Billionaire Elon Musk became the most talked about topic on Twitter this Monday (25) after he closed a deal to buy the platform for $ 44 billion. Users of the social network echoed the news with concern, celebrations and memes about the billionaire’s intentions with the acquisition.
Freedom of expression is Elon Musk’s main banner when he acquired the platform and the subject of greater repercussion, especially due to doubts about how the network will deal with the restriction of accounts and tweets that propagate hate speech.
Tesla’s chief executive is a vocal critic of the platform’s content moderations and cited “ensuring the free flow of ideas” as a justification for taking the company private.
After the acquisition, the billionaire posted on his profile on the platform an excerpt from a statement in which he states that “freedom of expression is the basis of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital city square where vital issues are debated for the future of humanity”.
This raises expectations about how Elon Musk will deal with the banned account of former US President Donald Trump, who was kicked out of the platform last year after “inciting violence among his supporters”.
Trump, however, said on Monday that he will not return to Twitter even if his profile is unblocked, indicating that he must remain on his own social network, Truth Social.
“I’m not going to Twitter, I’m going to be on Truth,” Trump told Fox News. “I hope Elon buys Twitter because he’s going to make improvements and he’s a good man, but I’m staying with Truth,” Trump said.
The White House declined to comment on the transaction, but said on Monday that President Joe Biden has long been concerned about the power of social media platforms.
“Our concerns are not new,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki. “The president has long been vocal about his concerns about the power of social media platforms, including Twitter and others, to spread disinformation.”
President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) also commented on the purchase of the network. The Brazilian retweeted a post from Musk, in which the billionaire says he hopes even his worst critics will stay on the net after the deal “because that’s what free speech means”.
Afterwards, Bolsonaro praised a report on how to deactivate the account as a “good story”, for those who wish to leave after the announcement of the sale of the network to Musk.
Other profiles on the right of the political spectrum also reacted with optimism to the deal. Congressman Carlos Jordy (PL), for example, celebrated the acquisition and called for Trump to return to the network.
Santa Catarina businessman Luciano Hang, owner of the Havan chain of stores, also spoke out, praising Elon Musk’s stance. In addition, users celebrated a possible relaxation of the network’s moderation rules.
Earlier, the tag “RIP Twitter” (rest in peace, Twitter) also made it to the most talked about topics. Despite the pessimistic tone, several posts with the expression are from people who consider the acquisition of the billionaire a victory.
Despite reactions of euphoria, users of the platform also criticized and reacted with amazement to Musk’s decision. Rio de Janeiro councilor Mônica Benício (PSOL) questioned the billionaire’s freedom of expression speech, while researcher David Nemer expressed concern about the reactions of Bolsonaristas to the news.
Others, of course, reacted with memes to the end of the soap opera between Musk and Twitter. In English, one user commented: “Elon Musk spending $43 billion to stop being bullied on Twitter when he could be just being less annoying and insane.”
(With Reuters)
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