Twitter has always been a hub for sharing views and current events since it was first introduced in 2006, so it should have come as no surprise that the social media platform itself was a major talking point on Friday.
Elon Musk is getting closer to completing his firm acquisition for $44 billion. On Thursday, followed by changes in leadership and a lot of unanswered concerns about how the website would be different.
In April, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX bid to acquire Twitter, stating that he wants to support free expression and end Twitter’s permanent ban on specific users. One of these people may be the former president of the United States, Donald Trump.
On Friday, Musk published a series of postings in which he discussed the events that will take place during the changeover.
According to what he had written, “Twitter will be forming a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints,” “No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before that council convenes,” he said, adding that no such adjustments have been made as of yet.
To be super clear, we have not yet made any changes to Twitter’s content moderation policies https://t.co/k4guTsXOIu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 29, 2022
Musk subsequently said that the account of the rapper Ye had been “restored by Twitter before the acquisition“ despite the fact that he was unaware of this information.
Ye’s account was restored by Twitter before the acquisition. They did not consult with or inform me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2022
According to reports, Ye was prevented from accessing his Twitter account earlier this month as a result of antisemitic remarks he had posted on the social platform, which the website had deleted after the comments had been seen.
Despite this, his account was never officially closed, nor was he prohibited from using it. According to The New York Times, instead of being allowed to publish, he was restricted from doing so, and Twitter deleted the offending remarks only.
Following the ye’ antisemitic remarks, the giant of online streaming, Netflix, has decided that the documentary series “Jeen-Yuhs,” comprising three parts, will continue to be accessible to viewers. Furthermore, Netflix asserts that the movie did not include any anti-Semitic undertones or themes.
Now that Elon Musk has taken over the famous social media network, celebrities are starting to leave Twitter, or at least claiming that they are leaving the platform utterly.
Ken Olin, the executive producer of This Is Us, said on Friday to his 300,000 followers,
“I’m out of here.” This came after Olin had earlier pledged, “The day @elonmusk takes ownership of Twitter, I’m out.” “No judgement. Let’s keep the faith. Let’s protect our democracy. Let’s try to be kinder. Let’s try to save the planet. Let’s try to be more generous. Let’s look to find peace in the world.”
Let’s do all we can to make the world a more peaceful place. He said that he was planning to participate in the Tribel social instead.
Hey all –
I’m out of here. No judgement.
Let’s keep the faith.
Let’s protect our democracy.
Let’s try to be kinder.
Let’s try to save the planet.
Let’s try to be more generous.
Let’s look to find peace in the world.
💙— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) October 28, 2022
In a similar fashion, the showrunner for Billions, Brian Koppelman, tweeted, “Y’all’s, for real, come find me over on instagram and the tok. Gonna really try to take a breather from here for a minute or a month come deal close time.” An earlier tweet from the Rounders author said, “I can see the logic in taking a long twitter hiatus when EM takes it over.”
Bill & Ted star Alex Winter has reportedly left Twitter as well. He deleted his previous tweets, provided a Linktree URL, and published a joke mocking Twitter’s new CEO, Elon Musk, which depicted Musk, former President Donald Trump, and Kanye West as the Three Musketeers.
Others on the Left, however, are pushing users to remain on the site to continue expressing their opinions — at least up to the next midterm elections.
Similarly, Rob Reiner, a director and activist, has voiced alarm in the past about the possibility of Elon Musk assuming control of the platform.
“For those who are fighting to preserve our Constitutional Democracy, now is not the time to leave Twitter. Now is the time to VOTE BLUE!”
For those who are fighting to preserve our Constitutional Democracy, now is not the time to leave Twitter. Now is the time to VOTE BLUE!
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) October 28, 2022
Gad indicated that he was uncertain as to whether or not he would remain.
“Leaning towards staying,” he posted, “but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is. Freedom of speech is great. Hate speech intended to cite harm, (with no consequences) ain’t what I signed up for.”
Large exodus happening on this platform. Not sure if I stay or not. Leaning toward staying, but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is. Freedom of speech is great. Hate speech intended to incite harm, (with no consequences) ain’t what I signed up for.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 29, 2022
Likewise, actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner’s tweets came at the same moment calling his followers to continue using Twitter and to vote for Democrats in the forthcoming election.
Other leftists on the site give the impression that they are going to remain for the time being, but they will undoubtedly leave the minute that Trump’s Twitter account is reinstated, which is something that Musk has hinted he’ll certainly do.
If any celebrities do decide to leave Twitter, it will be part of a bigger trend that began before Musk’s acquisition of the company.
A recent study said that the social media network had been gradually losing some of its most active users, namely the 10% of heavy tweeting customers who are responsible for 90% of all tweets.
What do you think about Elon Musk taking over Twitter, quitting celebrities, and opening it up to comedic content? Let us know your valuabe thought in the comment section.
Jane Davies
