After announcing that he would be leaving YouTube in 2020, Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg has taken a further step in exiting social media by scrubbing his Twitter account.
In a recently published video titled “I hate twitter,” the 30-year-old streamer expressed his frustration with media outlets, stating he doesn’t like the “constant posturing” and the social media platform has become a “cesspool of opinions.” His Twitter profile now reads: “I don’t use Twitter, this account is just to prevent fake accounts."
PewDiePie has recently surpassed 24 billion views and 100 million subscribers on YouTube, making the streamer’s channel the second-most-subscribed channel and most-viewed channel run by a single individual. The amount of success that PewDiePie has seen on the video-sharing platform has led to various partnerships and sponsorships, with some game developers even including references to the streamer in their games.
PewDiePie was also named as one of Time Magazine’s “World’s 100 Most Influential People in 2016.” While it’s unclear exactly what triggered the abrupt exit from Twitter, PewDiePie has come under fire throughout the years for his various use of racial slurs while streaming and other questionable tactics he has used to advertise his brand.
In 2017, a DMCA was filed against PewDiePie by Firewatch developer Campo Santo for his use of racial slurs on a stream. In October, PewDiePie was also banned in China after the streamer made jokes regarding Hong Kong protestors and comparing President Xi to Winnie the Pooh through the use of various memes. PewDiePie has also been involved in various feuds with fellow streamers Alinity and Amouranth
ThoughPewDiePie has made a substantial living from YouTube revenue, it appears the streamer has grown exhausted of social media as a whole and will look to take a new approach in 2020. “I’m feeling very tired,” the streamer said in his recent vlog discussing his decision to leave YouTube. “Early next year I’ll be away for a little while. I’ll explain that later.”
While fans are reasonably upset with PewDiePie’s departure from social media, it appears this could be the best thing for the streamer to do heading into a new year. He recently married fellow YouTuber Marzia Bisognin in August, who also recently announced her departure from YouTube, so it seems likely that the newlywed couple will look to possibly start a new adventure together. Whatever approach PewDiePie decides to take moving forward, fans will be eagerly waiting for his return.