‘We will do whatever it takes to support your right to free speech’: X to cover legal fees for Illinois student facing discipline over posts

Musk, who is a billionaire "free speech absolutist," promised in August that X would cover legal costs for users on the platform who have been unfairly treated by employers over posts they had made on X.

Making good on his promise, Musk confirmed the legal backing of the student and wrote on X: "We will do whatever it takes to support your right to free speech!"

The account X News Daily announced that the defense of the Illinois college student marks the "first known example so far of X paying legal fees to support users' free speech."

Juan David Campolargo, a student at the University of Illinois, was accused in early November of breaking the school's code of conduct when he issued a post on X that misrepresented a closed conference event, portraying it as an open gathering with free food, according to documents obtained by the Financial Times.

As a result of the post, the letter said that Campolargo is at risk of disciplinary action that includes being kicked out of campus housing, the outlet reports.

Lawyers at Schaerr Jaffe, who are representing Campolargo, said they are helping the student "with the support of X-Corp."

On November 14, the lawyers argued in the letter that the University of Illinois would be subject to "freedom of speech" violations if they did not "reverse the preliminary finding" against the student.

"Should the University uphold and punish Mr Campolargo for his September 30, 2023 posts, Mr Campolargo would have a claim against the University for violation of his First Amendment rights," the letter states, according to the Financial Times.

Musk promised to foot the legal costs for his users as a means to aid in the fight against cancel culture.

"If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill," Musk announced in August.

He emphasized that there will be "no limit."

Musk went on to say that the lawsuits will be "extremely loud" and will address companies' BODs as well.

In April 2022, the Space X and Tesla CEO purchased Twitter for the hefty price of $44 billion. Musk said he made the purchase to ensure that "free speech" continues to thrive in America, and called the First Amendment "the bedrock of a functioning democracy."