The claim: Elon Musk said journalists who use they/them pronouns will pay extra for verification

After billionaire Elon Musk took over Twitter in October, he began implementing several controversial changes. One proposed change, though its rollout is now on hold indefinitely, would require Twitter users to pay $8 every month to receive a blue checkmark.

This mark was once reserved for accounts of public interest that Twitter had verified met certain criteria. According to Musk, the new system will "democratize journalism" and "empower the voice of the people."

Some social media users are claiming Musk also said journalists who use they/them pronouns will have to pay extra for verification.

"BREAKING: @elonmusk says journalists with 'they/them' pronouns in bio will pay $16 monthly fee instead of the standard $8 for verification because 'they' identify as multiple people," reads the screenshot of a tweet in a Nov. 30 Instagram post (direct link, archived link).

The post received more than 9,000 likes in two days. Other versions of the claim on Instagram garnered thousands more likes. The original tweet was posted on Nov. 6 by former BlazeTV host Elijah Schaffer.

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But there is no evidence Musk planned to charge any they/them pronoun users – including journalists – more for verification or that he made any comments about it.

USA TODAY reached out to Twitter as well as Schaffer and...

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