By Vineet Kumar 
Brazil’s First Lady, Janja Lula da Silva, didn’t hold back at a G20 social event in Rio de Janeiro, where she took a cheeky shot at Elon Musk. While speaking about the urgent need to regulate social media to curb misinformation, she jokingly blamed a ship’s horn interruption on the billionaire. “I think it’s Elon Musk,” she quipped, before delivering the knockout line: “I’m not afraid of you—f*** you, Elon Musk.”
Musk, known for his quick-witted online comebacks, didn’t miss the chance to respond. He posted a laughing emoji graphic on his platform X (formerly Twitter) and followed it up with a cryptic jab: “They are going to lose the next election.” The comment was widely interpreted as a dig at President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, her husband.
This fiery exchange is just the latest in an ongoing feud between Musk and the Brazilian government. Earlier this year, X faced a month-long suspension in Brazil after failing to appoint a legal representative and refusing to block accounts accused of spreading hate speech and “fake news.” It’s a stark example of how governments and tech moguls are increasingly clashing over the regulation of online platforms.
The incident also underscores broader frustrations with Musk’s laissez-faire approach to content moderation. For instance, in the U.S., X has been criticized for reinstating accounts linked to conspiracy theories, while in Europe, the company faced penalties for failing to curb disinformation about the Russia-Ukraine war. Janja’s bold remark, though unfiltered, reflects growing impatience with the unchecked power of social media giants.
Her comment is a reminder that tech billionaires like Musk, who famously dubbed himself “Chief Twit,” can’t escape scrutiny—whether it’s over his policies or his satellites accidentally blotting out the night sky. As for Janja, she seems more than ready to challenge his influence, one bold comment at a time.
