Just one day after we asked the question “Is Elon Musk getting ready to take over Twitter?“, he was officially appointed to their board by Twitter CEO Arag Agrawal.
After purchasing a 9.2% stake in Twitter, Musk became the largest outside shareholder in the social media platform. This major purchase came after he posted a poll on Twitter, asking his followers if they believed Twitter adhered to free speech.
70.4% of respondents said “no”, and many left comments on the post urging Musk to ‘buy’ the social media platform.
Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy.
Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
Today, Agrawal posted a Tweet welcoming Musk to the board.
“I’m excited to share that we’re appointing @elonmusk to our board! Through conversations with Elon in recent weeks, it became clear to us that he would bring great value to our Board.”
“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’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
Elon replied to Agrawal’s tweet, saying that he is “looking forward to working with Parag & Twitter board to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!”
Looking forward to working with Parag & Twitter board to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2022
Now, Rep Lauren Boebert is leading the call for Musk – a staunch free speech advocate – to allow Donald Trump to return to Twitter, something that many GOP leaders and Trump supporters are starting to push for.
“Now that @elonmusk is Twitter’s largest shareholder, it’s time to lift the political censorship. Oh… and BRING BACK TRUMP!”
Now that @ElonMusk is Twitter’s largest shareholder, it’s time to lift the political censorship.
Oh… and BRING BACK TRUMP!
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) April 4, 2022
After his permanent suspension following the Jan 6 Capitol protests, conservatives have been waiting for the former President’s return to the social media platform. Now they are begging Musk to make this a reality.
Errol Webber, a Republican House candidate from California, shares these hopes for Twitter’s future. He tweeted,
“@elonmusk is now the largest shareholder of Twitter. Time to get this platform back to its former glory.
Step one – bring back President Trump!
Step two – give everyone who has been banned a second chance.
Step three – end all forms of political and other censorship.”
.@ElonMusk is now the largest shareholder of Twitter.
Time to get this platform back to its former glory.
Step one – bring back President Trump!
Step two – give everyone who has been banned a second chance.
Step three – end all forms of political and other censorship.
— Errol Webber (@ErrolWebber) April 4, 2022