Tesla CEO Elon Musk started toying with Twitter on Monday, following news the entrepreneur has become the largest shareholder of the Left-wing social media platform.
Musk first tweeted, “Oh hi lol,” to his 80.4 million followers, racking up more than 766,000 likes.
Oh hi lol
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 4, 2022
Then Musk moved on to the idea of adding an edit button to Twitter, something many users have begged for.
“Do you want an edit button?” the poll read, with the options jokingly reading, “yse” and “on.”
As of Tuesday morning, 2,800,000-plus users have responded to the poll.
Do you want an edit button?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2022
“So [Elon Musk] is just gonna influence twitter by polling millions of people on important issues,” one Twitter user said, adding a sunglasses emoji.
Musk responded, “I mean, if the people vote overwhelmingly for something, it is at least *a* data point!”
I mean, if the people vote overwhelmingly for something, it is at least *a* data point!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2022
Twitter shares surged on Monday after a regulator filing was released, revealing that Musk has become the platform’s largest shareholder, taking a 9.2% stake in Twitter Inc.
Musk last month teased a shakeup at Twitter, or possible plans to build a new social media platform that promotes free speech.
For example, he asked his followers to vote in a poll about free speech and Twitter’s adherence to it, emphasizing that the “consequences of this poll will be important.”
“Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?” the 50-year-old asked. “The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.”
The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
When the poll came back to show that more than 70% of the 2,000,000-plus who voted answered “No,” Musk teased creating a new platform of his own.
“Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?” he asked, following up, “Is a new platform needed?”
Is a new platform needed?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
The next day, the entrepreneur said he was giving “serious thought” to building a new platform with “an open source algorithm,” promoting free speech.
“Would you consider building a new social media platform, [Elon Musk]?” one Twitter user asked. “One that would consist an open source algorithm, one where free speech and adhering to free speech is given top priority, one where propaganda is very minimal. I think that kind of a platform is needed.”
“Am giving serious thought to this,” Musk responded.
Am giving serious thought to this
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 27, 2022
Top tech analyst Dan Ives said Monday morning Musk’s move at Twitter is “just the appetizer” of what’s to come.
“This is just a starter … Musk is not gonna do this just to take a passive stake,” Ives told CNBC’s Squawk Box. “He’s gonna ultimately try to either really change Twitter in terms of a more active stake or eventually, could lead to a buyout.”
Related: Elon Musk Becomes Twitter’s Largest Shareholder After Shakeup Tease
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