American mogul billionaire Elon Musk has struck a deal to buy Twitter for 44 billion dollars. The world’s richest person is taking over the influential social media favored by world leaders and celebrities. This deal could be in favor of the US Republicans who wish to win the upcoming elections.
Musk Vows Users Will Unlock Twitter’s Potential
Elon Musk, the electromechanical engineer from South Africa, is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Tesla is a company that makes electronic vehicles, and SpaceX is an aerospace company in the United States. Forbes and Bloomberg have ranked Elon Musk as the world’s richest person, with a net worth of 250 billion dollar. He had purchased Twitter for 44 billion dollar and planned to enhance the platform with news features. Elon Musk tweets a lot, and sometimes he had to apologize for some of his tweets. After the deal he tweeted that Twitter is the digital town spare where matters to the future of humanity. He also tweeted about the importance of free speech within a democracy. Elon Musk has mentioned that Twitter has tremendous potential, and he would work with the community of users to unlock it.
Twitter May Remove Trump’s Ban
Twitter has reopened Tucker Carson’s account after the announcement of the deal. Twitter has banned his account after the TV host had referred to transgender health secretary as a man. He has published a simple tweet: “We’re back”. There are speculations over former president’s suspended account. Elon Musk has not commented on how he would handle the banned account of Donald Trump. However, he has tweeted about free speech; it has reinforced speculation that Twitter may restore Trump’s account. Americans have used social platforms during the controversial 2020 US presidential election. Donald Trump, the former president, has tweeted controversial sentences after his rival had won the majority of votes. Tensions occurred in the US, and people stormed Capitol on January 6, 2021. Twitter has announced Trump’s supporters considered his statements as confirmation that the election was not legitimate. So, Twitter has decided to suspend his account.
Republicans Cheer Twitter Deal, Democrats Raise Alarm
The majority of Republicans have not supported the suspension of Trump’s Twitter account and raised concerns over censorship concerns. Nearly 80 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of independents have supported the ban. Twitter made it possible for Trump to have access to a large number of people at any moment. He did not have such access to the public on any other social networks. Some Republicans have cheered Elon Musk’s deal as a victory for free speech. Although many Republicans have welcomed the news, many Democrats have slammed it. The world’s richest man has said he wanted to promote free and open speech on Twitter. Elon Musk has said that his worst critics would remain on Twitter. He sees the service as an essential place for sharing viewpoints. Although Musk’s plans on Twitter are still unknown, Republicans have celebrated it while Democrats have raised alarm.
Musk Worked to Influence Politicians
Several Republicans have had a triumphant tone on Twitter, but they are not sure Elon Musk is on their side. Musk has usually declared himself a moderate and socially liberal and fiscally conservative. According to Open Secrets, Musk has given 1.2 million dollars to politicians and political committees since 2002. He has donated almost equally to both Republicans and Democrats in several elections. Although he has claimed to be out of politics, his actions have shown other things. He has worked to influence politicians via his companies Tesla and SpaceX. Both companies have spent millions of dollars on lobbying. Tesla has lobbied to give a discount to consumers buying electric vehicles. SpaceX has attempted to influence the government to support commercial launch provisions in the NASA program. The two companies have spent money to lobby the government, the House, and the Senate.
Musk Leans towards Far-Rights
Now, Elon Musk has made a deal to buy one of the most influential platforms in the world. He could have his influence on politics through the social service, as well. He has not supported any political parties, but his tweets are mostly welcomed by the Republicans these days. After he revealed the deal, he tweeted: “Take the red pill”. Ivanka Trump has retweeted him and wrote: “Taken!”. The concept of ‘taking the red pill’ is best known for its association with far-right Americans. January 6, 2021 rioters were far-right Americans who considered the election unfair and avoided accepting the Democrats’ victory. Donald Trump has repeated that Joe Biden, the Democrat candidate, has prevailed through fraud. Republicans want to steal the 2024 presidential election, and Twitter can assist them win the votes.
Musk May Bring Chaos on Social Media
Twitter is a digital town that can lead opinions through true or false data. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has done a study on Twitter. It shows that false stories on the platform are 70 percent more likely to be retweeted than the truth. Elon Musk is a user who has tweeted a lot, and sometimes he used awful bullying without a proper defense. He has promised free speech, but it is like a two-sided sword. Free speech can result in the spread of hate speech and lies. During the 2020 presidential election, Trump took to Twitter to say he was the winner. His posts threatened to sow online discord, and he sought to undermine confidence in Biden’s victory. Twitter under Elon Musk may lead to the circulation of false news and chaos.
Conclusion
Elon Musk, the South African-American multibillionaire, has announced a deal of buying the social media giant, Twitter. The world’s richest man has tweeted regularly, and sometimes he has sent provocative tweets. He owns two giant companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and is purchasing Twitter for 44 billion dollars. He must have long-term plans to invest hugely in Twitter. He has denied support for political parties, however, he has always donated to the politicians. Elon Musk has also attempted to influence the US decision-makers and spent huge money on lobbying. With owning one of the most influential social platforms, he can probably use Twitter to influence public opinion. The US Republicans have cheered the Twitter deal and Democrats have not approved it. Musk’s promises for free speech on Twitter can be in favor of the Republicans and empower them during the next US elections.