Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sparked controversy with his recent thank-you message to Brazil, just days after the South American country blocked access to the social media platform, X. The attorney general's post, which was shared in Portuguese on Monday, has garnered widespread criticism from conservatives. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also expressed his disapproval of Ellison's message, citing concerns about freedom of speech.

The ban on X in Brazil began on Saturday after the company failed to appoint a legal representative in the country within the specified deadline. Anyone attempting to bypass the blockade using VPNs could face hefty fines of nearly $9,000 on a daily basis, according to The Associated Press.

In response to Ellison's post, Elon Musk criticized the Democratic Party, accusing them of abandoning their previous support for the First Amendment. Musk's message drew attention to what he perceives as an effort to undermine freedom of speech.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes voiced his disapproval of Musk's comments, emphasizing the importance of Brazilian sovereignty and the judiciary. Moraes stated that Musk's disregard for national laws and judicial decisions presents him as a supranational entity exempt from the legal framework of each country.

Moraes also emphasized that Brazilian law mandates internet service companies to have representatives within the country. This requirement ensures that companies are aware of local court decisions and can take necessary action, such as removing illicit content or addressing election misinformation. X has been without a representative in Brazil since early August, as reported by the AP.

X issued a statement claiming that the ban was a result of their refusal to comply with "illegal orders" from Judge de Moraes to censor political opponents. The company argued that they have been transparent in their actions and will not secretly abide by unlawful demands, distinguishing themselves from other social media platforms.

Despite the ban, X reiterated their commitment to safeguarding freedom of speech for its users in Brazil and around the world. The platform's stance aligns with their assertion that they remain dedicated to protecting users' right to express their opinions.

The controversy surrounding Keith Ellison's message of gratitude to Brazil demonstrates the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of speech, internet regulation, and the balance of power between social media platforms and national governments.