Companies typically choose courts linked to their headquarters—like Meta using California courts for Instagram. However, under X’s new terms of service, effective 15 November, legal matters will be heard in a district known for Republican-appointed judges.
Experts see this as a strategic move to shield X from increasing criticism, particularly over election misinformation and claims of conservative bias.
Musk also highlighted a 15.5% increase in new user sign-ups on X, with an estimated 43% surge in sign-ups during the US election vote count. Musk’s political ties, including his support for Donald Trump, further underscore his legal strategy, with a Trump victory potentially reducing regulatory pressure on X.
Despite this, state attorneys general and other parties may still pursue legal action. The Northern District of Texas has become a hotspot for conservative legal challenges on issues such as immigration and gun control, though its judges have limited experience with tech industry lawsuits, according to Cornell’s G.S. Hans.