musk regarding the site's negative cash flow and declining advertising revenue, has led many users to speculate that Twitter's reign atop the social media pantheon was finally drawing to a close.
The one constant in this sea of change has been Twitter’s borderline reassuring blue bird. The blue bird has watched over Twitter in one form or another since 2010, and it’s fair to say the vast majority are now familiar with it.
That’s got to be some pretty strong branding, right? Well, Elon Musk disagrees, and as of today has replaced the iconic blue bird with a somewhat generic X symbol. Thankfully, ‘X’, as it is now called, is a social media site, which means there is no shortage of hot takes on the controversial rebranding, many of which are less than positive about the move.
Elon Musk turning Twitter into The X
— i₿ou ? (@teamibou23) July 24, 2023
Everyone: pic.twitter.com/byY9fPvd2p
Twitter X is not allowed in the X meeting pic.twitter.com/JSjKWZdweg
— TheNCSmaster (@TheNCSmaster) July 23, 2023
evolution of the Twitter / X logo #TwitterX pic.twitter.com/EJhDXze5JU
— dave ❄️ ? ? (@mrdavemacleod) July 24, 2023
you know what other thing has the X logo pic.twitter.com/Zqu0TMQz6h
— MAUS (@indeimaus) July 24, 2023
I never asked for this. https://t.co/ZM38rRtqCr
— ????? ???????? - #SAGAFTRA (@EliasToufexis) July 24, 2023
At least the X branding is honest.
— Rab Florence (@robertflorence) July 24, 2023
Twitter hasn’t felt like the chirping of a funny little bird for years. It is now the dystopian drone of a pain machine, a device built for torture, the home of liars, bullies and fantasists, a home for the digitally insane, an absolute X.
Literally the most soulless relaunch ever
— Neroh (@nerohserran) July 24, 2023
Others simply decided to wring as much amusement out of the chaotic situation as they could, with one inventive ‘X’ user even managing to crowbar an Evangelion reference into the maelstrom of reaction.
— Tom Walton (@edgeblend) July 24, 2023
— Idle Sloth?? (@IdleSloth84_) July 24, 2023
One good thing about the X transition is that Twitter users will now be called X-men pic.twitter.com/qbecAtm59b
— Mr Black⁛ (@MrBlackOG) July 24, 2023
Zuck after hearing the X news pic.twitter.com/wsUWh7cTWV
— Inverse Cramer (Not Jim Cramer) (@CramerTracker) July 23, 2023
Inspiration for the X logo. Last one I promise #TwitterX pic.twitter.com/fEi9hTvTzV
— Marc Owen Jones (@marcowenjones) July 24, 2023
You maniacs. #TwitterX pic.twitter.com/tVkf514y0v
— Marshall Julius (@MarshallJulius) July 24, 2023
Some users took the opportunity to showcase alternative designs, which would have incorporated Musk’s fettish for all things ‘X’, while also retaining a nod to the blue bird of old.
this logo would be great #TwitterX pic.twitter.com/EVvNRIWZ15
— emrepuzo (@emrpuzo) July 24, 2023
Let the "x" in not "ex" pic.twitter.com/hcNOPHKdy0
— ?? Crypto Maximalist ? ? (@MaximalistInvet) July 24, 2023
British TV network ITV also got in on the action, revealing a new bird-based logo that, if we're being fair, seems to have had a warmer reception than Musk's Twitter rebrand. No doubt even as we speak the social media teams of countless other corporate entities are being goading into creating reactionary posts.
We've had an emergency rebrand pic.twitter.com/uSq1KQW6W2
— ITVX (@ITVX) July 24, 2023
People still call our streaming service 4OD so good luck https://t.co/olKv5FFTWf
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) July 24, 2023
Musk has said that the current “minimalist art deco” X logo will probably be changed or further refined in the future, and that tweets will soon be rebranded as ‘Xs’. The questionable rebrand comes as Twitter faces increasing levels of competition from rival social media sites such as Threads, and Bluesky, which are attempting to position themselves as a viable successors.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
