Social media exploded with reaction after news hit Monday morning that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become Left-wing social media platform Twitter’s largest shareholder, taking 9.2% stake in Twitter Inc.
“Game changer,” women’s rights activist and Olympic medalist Sharron Davies posted in reaction to the news.
Game changer! 👇🏼 https://t.co/XCbpIOwU5D
— Sharron Davies MBE (@sharrond62) April 4, 2022
Conservative host Liz Wheeler created a “to-do list” for Musk.
“Buy all of it,” she wrote as Musk’s first task, adding, “End shadowbanning. Open source curating of trends. Stop ‘misinformation’ warnings. Don’t ban science (gender & covid). Reinstate Alex Berenson, Dr. Robert Malone, Pres Trump & Babylon Bee,” and “Commit to FREE SPEECH.”
Twitter to-do list for @elonmusk:
– Buy all of it.
– End shadowbanning.
– Open source curating of trends.
– Stop “misinformation” warnings.
– Don’t ban science (gender & covid).
– Reinstate Alex Berenson, Dr. Robert Malone, Pres Trump & Babylon Bee.
– Commit to FREE SPEECH.— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) April 4, 2022
“If Musk helps restore [Twitter] to its free speech roots and moves it away from its left-wing censorship regime, it will be perhaps the most heroic and public-serving action I have seen a billionaire take in my lifetime,” wrote Claremont Institute senior fellow Jeremy Carl.
If Musk helps restore @Twitter to its free speech roots and moves it away from its left-wing censorship regime, it will be perhaps the most heroic and public-serving action I have seen a billionaire take in my lifetime. https://t.co/jxAXkIjrmY
— Jeremy Carl (@jeremycarl4) April 4, 2022
“Elon Musk and like-minded, free speech supporting billionaires buying a controlling stake in Twitter is the only plausible ‘market-based’ solution to censorship on the platform,” Will Chamberlain said.
Elon Musk and like-minded, free speech supporting billionaires buying a controlling stake in Twitter is the only plausible "market-based" solution to censorship on the platform
— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) April 4, 2022
“Elon Musk has just taken a 9.2% stake in Twitter. Watch them sweat!!!,” Rebel News’ Avi Yemini reacted.
Elon Musk has just taken a 9.2% stake in Twitter.
Watch them sweat!!!
— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) April 4, 2022
Musk recently teased a shakeup at Twitter, or possible plans to build a new social media platform that promotes free speech.
Last month, the Tesla CEO 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
Related: Elon Musk Becomes Twitter’s Largest Shareholder After Shakeup Tease
Related: ‘Just The Appetizer’: Top Tech Analyst Talks Musk Taking On Twitter Following Big Share Buy
Related: ‘Peace. Peace? I Hate The Word’: Elon Musk Slams Useless Pacifist Virtue Signaling