Elon Musk's effort to purchase Twitter for $44 million yielded fruit this week, and the Tesla head revealed plans to show the corporate right into a haven for "free speech." The acquisition from the richest man on the earth has been polarizing, with some high-profile figures weighing in.
Some stars vowed to go away the platform, believing Musk will reduce the present group tips, permitting hateful feedback on their feeds. Some folks, who've violated the group tips prior to now, hope for a brand new alternative on the app. However some are staying for a distinct motive.
Excessive-profile customers who're vowing to go away
Actress and activist Jameela Jamil, who has 1 million followers on Twitter, posted shortly after Musk's acquisition of the corporate this week, saying it will be her final tweet.
"Ah he obtained twitter [sic]. I would love this to be my what lies right here as my final tweet. Simply actually *any* excuse to point out pics of Barold," she wrote, sharing photographs of herself and her canine. "I worry this free speech bid goes to assist this hell platform attain its ultimate type of completely lawless hate, bigotry, and misogyny. Better of luck."
Activist Shaun King left Twitter when Musk purchase the corporate, however hours later got here again. His bio now reads: "I am nonetheless right here m*****f******." Since rejoining the platform, King has used it to marketing campaign in opposition to Musk, sharing previous experiences of racism and a poisonous work surroundings at Tesla, one in every of Musk's firms.
He additionally re-shared Musk's tweet, during which Musk explains what he means by his "free speech" plans for Twitter. "I merely imply that which matches the regulation. I'm in opposition to censorship that goes far past the regulation. If folks need much less free speech, they may ask authorities to move legal guidelines to that impact. Subsequently, going past the regulation is opposite to the desire of the folks," Musk wrote.
King replied: "That is EXACTLY what we anticipated. He intends to permit hate speech and white supremacy, that are authorized in the US, on the platform. He intends to permit misinformation and disinformation, that are authorized, on the platform."
Comedian ebook author Erik Larsen, who labored on The Superb Spider-Man collection within the Nineties, vowed early on in Musk's acquisition course of to delete his Twitter if the billionaire succeeded in shopping for the corporate. It seems Larsen has left the platform for the reason that purchase.
Wrestler Mick Foley has not left the platform but, however on Monday, mentioned he'd think about it. "I will be giving some severe thought to leaving @Twitter for good within the close to future," he wrote. "I shouldn't have a very good feeling about the place this platform is heading."
Activist and writer Amy Siskind had the same response to the acquisition. "I'm sitting with my ideas and watching, and have not determined if I'm staying right here. I've an enormous philosophical challenge understanding no matter content material I present right here goes immediately in direction of enriching one man, who I feel is completely terrible. Watching. His platform is hemorrhaging customers," she tweeted on Monday.
"I do not view him as a mentally secure individual," she wrote in a subsequent tweet.
Stars returning to or staying on Twitter
Rapper Azealia Banks, who had been banned from Twitter, took to her Instagram to announce she'd be returning. She shared a screenshot of her new Twitter profile. On her Instagram tales, she requested Musk to "please do not f*** this up."
She has been suspended from Twitter a number of instances, together with completely in 2020 for making transphobic feedback. "Have you learnt how a lot cash I am not making due to that years-long Twitter ban?" she mentioned, blaming Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey for making her lose out on cash as a result of she could not get to her fan base.
Banks, who has talked a couple of feud with Musk prior to now, additionally mentioned she has to thank him for getting Twitter. "I really obtained again on," she mentioned.
Ice Dice, who claimed he obtained "shadow banned," a partial suspension throughout which an account exists however isn't seen in search or feeds, rejoiced on the information. "Free eventually! @elonmusk take off my shadow ban homie..." he tweeted.
Comic Jessica Kirson joked concerning the information. "I am staying on @Twitter and antidepressants," she wrote in a single tweet.
"I am shifting to @Twitter if @elonmusk buys Mars!!!" she wrote in one other.
Star Trek star George Takei tweeted he was staying placed on the positioning.
"I am not going wherever. Ought to this place turn out to be extra poisonous, I pledge to attempt even tougher to carry up motive, science, compassion and the rule of regulation. The wrestle in opposition to fascism, misinformation, and hate requires powerful fighters. I hope you keep within the struggle, proper beside me," he mentioned.
Fox New host Tucker Carlson was not too long ago suspended for violating Twitter's group tips. He rejoined the social media platform on Monday, writing, "We're again."
U.S. Military veteran David Weissman, who has practically 340,000 followers, wrote a number of tweets criticizing Musk and his acquisition. "I nonetheless suppose Elon Musk proudly owning Twitter is a nasty concept. He'll amplify racists, bigots, and misinformation. He's a bad-faith actor along with his distorted views of free speech and censorship," he mentioned.
Nonetheless, Weissman, a author for Occupy Democrats, grassroots political group and information web site supporting progressive Democrats, isn't leaving Twitter. "I am not leaving Twitter if Elon Musk buys Twitter. Who's with me?" he tweeted.
"If @elonmusk ultimately buys Twitter, one of the simplest ways to say fuck you to his propaganda is to remain on and [disprove] misinformation and name out the bullying, hatred, racism, and bigotry. We keep on and struggle again," he wrote on Monday.