The social network X, led by Elon Musk, encountered a series of disruptions throughout Monday, March 10, causing inconvenience to millions of users worldwide. According to the billionaire, the issues stemmed from a “massive cyberattack,” orchestrated by a large group or possibly a nation, though he did not specify the culprits or their motives. Data from DownDetector, a site that tracks online service outages, indicates that the instabilities began around 7 a.m. Brasília time and escalated throughout the day, affecting everything from app loading to post accessibility.
By 11 a.m., the peak of complaints reached nearly 40,000 user reports, underscoring the severity of the situation. Hours later, at 1:30 p.m., approximately 26,000 issues were still being reported, with users noting difficulties accessing the platform across various global regions. The widespread outage reignited discussions about X’s infrastructure, which has undergone significant changes since Musk took over the company in 2022, implementing drastic staff cuts and operational overhauls.
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the social network. On the same day, Tesla shares, another of Musk’s ventures, dropped by as much as 12% during midday trading, wiping out gains accumulated since Donald Trump’s election in November 2024. The episode highlights a challenging moment for the entrepreneur, who also serves as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the U.S. administration, suggesting that struggles across his various endeavors may be interconnected.
Waves of instability expose X’s vulnerabilities
User reports began surfacing early in the morning, with DownDetector logging 20,538 outages by 7 a.m. The situation briefly stabilized, only for a second wave of issues to hit around 11 a.m., nearly doubling the number of complaints. A third wave, starting at 1:30 p.m., kept the platform on edge, with many users reporting that the app failed to load entirely. The global scale of the disruption was confirmed by international versions of DownDetector, which recorded failures across multiple countries.
Since acquiring X, formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk has pursued an aggressive restructuring. Shortly after the purchase, he dismissed top executives and, within days, slashed approximately 3,500 employees—about half of the workforce. Ultimately, 80% of the staff was let go, and remaining employees were required to return to full-time office work, ending remote arrangements. These shifts, analysts suggest, may have undermined the company’s ability to respond swiftly to crises like the one faced on this Monday.
The lack of a robust team to address technical incidents raises questions about the platform’s resilience. Musk, in a post on X, hinted that the attack was “large and coordinated,” but offered no concrete evidence or further details. With X rarely addressing press inquiries, the absence of official communication left users without clear information about the cause or expected resolution timeline.
Tesla’s drop reflects Musk’s turbulent day
As X grappled with instability, the financial markets responded negatively to the news surrounding Elon Musk. Tesla shares, which had been riding high since Trump’s 2024 election win, plummeted by up to 12% during Monday’s midday trading. The decline erased recent gains for the automaker, which had benefited from expectations of favorable tech and energy policies under the new U.S. administration, where Musk wields influence as DOGE head.
Analysts suggest that the combination of X’s troubles and perceptions of instability across Musk’s enterprises may have shaken investor confidence. Tesla, often criticized for its heavy reliance on Musk’s persona, saw its market value take a hit on a day that also brought challenges to the billionaire elsewhere. His role in the Trump administration, including recent meetings where the president threatened to fire unresponsive government workers, adds further pressure to his already packed agenda.
The tough day for Musk comes amid growing scrutiny of his leadership decisions. The massive staff reductions at X and the centralization of its operations are seen as factors that may have left the social network exposed to cyberattacks. Meanwhile, Tesla’s stock drop underscores a moment when investors appear to be reassessing the risks tied to relying on such a multifaceted and polarizing figure.
Timeline of X’s issues on March 10
The events of this Monday on X followed a clear sequence, marked by peaks of instability that impacted millions. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments:
- 7 a.m. (Brasília time): Initial outage reports emerge, with 20,538 users flagging issues on DownDetector.
- 11 a.m.: A second wave strikes, with nearly 40,000 complaints, the day’s highest peak.
- 1:30 p.m.: A third wave sustains the disruption, with around 26,000 reports logged by early afternoon.
This timeline underscores the persistence of the issue throughout the day, with no definitive fix announced by mid-afternoon. The lack of transparency regarding the exact cause and duration fueled user frustration, particularly among those reliant on the platform for communication and work.
Global impact and user reactions
The disruption on X was not confined to one region, reaching a global scale that highlighted the platform’s widespread reliance. Users across continents reported similar issues, such as the inability to load posts or access the app. The breadth of the problem suggests that the alleged cyberattack targeted X’s core infrastructure, a point Musk emphasized in his claim of a coordinated effort.
In the United States, where X is a key channel for political discourse and real-time news, the outage coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions, such as military drills between South Korea and the U.S., prompting North Korea to launch ballistic missiles. In Canada, the X downtime overlapped with Mark Carney’s preparations to assume the role of prime minister, replacing Justin Trudeau. The disruption hampered real-time information sharing on these developments.
Reactions on alternative social platforms revealed user discontent. Many temporarily shifted to competing networks, while others demanded answers from Musk. The perception that X has grown more vulnerable since Musk’s changes gained traction, casting doubt on its reliability as a global interaction hub.
Factors that may have fueled the crisis
Several elements likely contributed to the crisis X faced. Here are some key points to consider:
- 80% staff reduction: The drastic cutback in employees since 2022 may have weakened the company’s technical response capacity.
- End of remote work: Mandating a full return to office settings could have hampered coordination during an emergency.
- Infrastructure shifts: Musk’s operational changes might have created vulnerabilities exploited in the attack.
- Musk’s divided focus: His roles in the Trump administration and Tesla may be diverting attention from X’s management.
Together, these factors point to a period of structural fragility for X. The lack of a strong team to counter cyber threats and insufficient investment in digital security are cited as potential reasons for the attack’s success.
Mounting pressure on Musk’s leadership
Elon Musk is navigating a stretch of simultaneous challenges across his businesses and public roles. The instability at X amplifies criticism of his management, particularly following the sweeping layoffs and operational shifts he introduced. The social network, once a leading global communication platform, now faces questions about its stability and security, as competitors gain ground.
Financially, Tesla’s stock decline reflects the interconnected nature of Musk’s ventures. The automaker’s performance, previously affected by controversies like Musk’s support for polarizing political groups in Germany, demonstrates how issues in one company can ripple to others. Tesla, which saw a 76% sales drop in Germany in recent months, now faces a fresh setback in the U.S. market.
Musk’s role in the Trump administration further complicates the picture. His close ties to the president, evident in recent meetings where Trump threatened to fire unresponsive staff, contrast with the struggles in his companies, hinting that the billionaire may be stretched thin. The president’s demand for efficiency, paired with Musk’s private-sector woes, intensifies the spotlight on his ability to deliver results across multiple domains.