In a surprising and outspoken move, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar has launched a public rebuke against tech billionaire Elon Musk, urging baseball fans to delete the X app (formerly known as Twitter) following Musk’s controversial decision to ban all Cardinals players from using Tesla products.
“This app is a joke,” Nootbaar posted to Instagram after deactivating his X account. “It’s no longer about community or conversation. It’s become a weapon for Elon Musk to spread false information, stir up division, and turn chaos into profit. I want no part of that.”
The tension erupted after Musk posted a cryptic yet explosive message on his X profile:
“Effective immediately, all players of the St. Louis Cardinals are banned from purchasing or operating any Tesla products. Actions have consequences.”
The message did not clarify what specific “actions” led to the ban, but insiders suspect it was related to recent comments made by several Cardinals players—including Nootbaar—criticizing the platform’s tolerance of hate speech and disinformation. Nootbaar in particular had been vocal in questioning Musk’s management of the app, calling it “a sinking ship built on lies.”
Speaking to reporters after practice, the 26-year-old MLB star didn’t hold back.
“When someone uses a global platform to silence voices, promote falsehoods, and attack people for speaking their truth, that’s not innovation. That’s exploitation,” Nootbaar said. “This app isn’t about connection anymore. It’s about control.”
He added, with firm resolve:
“I’m not going to scroll past Elon’s garbage posts anymore. If deleting X means taking a stand, then I’ll delete it every single day. We deserve better.”
The Cardinals have not released an official statement, but several teammates and other players across the league have shown public support. Pitcher Jack Flaherty reposted Nootbaar’s quote on Instagram, writing, “Respect. 100% agree.” Meanwhile, fans flooded social media with the hashtag #DeleteX, with thousands sharing screenshots of their deleted accounts and messages of solidarity with Nootbaar.
Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as “X” in 2023, has used the platform increasingly as a personal tool to promote his own views—often in ways that stir controversy. From promoting conspiracy theories to firing moderators who flagged hate speech, Musk’s approach to content moderation has caused widespread backlash from public figures, advertisers, and regulators alike.
But few have taken as bold a stance as Nootbaar.
In an Instagram story shared after deleting his X account, Nootbaar wrote:
“I believe in truth. I believe in honesty. And I believe in protecting the people who follow me from being bombarded with lies and propaganda. That’s all X is now. I’m done.”
His comments have sparked a broader conversation within Major League Baseball and beyond. Media analysts are calling it a “watershed moment” in the ongoing fallout surrounding Musk’s management of the platform.
Social media expert Casey Tran explained:
“When someone like Lars Nootbaar speaks up—not just as an athlete, but as a responsible voice in the public eye—it signals something deeper. This isn’t just about deleting an app. It’s about saying ‘enough’ to manipulation and misinformation.”
The impact was immediate. X began trending not for a product launch or viral meme, but for being abandoned by one of sports’ rising stars. Within 24 hours, over 50,000 tweets included the hashtag #DeleteX, many of them referencing Nootbaar’s decision and criticizing Musk’s handling of the platform.
This isn’t the first time Musk has clashed with high-profile figures. Musicians, actors, journalists, and tech experts have all criticized his management of X. But the Tesla ban targeting an entire team represents a new level of retaliation—and one that many see as authoritarian.
One viral post read:
“When Elon Musk starts banning entire MLB teams from buying Teslas just because they speak the truth, you know we’ve got a problem. Respect to Lars Nootbaar for being the voice of reason.”
When asked if he’s worried that speaking out might affect endorsement deals or bring backlash, Nootbaar seemed unfazed:
“I’m not here to please billionaires. I’m here to stand for what’s right. I don’t play ball with people who abuse power.”
He continued:
“It’s wild how fast a place meant for free expression became a tool for one man’s ego. People need to realize: it’s not free speech if only one voice gets heard — especially when that voice profits from lies.”
Musk has yet to respond directly to Nootbaar, though he did post shortly afterward:
“People who are afraid of open dialogue are free to leave.”
Ironically, that’s exactly what Nootbaar—and many of his fans—have done.
The move has added Lars Nootbaar to the growing list of public figures who have publicly turned their backs on the platform once considered essential to fame and fan engagement. But for Nootbaar, the decision seems to be more about principle than PR.
In a closing statement on his Instagram story, he said:
“I love this game. I love the people who support me. But I won’t support a platform that profits from confusion and chaos. This is bigger than baseball. This is about integrity.”
And with that, the message was clear: not all power is worth chasing, not all platforms are worth staying on — especially when truth is on the line.
As the MLB season continues and media scrutiny intensifies, all eyes will be on Musk’s next move — and whether other athletes will follow Nootbaar’s lead. One thing is certain: Lars Nootbaar has proven he’s not afraid to swing, on or off the field.
