Elon Musk announced last Thursday (14) its intention to buy 100% of twitter shares and make it a private company. The millionaire is one of the most controversial users of the platform and his tweets have led him to situations involving everything from his companies, such as causing stock drops and losing the position of director, to defamation trials.
Its history with the platform is long and has many criticisms about how Twitter deals with “freedom of expression”, despite the fact that it has had contradictory behaviors – blocking users who criticize it, for example.
Naturally, Twitter users are always the first to leave their opinions and this time is no different. The platform has spent the last few days filled with reactions about the possible acquisition of the millionaire. Check out some of the comments below:
1. “Next time you think you’re overreacting, remember that Elon Musk is actually willing to pay $43 billion just to keep people from laughing at him on Twitter.”
The next time you think youre overreacting, remember that Elon Musk is really willing to pay $43 billion just to prevent people from laughing at him on Twitter
– Shiv Ramdas Traing To Rite Buk (shinameshiv) April 14, 2022
2. “Maybe if we tell Elon Musk that buying Twitter will end homelessness, he won’t.”
Maybe if we tell Elon Musk that buying Twitter will end homelessness he won’t do it.
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) April 14, 2022
3. “When I criticized Musk for labor violations at Tesla, he blocked me. When a college student opened a Twitter account to track Musk’s private plane, Musk tried to buy it, before blocking it. Does that sound like a ‘free speech absolutist’ to you?”
When I criticized Musk for worker violations at Tesla, he blocked me.
When a college student started a Twitter account to track Musk’s private plane, Musk tried to buy him off, before blocking him.
Does that sound like a “free speech absolutist” to you? https://t.co/5BU3sGv7oq
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) April 12, 2022
4. “This game that Elon Musk is playing with Twitter is dangerous. Twitter is not just another social media platform, and Elon clearly recognizes that.”
This game Elon Musk is playing with Twitter is dangerous. Twitter isn’t just another social media platform, and Elon clearly recognizes that.
— Christopher Bouzy (@cbouzy) April 14, 2022
5. “Twitter is too important to be owned and controlled by one person. The opposite should be happening. Twitter should be decentralized as a protocol that feeds an ecosystem of communication products and services.”
Twitter is too important to be owned and controlled by a single person. The opposite should be happening. Twitter should be decentralized as a protocol that powers an ecosystem of communication products and services.
— Fred Wilson (@fredwilson) April 14, 2022
6. “Elon Musk forcing people to admit that Twitter isn’t as bad as it could be. ??”
Elon Musk forcing people to admit Twitter isn’t nearly as bad as it could be. ??
– Rod (@rodimusprime) April 14, 2022
7. “Elon Musk making a move to Twitter from his small cash drawer is yet another example of why the bundling of so much wealth in the hands of the few is a social disease.”
Elon Musk making a play for Twitter out of his petty cash drawer is one more example of why the pooling of so much wealth in the hands of a few is a societal disease.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 14, 2022
8. “When Elon Musk buys Twitter, this image will be banned”
When Elon Musk buys Twitter, this image will be banned pic.twitter.com/TvuCjA7WFp
– Polyamorous only Hidalgo (@CamaradaHidalgo) April 14, 2022
Twitter response on the proposal
On Friday (15), Twitter announced that it will unanimously take a stance on a “poison pill”, where current shareholders will be able to buy additional shares to avoid a forced takeover. This movement decreases the millionaire’s participation in the company, making it difficult for him to obtain the majority of votes in relation to the acquisition of the company.