Elon Musk has made it clear that verified twitter accounts who want to keep their coveted blue checkmarks will have to pay a price. $8/month to be exact. Obviously, there were some big names who weren't at all too pleased about the billionaire's cheapskate idea. Renowned author, Stephen King has made his thoughts on the matter heard.

$20 a month to keep my blue check? Fuck that, they should pay me. If that gets instituted, I’m gone like Enron.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 31, 2022

Musk immediately shot back blaming advertisers, but in the same breath lowering his offer.

We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 1, 2022

It's somewhat telling that Musk folded after one tweet.

Still loving that it took one tweet for Musk to drop his asking price by 60% https://t.co/0FwgLimgh8

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) November 1, 2022

not him haggling https://t.co/dWL4ZEAE3x

— haw (@oj_haw) November 1, 2022

Credit where credit is dude. Stephen King (a millionaire in his own right) stood his ground when questioned about not wanting to pay any amount of money to use the app as a verified user.

It ain't the money, it's the principal of the thing.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 31, 2022

Always one to get in the last word, Musk responded stating it's the only way to defeat bots and trolls.

I will explain the rationale in longer form before this is implemented. It is the only way to defeat the bots & trolls.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 1, 2022

It remains to be seen how many blue checkmarks will just decide to up and leave, and how many will stay verified only to give a billionaire more money.

To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022

If anything Musk might need to start charging Stephen King for living rent free in his head.