German Soccer Fan Deactivates X Account After Backlash

A German soccer fan whose viral social media posts celebrating a World Cup road trip across the United States attracted hundreds of thousands of followers has deactivated his X account, citing a toxic online backlash that he says has ruined the fun of his journey. The fan, known online as Freddy, announced his departure from the platform on Tuesday, June 30.

Freddy, who had amassed over 700,000 followers in a matter of days, had meticulously documented his travels with two friends, sharing enthusiastic reactions to American staples like the Bucees gas station chain, Waffle House, and country music singer Ella Langley. His anonymous persona, represented by an image of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, and his focus on everyday experiences resonated with a wide audience, drawing attention from celebrities and officials.

In statements posted to Instagram, Freddy explained that the decision to leave X was due to mounting criticism and personal attacks. He said some users had combed through his roughly 22,000 past posts to resurface old content, attempting to portray him negatively. This included sharing past comments he made on racial issues and his use of a racial slur in the context...