Fact check: Did Elon Musk change the X like button for 2024 Miss Universe? Viral claim debunked
A major social media claim against Elon Musk is making rounds which states that he had reportedly changed the X-like button for the 2024 Miss Universe, which took place on Sunday, November 17, at 7.30 AM IST. Pictures and videos circulating on X claim that Musk had altered the platform's "like" button to show support for the winner.
It reportedly started when X user @UtdTreyJinxed uploaded a clip from the Miss Universe contest along with a picture of a fiery emoji with a caption that read:
“BIG NEWS: It’s real—it actually happened! Elon Musk has changed the like button just for Miss Universe.. #MissUniverse #MissUniverse2024 #MissUniverso.”
However, it's not true, as X has already debunked the claims and attached a link to the post that will lead the users to the original page that reportedly gave rise to the rumor in the first place.
X further claimed that the second image is of a hashmoji that can be used only in Germany. The post is reportedly using the hashmoji as an engagement bait.
No, Elon Musk did not change the X like button for 2024 Miss Universe
A rumour emerged that Elon Musk reportedly changed the X-like button for the 2024 Miss Universe. However, it's not true. The emoji which is making rounds on the internet is called the hashmoji. The like button, which later turned out to be a hashmoji, has nothing to do with the 2024 Miss Universe winner.
The rumor reportedly started to circulate after the hashmoji and the name of the 2024 Miss Universe started trending at the same time. X page @hashmojis initially used the emoji with a caption that read:
“Hit the for a fiery surprise #Banishers ([German] only).”
Hashmojis are custom emojis that show up on X whenever a user uses a certain hashtag. Additionally, according to X Business, it enables a person to create a brand-new, personalized emoji.
Hashmojis are incorporated when a brand is highlighted in a very relevant way and when a user includes its hashtag in a post, which makes the brand stand out. Using hashmojis can improve brand favorability.
For instance, during the UEFA Champions League final, Superbet employed hashtags to boost brand favorability. Users also use this to increase awareness and engagement. Hashmojis, like Custom Likes, can be used to add distinctive animations to specific tweets.
These personalized Likes buttons are currently only available in limited quantities in the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Australia, Canada, France, South Korea, and some other places.
So, the 2024 Miss Universe has nothing to do with the button. On the other hand, even Banishers have nothing to do with the emoji as well. The Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden video game came out in February 2024, and since then, #Banishers has been trending on the X. X page. @hashmojis also used the same to reportedly boost their post engagement.
On the other hand, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, 21, made history as she became the first Danish competitor to win the title of Miss Universe in the pageant's 72-year history. A competitive dancer, businesswoman, and future lawyer, the 21-year-old defeated over 120 competitors to win the annual beauty pageant in Mexico City.
At the grand finale, which took place at Mexico City's Arena CDMX, more than 120 competitors from all over the world competed for the coveted crown. Finally, Cnidimma Adetshina of Nigeria won second place, and María Fernanda Beltrán of Mexico came third.