Generation Z celebrates being sworn in as a lawyer – goes viral for all the wrong reasons

On her 26th birthday, Lailah Elliot shared a simple, joyful update: “Today I turned 26 and was officially sworn in as a lawyer.” She posted a few celebratory photos on X (formerly Twitter) and hoped to share her milestone with friends and family to share. Instead, their announcement went viral, attracting over 20.1 million views and a mix of applause and critical scrutiny.

“Posting that was a big moment for me,” Elliot said Newsweekwho reflects on her journey through law school at Southern Methodist University. “I wanted to share it with my loved ones who have been following my progress.”

While some users congratulated Elliot, others picked up on smaller details, like how she held a pen and even debated her outfit choice.

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“That’s how you know you’ve officially become a liar. I mean lawyer,” one user quipped. The incident sparked discussion on social media, with @neverstopwithshari commenting: “Just further proof that a sister can do everything right and still get hate.” The TikTok user went on to criticize the energy put into scrutinizing Elliots outfit was spent. Newsweek contacted @neverstopwithshari via email.

The strong reaction to Elliot's post reflects a broader trend at X, where there is evidence that public scrutiny has become increasingly aggressive since Elon Musk took over the platform.

Research by ISD and CASM Technology for BBC Panorama in 2023 found a sharp increase in newly created accounts following known misogynistic channels on the platform, correlating with Musk's ownership milestones and the reintroduction of controversial figures. Analysts noted that after the acquisition, the number of accounts linked to these channels increased by nearly 70 percent, a change that some linked to the perception of greater leniency toward abusive behavior.

Since taking over from Musk,

Despite the backlash, Elliot remains undeterred. “I was shocked that my post went viral,” she said, adding that her posts usually receive around 100 likes from her close friends and family.

“However, the support far outweighed the negativity. Many young people have contacted me saying they feel inspired to study law or pursue higher education. That’s more than enough reason for me to keep posting.”

Elliot says she will likely filter her comments more carefully in the future, but won't let the experience stop her from celebrating her successes.