EMERGENCY POLL: Elon Musk Considers Stepping Down as Head of Twitter – Here’s How You Can Save Freedom of Speech
December 18, 2022, 7:00pmby JIM HOFTThis tweet deleted by twitter on Jan 6th
truthsocial.com
Truth Social
Truth Social is America's "Big Tent" social media platform that encourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating on the basis of political ideology.
truthsocial.com
Elon Musk Stepping Down After Bombshell Poll
by Liza CarlisleOPINION: This article contains commentary which may reflect the author’s opinion
Musk has gained applause for some initiatives, and criticism for others. During a recent appearance with Dave Chappell, he received both cheers and boos from the audience.
Musk has caught flack in recent days and weeks over his handling of the app, including his recent suspension of journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Buzzfeed last week. He banned a total of nine journalists on Thursday after they reported on his decision to block an account charting his private jet use, accusing them of ‘doxxing’ him and revealing his address as well as the exact location of his plane, including Musk and family.
On Thursday evening, BuzzFeed News tech reporter Katie Notopoulos hosted a Twitter Spaces discussion, which Musk joined. “Everyone’s going to be treated the same,” said Musk, defending his decision to suspend the reporters’ accounts. “They’re not special just because you’re a journalist.”
Shortly before the discussion, he tweeted: “They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service.”
Musk restored the nine accounts Friday evening.
On Saturday evening, he kicked Washington Post writer Taylor Lorenz off the app after she was accused of revealing the exact address of TikTok talent scout Ariadna Jacob in a 2020 article. Lorenz confirmed she was booted from the platform on Saturday night in a TikTok video but Musk said less than 12 hours later he would be lifting her ban. “Temp suspension due to prior doxxing action by this account,” Musk wrote in response to a Tweet about Lorenz’s ban. “Will be lifted shortly.”
In recent weeks Musk has also been releasing the so-called “Twitter files”, revealing how the site interacted with the US Government before he took over. The first batch of files related to the Hunter Biden saga and efforts to get pictures of him removed from the website. In the second release last night, again posted by journalist Matt Taibi, it was found the FBI demanded execs for the social media giant to give them information about how they were enforcing safety online.
Musk posted on Sunday new Twitter rules regarding posts promoting alternative social media platforms, either through tweets or in profile bios, suspended or potentially removed. Immediately there was an outcry protesting the rules. The decision to reverse the harsh policy came after Musk was challenged by the likes of Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s founder, and whistleblower Edward Snowden. Just a few hours later, the tweets and web page outlining them were taken down.
The Chief Twit then put out a tweet from his own account saying the rules would be changed, suggesting: “Policy will be adjusted to suspending accounts only when that account’s *primary* purpose is promotion of competitors, which essentially falls under the no spam rule.” Sites on the list of ‘prohibited social media platforms’ included: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Post and Nostr.
Now after running against the wind for weeks, Musk put a review of his performance to the people. “Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of this poll,” the Chief Twit posted just before 6.30 pm on Sunday evening. After setting the poll live Musk warned: “As the saying goes, be careful what you wish, as you might get it.” Before it closed he added: “Those who want power are the ones who least deserve it.”
When it closed 12 hours later at 6.20am EST (3.20am PST) the result was 57.5 per cent of users said they wanted him out, equating to over 10 million users. By comparison, 42.5 per cent voted in favour of keeping him on as head of the website, the equivalent of nearly 7.5million users, Daily Mail reports.
The interesting move by Musk split users on the website, with some gloating over his imminent removal before the vote had even finished.
But supporters of the CEO said saying if he stepped down his critics might regret it.
Colin Rugg wrote: ‘I have a feeling Elon Musk already has a Twitter CEO picked out and this person will piss the left off even more.’
Luke Rudkowski added: ‘Two hours before the poll closes he will announce a successor that will freak everyone out’
Rapper Snoop Dogg jokingly ran a poll of his own, asking his followers if he should replace Musk by posing the question: ‘Should I run Twitter?
It is interesting to note that the exceptionally canny Musk just might have a reason for the poll and a plan as to his appointing an upcoming CEO, as he has other companies to run.
