Coverage dated April 20, 2023

Elon Musk Mocked After Paying For Stephen King’s Twitter Checkmark

Headline from Forbes

Elon Musk personally paid for Twitter Blue for author Stephen King, but he can’t seem to buy King’s respect.

Forbes's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

15 articles, oldest first.

Gizmodo
Elon Musk Is Paying for Stephen King’s Blue Checkmark to Try to Make It Cool Again (opens Gizmodo)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Gizmodo's feed description
Twitter largely took away blue checkmarks from legacy verified accounts yesterday, but Stephen King, William Shatner, and LeBron James' checkmarks remained.
Jezebel
Which Celebrities Are Shelling Out for Elon Musk's Twitter Blue? (opens Jezebel)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Jezebel's feed description
Musk is personally paying for Lebron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner’s blue checks, I guess just to troll them? Teach them a lesson?
Black Enterprise
LeBron James Still Has Blue Check on Twitter, Elon Musk Repsonds (opens Black Enterprise)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Black Enterprise's feed description
LeBron James has kept the blue check on his profile but only because Elon Musk is "paying for a few personally" including Stephen King and William Shatner
The Guardian
Elon Musk pays for Stephen King and LeBron James to keep Twitter blue ticks (opens The Guardian)
Published Apr 20, 2023
The Guardian's feed description
Writer and basketball star are among famous names to retain ticks despite not signing up to Twitter Blue
The Daily Caller
Elon Musk Confirms He’s ‘Paying For A Few’ Twitter Accounts After Report About Covering LeBron James’ Fees (opens The Daily Caller)
Published Apr 20, 2023
The Daily Caller's feed description
Twitter CEO Elon Musk confirmed that he's paying the monthly fee for some prominent Twitter users to retain their blue checkmarks.
Forbes
Elon Musk Mocked After Paying For Stephen King’s Twitter Checkmark (opens Forbes)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Forbes's feed description
Elon Musk personally paid for Twitter Blue for author Stephen King, but he can’t seem to buy King’s respect.
The Hollywood Reporter
As Twitter Removes Legacy Verification, Elon Musk Says He’s “Personally” Paying for Some Users’ Blue Subscriptions (opens The Hollywood Reporter)
Published Apr 20, 2023
The Hollywood Reporter's feed description
A source close to LeBron James says Twitter had reached out to the NBA star to offer a comped subscription from Musk.
Bangor Daily News
Elon Musk claims he's paying Twitter fee for Stephen King to keep blue check mark (opens Bangor Daily News)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Bangor Daily News's feed description
Along with Stephen King, Elon Musk said he was personally paying for LeBron James and William Shatner to keep their verified blue badges.
Rolling Stone
Elon Musk 'Personally' Paying for LeBron, Shatner, and King Twitter Blue Checks (opens Rolling Stone)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Rolling Stone's feed description
The billionaire confirmed that he’s footing the subscription bill for LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner
Quartz
Elon Musk paid the Twitter Blue fee for celebrities like LeBron James and Stephen King (opens Quartz)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Quartz's feed description
Both celebrities had publicly said they would not be paying to keep their blue check
Variety
Musk Is Paying Twitter Blue Fee for LeBron, Stephen King and Shatner (opens Variety)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Variety's feed description
The squeaky wheel gets the Twitter blue check-mark, it seems.
Insider
Elon Musk is paying for a few of his favorite celebrities to stay on Twitter Blue, even after they dissed the new blue checks (opens Insider)
Published Apr 20, 2023
Insider's feed description
"You're welcome namaste," Musk told Stephen King. LeBron James and William Shatner have received similar treatment.
The New Republic
Even Fox News Doesn’t Want to Pay for a Blue Check on Twitter (opens The New Republic)
Published Apr 20, 2023
The New Republic's feed description
Elon Musk’s big idea to save Twitter revenue is falling flat on its face.
CBS News
Elon Musk says he's paying for 3 celebrities' blue checkmarks on Twitter (opens CBS News)
Published Apr 20, 2023
CBS News's feed description
Now, users have to pay $8 per month to keep their verification, but three celebrities were able to keep those checks without forking over cash. That's because Musk says he's paying for them.
BizPac Review
Elon Musk reveals he’s personally paying for three celebs to keep blue checks as meltdown begins (opens BizPac Review)
Published Apr 20, 2023
BizPac Review's feed description
Musk is paying for several notable names on Twitter to keep their blue checkmarks: Stephen King, William Shatner, Ice-T, and LeBron James.