Jeremy Clarkson has publicly sided with Piers Morgan after the broadcaster raised concerns about what he described as increasingly abusive behaviour on social media platform X, marking an unexpected moment of agreement between two men with a famously turbulent history.
The Oxfordshire farmer, pub landlord and Clarkson’s Farm star responded after Morgan criticised the state of X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming the platform has become increasingly hostile and unpleasant for users. Morgan, who has been outspoken about online discourse in the past, suggested that the volume and tone of abuse had reached a level that was driving many people away.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, December 17, Morgan wrote:
“Is it just me, or is this platform being overrun by horribly abusive trolls? So many friends of mine have had enough of it and stopped using X. I’ll stay, but I hope Elon Musk does something about the tidal wave of vile filth. It’s getting worse and worse.”
The post attracted thousands of responses and reignited debate over moderation on the platform since it was acquired by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2022. Since the takeover, X has undergone a series of changes to its policies, verification system and content moderation approach, sparking ongoing controversy among users, journalists and public figures.
Clarkson, 65, joined the discussion by replying directly to Morgan’s comments, offering his own assessment of the situation.
“It’s not the filth that bothers me so much as the stupidity,” Clarkson wrote, a remark that quickly gained traction among followers.
The exchange surprised many observers, given the long and sometimes combative history between the two media personalities. Clarkson and Morgan have clashed publicly on multiple occasions over the years, most notably at the British Press Awards in 2004, where Clarkson struck Morgan following an argument.
Despite the incident, which became part of UK media folklore, the relationship between the pair appears to have softened with time. Last week, Morgan posted a photograph of himself alongside Clarkson at a formal event, jokingly captioning the image: “Great to catch up with my fans at Christmas.”
The post prompted amusement among followers, many of whom were quick to point out the irony of the two men appearing together so amicably given their past.
Morgan has since reflected on the incident in his recent book Woke Is Dead, where he offered a characteristically blunt recollection of the confrontation. Writing about the altercation, Morgan said:
“He ended up punching me before we settled things at the British Press Awards. I’ve still got the scar on my forehead, and it wasn’t entirely unjustified, so I have no complaints about it — although I did think he had a very weak punch, and he did break his finger hitting my head, which is quite satisfying.”
Despite their past differences, the latest exchange highlights a shared frustration with the current state of online debate. Both men are prolific users of social media and have large followings, frequently engaging in political, cultural and media discussions.
Clarkson, who regularly uses X to comment on farming policy, rural life and current affairs, has previously criticised what he sees as declining standards of debate online. Morgan, meanwhile, has repeatedly called for stronger action against abuse while also defending free speech.
Their rare moment of agreement underscores a broader concern among public figures that X’s evolving environment may be driving away users who once relied on the platform for discussion, news and debate.
As pressure continues to mount on Elon Musk to address user complaints, the intervention from two of Britain’s most outspoken media figures is likely to add further fuel to an already heated conversation about the future direction of the platform.
