Twitter is removing the blue checks that were previously used for non-payers. You’re not going to get a legacy blue check unless you are LeBron James or a few other celebrities.
The verge has confirmed that an employee of Twitter recently sent James, who had previously stated he would not pay for verification, an email to “extend to you a complimentary subscription for Twitter Blue for your @kingjames account on behalf Elon Musk.”
Adam Mendelsohn confirmed that James had not paid for verification. Musk told us that , he was paying, “a few” subscribtions “personally,” , including, for the accounts of Stephen King and William Shatner.
James is perhaps the most notorious Twitter user to oppose paid verification. He has said, like Martin Lawrence in the TV show, “I’m not paying the $5.” However, if you look at James’ profile he still displays a verified badge. When you hover the badge over, it will say that “this account has been verified because they have subscribed to Twitter Blue” and verified their telephone number.
Stephen King, a part-owner of Twitter Blue which doesn’t cost $20 per month said earlier that neither has he subscribed to Twitter Blue nor given the company his number. Musk tweeted on Thursday that he would cover King’s subscription.
Twitter’s Press Email responded to a request for comment with an emoji of a poop, as it has done for weeks.
LeBron Jame, along with a few celebrities , remained verified on twitter on Thursday despite saying they would never pay for it. James was called a hypocrite by many who laughed at his vanity. It turns out that the NBA star is not paying.
Alex Heath, The Verge, reports that Twitter reached out to LeBron to offer to comp his subscription “on behalf Elon Musk”. James declined, but his verified account is still active.
