The world’s wealthiest human now officially owns Twitter, and the platform’s most prolific users either rejoiced, or rejected the Tesla CEO’s takeover.
Elon Musk purchased the social media platform for $44 billion, after a six-month long deal fraught with legal battles, bot whistleblowers, and a judge’s order to close by Oct. 28, or go to trial.
Musk made waves on Wednesday when he changed his Twitter bio to “Chief Twit” and carried a sink into Twitter headquarters. Though he reportedly assuaged revolting employees that he wouldn’t not cut the staff by 75%, as was rumored.
While the Twitter masses might be safe, top executives were given the axe on Thursday, including CEO Parag Agrawal, CFO Ned Segal, and general counsel Sean Edgett. Musk also dismissed Vijaya Gadde, the policy maker who permanently banned former President Donald Trump.
In an open letter posted to his account, Musk explained that he acquired Twitter because it was “important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square,” that allows for varying beliefs to be debated without violence.
“There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into the far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society,” he wrote.
He accused the media of fueling and catering to the “polarized extremes,” and losing the chance for dialogue “in the relentless pursuit of clicks.”
Musk said he purchased the platform to “help humanity,” rather than to accumulate more money, but cautioned that under his watch, Twitter will not become a “free-for-all hellscape” where anything can be said without consequence.
Liberal celebrities and commentators were quick to meltdown over the SpaceX CEO’s latest purchase.
“Letting a reckless ideologue take full control of what is essentially a public utility – less than two weeks before election day – is insane,” wrote actor Billy Baldwin. “Elon Musk says he wants speech on Twitter to be “free”. Now that he’s in charge, let’s test that.”
“Nobody asked but I’m staying on Twitter at least until after the election,” actor Jon Cryer added. “Then I’ll reassess.”
“With this Twitter thing maybe changing considerably,” complained journalist Dan Rather. “A question I am asking: Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go?”
While “Stand By Me” director Rob Reiner is only concerned about the potential return of the former president.
“Rumor has it that one Sociopathic Pathologically Lying Criminal Racist Misogynistic Fascist is returning to this platform,” he posted. “Let’s celebrate by drowning him in a Blue Wave.”
“Grace & Frankie” star Ethan Embry said that hates that “a crowd of Proud Boys have the same rights to assemble as those working toward voting rights,” but if everyone’s free speech isn’t protected, the groups that are seen as threats could change with whichever party is in power.
“So the protection must be shared across board,” he added.
The conservative sphere of Twitter was thrilled about the company’s new management. “Christmas came early this year!” Tweeted comedian Rob Schneider.
“Free Speech is ALL speech! It is NOT just the speech you LIKE, but also for the speech you LOATHE! You are either for ALL of it or NONE of it!” The “Hot Chick” star said in a follow-up post, which he hashtagged #TheBirdIsFree.
“[Elon Musk] has set fire to the barn and the rats are all running for the hills,” country legend John Rich wrote.