[user104658]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

Musk is realising that it's those with the most followers that create the whole twitter audience engagement and that, as a consequence, is what drives advertising revenues. The revenue from blue tick subs is a drop in the ocean compared to advertising revenue

The only two possibilities here, I think, are

1) He underestimated people's pride/stubbornness and assumed they would subscribe, but it's seen as a bit "uncool" .

or 2) He knew they wouldn't, he knew it would piss people off, and he's actively trying to bankrupt the company. Given a few of his recent moves, I find this a very real possibility. I have no idea what he would gain from doing so but some of his decisions are unfathomable if it's not the case.