In a dramatic turn of events, Brazil's Supreme Court has issued an ultimatum to X, the popular social media platform, demanding that its billionaire owner Elon Musk appoint a legal representative in the country within 24 hours. Failure to comply with this order could result in the suspension of X's activities, as stated by Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes in a recently made public order.

This latest development further escalates a prolonged conflict between Musk and de Moraes, who has been leading a crackdown on what he deems as misinformation and disinformation in Brazil, a country with a population exceeding 200 million. Over the years, de Moraes has ordered the suspension of over 100 X accounts, including those belonging to supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, who had propagated claims about electoral fraud in Brazil, lost the 2022 election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Back in April, de Moraes accused Musk of spearheading a "disinformation campaign" and disrespecting Brazil's sovereignty after Musk decided to stop complying with court orders to block certain X accounts. Musk, known for his views as a free speech absolutist, fired back by accusing de Moraes of stifling free speech and violating the Brazilian constitution.

Earlier this month, X announced its decision to shut down its operations in Brazil, citing threats from de Moraes towards one of the company's legal representatives if they failed to comply with takedown orders. This move has been seen as a direct response to the ongoing tensions between Musk and the Supreme Court.

Critics of de Moraes argue that he has overstepped his authority in suppressing political opponents, including right-wing allies of Bolsonaro. The former president, who has been barred from running for office until 2030 due to his claims about electronic voting, has been at the center of a polarizing political landscape in Brazil.

Supporters of de Moraes defend his actions, highlighting the necessity of combating rampant disinformation and addressing the threats posed to democracy by right-wing factions.

It is worth noting that Musk met with Bolsonaro in 2022 to discuss the expansion of his satellite internet service, Starlink, as well as other technology projects in the region.

With just hours remaining until the deadline set by the Supreme Court, the fate of X in Brazil hangs in the balance. All eyes are on Elon Musk as he must decide whether to comply with the court's demand and potentially salvage the platform's presence in the Latin American country or face the suspension of its activities, triggering a potentially significant blow to the social media giant.