Kansas City, MO – Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has announced his departure from Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “toxic dumping ground” after seeing Taylor Swift receive a barrage of negative comments.

Kelce, who is one of the most popular NFL players with a large social media following, has been vocal about the toxic environment on the platform. According to multiple sources, he was frustrated by the constant barrage of hateful comments from some users about his girlfriend, music superstar Taylor Swift.

“Social media is supposed to be a place for people to connect and spread positivity. But X has become a place filled with hate and negativity. I don’t want to be a part of it anymore,” Kelce said in an interview.

Taylor Swift Attacks

Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, has been the center of much controversy on social media since going public with her relationship with him. Some NFL fans were upset with Swift’s frequent appearances at Chiefs games, while others felt she was taking too much of the spotlight away from football.

The tension escalated when Swift attended the 2024 Super Bowl to cheer on Kelce, causing negative comments directed at her to increase. Many accounts on X made malicious comments, attacking both the singer’s career and personal life.

Travis Kelce Responds

Not standing aside, Travis Kelce strongly spoke up to defend his girlfriend, saying that she did not deserve these harsh words.

“Taylor has reached the top through her own talent and dedication. No one has the right to attack her just because she supports me on the field,” Kelce emphasized.

He also said that the decision to leave X was a way to protect himself from negativity, while also expressing his stance on cyberbullying.

How did the community react?

Following Kelce’s announcement, fans had mixed reactions. Some fans supported his decision, calling on him to move to friendlier platforms like Instagram or Threads. However, there were also criticisms, saying that he was “exaggerating the problem” and “couldn’t handle the pressure of social media”.

However, the wave of criticism against X continued to increase. Many users said that this platform was out of control and became a place to spread hatred instead of connecting the community.

Elon Musk Speaks Out

In response to criticism from Travis Kelce, billionaire Elon Musk – owner of X – has yet to give an official response. However, Musk has long been known for his support of “free speech,” frequently defending the platform’s lack of censorship.

Over the past year, X has seen many celebrities and influencers leave the platform for similar reasons, including the widespread spread of hate speech and misinformation.

Is This a Wake-Up Call for X?

The fact that a high-profile player like Travis Kelce has publicly criticized X could be a worrying sign for the platform. If celebrities and influencers continue to leave, X could face a significant decline in engagement and trust from users.

Meanwhile, Kelce and Swift fans continue to show their support, affirming that they will stand by the pair with or without X.