Did NFL player Travis Kelce publicly say he would leave X, calling the platform a
“hate machine” and “toxic waste dump”? No, that’s not true:, Kelce’s account was
still on the platform. An advanced search on X did not return any posts supporting
his supposed description of the platform. There are no credible reports that confirm
Kelce having made such a statement.

The claim appeared in a post on Facebook on November 18, 2024, that read:

NFLTravis Kelce announced that he’s leaving Elon Musk’s ‘Hate Machine’ X app,
Calling it a ‘Toxic waste dump’ after his Scathing and Hurtful comments about Taylor
Swift

BREAKING: NFL’s Travis Kelce Announces He’s Leaving Elon Musk’s ‘Hate Machine’ X
App, Calling It a ‘Toxic Waste Dump’ After Scathing and Hurtful Comments About
Taylor Swift.

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through both the sports and
entertainment worlds, NFL star Travis Kelce has officially announced that he’s
leaving Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “toxic
waste dump.” The decision comes after the platform was flooded with hurtful and
scathing comments about his rumored relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift.

Kelce, known for his tight end role with the Kansas City Chiefs and his high-profile
romance with Swift, expressed his frustration over the negative environment on the
platform, which has become a breeding ground for online hate and vitriol. He
specifically pointed to the harsh and often demeaning remarks directed at Swift,
which he found unacceptable and damaging.

In a powerful statement shared across his other social media accounts, Kelce
condemned the atmosphere on X, referring to it as “toxic” and “destructive to the
mental health of those who are simply trying to live their lives.” He added that it
had become increasingly difficult to ignore the barrage of cruel comments, and that
his decision to leave was ultimately about prioritizing his well-being and the safety
of his loved ones.

“People are entitled to their opinions, but the level of hatred and negativity
surrounding Taylor and me is something I refuse to be a part of,* Kelce wrote.
“Social media should be a space for positivity, but X has become a platform that
fuels division and disrespect. I won’t stand for it anymore.”

Kelce’s exit from X is a significant moment for the platform, which has faced
increasing criticism since Musk’s acquisition, particularly around issues of hate
speech and harassment. Despite the controversy, Kelce’s decision resonates with
many fans and public figures who are speaking out against the toxic culture that
can often permeate social media platforms.

As of now, it remains unclear how this decision will impact Kelce’s social media
presence, but the message he sent is clear: standing up for respect and kindness,
especially when it comes to loved ones, is more important than any online
following.

This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:

At the time of writing, Kelce’s official X account was still on the platform. An
advanced keyword search on X revealed that none of his posts mention the
platform being a “hate machine” or a “toxic waste dump” .

Lead Stories did a search using keywords on Google News, which found no
credible documents or reporting to confirm Kelce’s supposed exit from the
platform.

We also searched for keywords on Google that included “hate machine” and “toxic
waste dump*. The results yielded copies of the claim across social media platforms.
However, no results supported the quote’s authenticity.