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Being canceled for something you wrote on social media years ago might be unfair, unjust, and unreasonable, but being canceled for recently calling for death by fire on half of America's population, as well as the deportation of a legitimate Green Card holder, is probably quite reasonable.
Ryan Selkis, the CEO and co-founder of crypto research firm Messari, has felt the internet's wrath after sending out politically charged tweets that ultimately led to the resignation of his position.
In one now-deleted tweet, Selkis called for the death of anyone who doesn't vote for former President Donald Trump, stating, "Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a fucking fire."
![Selkis tweet (X)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/LeaNX-Ud81ngO6wC2c7CJ75JCjQ=/811x257/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/EEIDW557EZHEBCAHX27Q4T63H4.png)
One day later, he called out the left's "Bolshevism" and its "metastatic cancer," as well as suggesting that people finish violence with violence.
"Bolshevism cannot be cured with votes," Selkis stated. "We must excise the metastatic cancer and evil of the left, by force if necessary. This is why the Second Amendment was and is so important. Do not initiate violence, but if it’s brought to your door, finish with violence."
Selkis then took aim at individuals, calling for an immigrant to be sent back. "Are you a citizen or just a green card holder?" Selkis questioned an X commenter in a heated debate.
"I've been a green card holder for more than a decade and am about to initiate the process of becoming a citizen. What practical difference does that make in the context of this conversation?" The X user wrote.
Selkis then replied saying he was hoping for his separation. "I hope we send you back. That’s why I was asking. Sorry," Selkis responded.
I hope we send you back. That’s why I was asking. Sorry.
— Ryan Selkis (d/acc) 🇺🇸 (@twobitidiot) July 17, 2024
Understandably, Selkis' remarks were met with overwhelming disapproval online. "This is the insanity (and honestly stupidity) of people like Selkis. He wants to kick legal residents out of the country because they...wait for it...disagree with him. How "American"..." Wrote one X commenter.
This is the insanity (and honestly stupidity) of people like Selkis. He wants to kick legal residents out of the country because they...wait for it...disagree with him. How "American"... pic.twitter.com/QCKwws2PK7
— Michael Crupto 🛸(🌸, 🌿) (@michaelcrupto) July 17, 2024
"Take out the candidate's name, this is the kind of rage and loss of self-control that will justify any means necessary to win in their pursuit. The total opposite of who you want to..." highlighted another.
"Anyone the votes against ××× at this point can die in a fire fucking fire. Literal war."
— Biggly Bill Brasky ⚔️🪽🔥💀 (@BiggBillBrasky) July 18, 2024
Take out the candidate's name, this is the kind of rage and loss of self-control that will justify any means necessary to win in their pursuit. The total opposite of who you want to...
Following the backlash, Selkis announced his resignation from Messari. "A leader's first responsibility is to his team. This week was the first week in 6.5 years that my politics and rhetoric put the team in harm's way. As such, I have decided to step aside as CEO," he said on X, adding that his founding teammate Eric Turner will take over the position.
A leader's first responsibility is to his team.
— Ryan Selkis (d/acc) 🇺🇸 (@twobitidiot) July 19, 2024
This week was the first week in 6.5 years that my politics and rhetoric put the team in harms way.
As such, I have decided to step aside as CEO.
My friend, colleague, and founding teammate @ericturnr will be taking the helm. pic.twitter.com/6icM6efMUu
Messari confirmed the move but claimed Selkis's decision stemmed from a desire to focus on crypto policy.
"Ryan recently let us know of his decision to step back from an operational role as the CEO of Messari so that he can focus his time fully on crypto policy and national issues of importance to him. Messari would not be the company it is today, or what it will be in the future, without Ryan’s clear vision and devoted leadership," Messari said on X.
![](https://www.blockhead.co/content/images/2024/07/4584408698_e3ea3bb4eb_b.jpg)
"Eric has been with Messari since Day 1, playing a critical role in building our research team, developing foundational products, and managing key customer relationships. Under Eric's leadership, we will continue our commitment to delivering world-class products."
Ryan recently let us know of his decision to step back from an operational role as the CEO of Messari so that he can focus his time fully on crypto policy and national issues of importance to him. Messari would not be the company it is today, or what it will be in the future,…
— Messari (@MessariCrypto) July 19, 2024