In a move that has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk, who became Twitter’s largest shareholder Monday, will now be a member of the company’s board of directors.
“I’m excited to share that we’re appointing [Musk] to our board! Through conversations with Elon in recent weeks, it became clear to us that he would bring great value to our Board,” Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said Tuesday.
He’s both a passionate believer and intense critic of the service which is exactly what we need on @Twitter, and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term. Welcome Elon!
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) April 5, 2022
“He’s both a passionate believer and intense critic of the service which is exactly what we need on [Twitter] and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term. Welcome Elon!” he continued.
Musk said he’s “[l]ooking forward to working with Parag & Twitter board to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Twitter has often been criticized for censoring conservative commentators and conservative viewpoints.
Musk waded into the debate with a cryptic series of tweets on March 25.
“Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?” he asked, attaching a poll.
Of the two million poll respondents, more than 70 percent said they did not think Twitter defended free speech.
“The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully,” Musk added.
The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
On Monday, only 10 days after the poll, Musk acquired 9.2 percent of the company, making him the largest stakeholder.
Satire site The Babylon Bee has often fallen victim to Twitter censorship. It is currently restricted from using Twitter, after Twitter claimed the site violated its terms of service by making fun of Rachel Levine, a transgender biological male who is the United States Assistant Secretary for Health.
Babylon Bee Founder Seth Dillon revealed Tuesday that he spoke with Musk prior to Musk’s purchase of Twitter stock.
“Musk reached out to us before he polled his followers about Twitter’s commitment to free speech. He wanted to confirm that we had, in fact, been suspended,” Dylan said. “He even mused on that call that he might need to buy Twitter. Now he’s the largest shareholder and has a seat on the board.”
Musk reached out to us before he polled his followers about Twitter's commitment to free speech. He wanted to confirm that we had, in fact, been suspended. He even mused on that call that he might need to buy Twitter. Now he's the largest shareholder and has a seat on the board.
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) April 5, 2022
Many conservatives are hoping that Musk will reform the company so that it respects freedom of speech.
U.S. House Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03) said “it’s time to lift the political censorship,” and urged Twitter to reinstate former president Donald Trump’s account. Trump was banned from the platform in January of 2021.
“Elon Musk has made clear he opposes big tech censorship, and that’s something all freedom-loving Americans can get behind,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.
Elon Musk has made clear he opposes big tech censorship, and that’s something all freedom-loving Americans can get behind.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) April 5, 2022
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Elon Musk” by Elon Musk and “Twitter HQ” is by FASTILY CC4.0
