Bluesky CEO Jay Graber Claps Back at Mark Zuckerberg with ‘A World Without Caesars’ Shirt at SXSW

The tech world loves a good showdown, and this week at South by Southwest (SXSW), Bluesky CEO Jay Graber delivered one in style. Sporting a bold black T-shirt with the Latin phrase “Mundus sine caesaribus”—meaning “a world without Caesars”—Graber took a sharp, witty swing at Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg during a Monday panel. This wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a calculated clapback to Zuckerberg’s own Latin-emblazoned tee from September, which read “aut Zuck aut nihil” (“either a Caesar or nothing”). What’s behind this T-shirt tussle? A clash of visions for the future of social media—and a whole lot of shade. Let’s break it down.

A Latin Lesson in Tech Rivalry

The stage was set long before SXSW. Last fall, Zuckerberg flexed his classical chops with a shirt that riffed on the Roman saying “aut Caesar aut nihil,” positioning himself as a modern-day tech emperor. Fast forward to March 11, 2025, and Graber flipped the script. Her “Mundus sine caesaribus” shirt isn’t just a clever comeback—it’s a manifesto. Bluesky’s head of special projects, Emily Liu, told HuffPost: “We believe that our shared communication infrastructure is too important to be left in the hands of a single CEO or company.” Translation? Graber’s not here for tech monarchs like Zuckerberg calling the shots. She’s pitching a decentralized dream where users, not CEOs, hold the power.

SXSW: The Perfect Battleground

Why drop this bombshell at SXSW? It’s the ultimate tech-culture mashup—where innovation meets spectacle. Graber’s panel appearance wasn’t just about touting Bluesky’s microblogging platform; it was a chance to steal the spotlight and send a message. With attendees buzzing about Threads, X, and the next big thing in social media, her T-shirt turned heads and sparked conversations. It’s a masterclass in subtle yet savage branding—Zuckerberg’s “Caesar” vibe got roasted without Graber even needing to name him. The crowd ate it up, and the internet followed suit. X posts about the shirt are already lighting up timelines.

Bluesky’s Vision vs. Meta’s Empire

This isn’t just about T-shirts—it’s a philosophical slugfest. Zuckerberg’s Meta has long pushed a centralized model, weaving Instagram, Facebook, and Threads into a tightly controlled ecosystem. Bluesky, on the other hand, is betting on openness. Liu summed it up: “A world without Caesars” means “an open network that returns meaningful choice and ownership to each individual user.” Graber’s shirt isn’t just a jab; it’s a rallying cry for a future where no single “Caesar” (looking at you, Zuck) dictates how we connect online. Will Bluesky’s decentralized gamble pay off? That’s the trillion-dollar question.

Want to join the rebellion—or just snag some slick Latin threads? You can grab your own “Mundus sine caesaribus” shirt at Fremont Clothing, where style meets statement. Whether you’re Team Bluesky or just here for the drama, this T-shirt war proves one thing: in tech, even the wardrobe’s got beef.