Charles Barkley figuratively broke the Internet when he broke his no social media policy in February. After very limited Facebook activity for years, he finally made it on Instagram where Shaquille O’Neal was already trolling him. But don’t hold your breaths for unfiltered, blunt, hilarious Chucksterisms on X. When Lucas Brody of The Broadcast Boys caught up with him after the Western Conference Finals to ask him 26 questions he has never been asked before. There’s one question he has been asked though and his stance hasn’t changed despite his new upcoming influencer status.

Brody threw out a couple of Barkley’s famous quotes to check if he still holds the same opinion. Top of that list is his longstanding statement, “social media is where losers go to feel important.” In June 2024, Chuck’s opinion on it is, “Yes, 100%.”

Interestingly, Barkley joined Instagram after much reluctance in February and has built a following of 393k fans and growing. TNT made a day out of it. Shaq, Kenny and Ernie tried to teach him the ropes and possibly make him join OnlyFans. He was taught about ‘sliding into DMs’ and ‘Finsta.’ He clumsily held his first Insta Live from Studio J and has grown to holding AMAs and posting Reels on his own.

While on the SI Media podcast last week, Jimmy Traina also asked him as a new Instagram user does he thinks it’s still for losers. Barkley made it strictly clear it was for work and not fun.

“It’s been an interesting thing because I got a vodka and a gin. You know I look for business in Alabama, so I bought a distillery in Alabama, and they’re like, ‘You can’t just go word of mouth. You need to hold some events, do some bottle signings,’ and things like that. And they said, ‘The best way to get your message out is put it on Instagram when you have these bottle signings and things like that’ and I say I’ll do it,” said Barkley, referring to Redmont Vodka, his Birmingham-based distillery.

Redmont Vodka partnered with Steve Harvey on his charity golf event recently. Barkley was there and had social media updates for it on the ‘Gram. But don’t expect more.

Charles Barkley draws a line

When his business associates were pitching social media as a marketing tool, Barkley apparently told them, “I’m not gonna go back and forth… I don’t want losers thinking their opinion matter.” Although he’s getting the hang of Instagram, he reiterated he’s not going to be joining X and posting his opinions any time soon. So he keeps his activity online limited and his team manages most of his business related posts.

He however dove down a few niche communities on Instagram. He’s become Instagram mutuals with Andrew Zimmern and his food-themed posts and the country pop duo, Dan + Shay. He follows a few other comedians and A-listers, Shannon Sharpe, and Draymond Green. But not his Gram mentor, Shaq.

It’s okay if Chuck wants to say his commentary for TV instead of X. Instagram influencer Sir Charles is unbeatable anyway.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.