Trump Admin Investigating Why IRS Nominee's X Account Followed Sexual Content
Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Billy Long, is facing scrutiny over his social media activity on the platform X, formerly Twitter. A recent audit by Rolling Stone has uncovered a pattern of following sexual and "Not Safe For Work" content on Long's account.
A Controversial Pick for IRS Commissioner
Long, 69, is a veteran congressman from Missouri who has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration. His nomination has been dogged by controversy over his past promotion of a tax-avoidance scheme and his touting of a "dubious" credential as a tax professional.
A Hack or Unauthorized Access?
In response to questions from Rolling Stone, a Trump senior transition official claimed that the sexual content followed by Long's account was the result of a hack. The official stated that there had been unauthorized access to the account in the 11th hour before his hearing, and they are currently investigating the matter.
More Than 8,000 Accounts Followed
Long follows more than 8,000 accounts on Twitter, but it is unclear whether the recent adult-oriented follows are in keeping with past practice. Rolling Stone requested access to the complete list of accounts that Long follows, but the Trump official declined to make that available.
A Connection to Elon Musk?
Long's account recently followed a set of accounts that are interesting only because of whom these users follow - namely lots of adult content creators. Some have speculated that there may be a connection between Long's account and Elon Musk, who owns the X platform.
A Growing Controversy
The IRS has previously been marred by controversy over IRS employees who looked at adult content on work computers. The agency must also enforce tax laws on adult performers, who have unique tax situations, and have been implicated in complex tax dodges.
Project 2025 and the Republican Party's Culture War
The conservative policy playbook for the Trump presidency, Project 2025, insists that porn is not protected by the First Amendment and that "its purveyors are... misogynistic exploiters of women." It calls adult entertainment "as addictive as any illicit drug" and "as psychologically destructive as any crime," and demands its creators and distributors be jailed and for the platforms "that facilitate its spread" to be shut down.
A Representative's Personal Views
It is somewhat difficult to establish Long's personal or political views on pornography. In part, that's because Google searches surface adult films - made by a completely unrelated male, same-sex creator who uses "Billy Long" as his nom de porn.
Long Unfollows Accounts After Rolling Stone Questions
Subsequent to Rolling Stone questioning, Long's account appears to have unfollowed Pregnant Redhead and other sexually themed accounts. However, it remains unclear whether this is a sign of a genuine effort to change his social media behavior or simply a reaction to scrutiny.
A Hearing Looms
Long's hearing as the potential IRS commissioner is looming, and his social media activity will likely be scrutinized by lawmakers and the public. The controversy surrounding his account has raised questions about his fitness for the position and whether he can effectively lead the agency in a way that upholds the law and promotes transparency.