X Defends US University Student Punished For Free Speech (Image: Unsplash)

The micro-blogging platform X, formerly Twitter, has employed lawyers to defend a US university student who is facing disciplinary action from the university over posts he made on the platform. This is the first time so far that X is paying legal fees to support users” free speech. Earlier in August, Elon Musk announced that X will cover the legal costs of any user who gets in trouble for their activity on the social media platform.

The Financial Times reported that the student was accused in early November of violating the school’s student code of conduct after a post on X that misrepresented a closed conference event, depicting it as an open gathering with free food. The report also revealed that Juan David Campolargo, the student at the University of Illinois, is at risk of being kicked out of campus housing as a result of the disciplinary action. The lawyers, representing the student “with the support of X-Corp”, argued in a letter written on November 14 that the university would be subject to “freedom of speech” violations if they did not reverse the findings aganist Campolargo. The Financial Times also reported that the student would have a claim against the university for violation of his First Amendment rights.

We will do whatever it takes to support your right to free speech! https://t.co/fdwOWguuko

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 16, 2023

Billionaire Elon Musk has also confirmed this legal backing. “We will do whatever it takes to support your right to free speech!” wrote Musk on his X handle on November 17. Earlier, Musk announced through X that he would cover legal fees for people mistreated by their employers because of something they posted or liked on X. “If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill. No limit. Please let us know,” Musk announced on X on August 5.