The Royal Society, a prestigious scientific institute, will hold a crucial meeting on Monday to discuss the expulsion of technology billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, over concerns about his promotion of misinformation.
The meeting comes after more than 3,000 people, including Nobel Prize winners, signed an open letter arguing that Musk had violated the Society’s code of conduct by spreading “unfounded conspiracy theories” on his social media platform, X. Researchers claim that changes Musk made to X after his 2022 takeover have led to a surge in misinformation.
Musk, who was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 2018, has repeatedly used his account to spread falsehoods, including inaccurate claims about COVID-19, vaccines, miscarriages, and heart problems. The Society’s code of conduct emphasizes the importance of respecting evidence and promoting the use of science “for the benefit of humanity and the good of the planet.”
The meeting, open to all members, will take place behind closed doors, and it remains unclear what action the Society might take. The Royal Society has stated that any issues raised regarding individual fellows are dealt with in strict confidence.
The discussion comes at a time when science and scientific integrity are under attack globally, and the Royal Society’s decision will be closely watched. As Professor Stephen Curry, author of the open letter, noted, “I hope today the Fellows will have the wisdom and courage to show that the Royal Society can publicly defend its values.”
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