OPINION:
It did not take long for Elon Musk to realize just how expensive free speech can be. Less than two months after acquiring Twitter for $44 billion, the self-described free speech absolutist is searching for new investors and, even more notably, possibly looking to exit “stage left.” It remains unclear why Mr. Musk wanted to take Twitter in the first place. Did anyone expect the radical left to stand idly by while someone took away one of their favorite utopias?
As Mr. Musk took control of Twitter, the platform was little more than an echo chamber for leftist political elites. After banning former President Donald Trump and other conservative voices, the once robust marketplace of ideas devolved. It became predictable and boring and so obviously biased. The online playground for liberals may have been fun for a while, but most conservatives (myself included) after realizing fighting for a voice on Twitter was futile, simply gave up and left the platform for alternatives that embrace free speech.
Even before Mr. Musk’s purchase, many Twitter advertisers were reallocating resources and spending less. Confusion over how much engagement was real and how much came from “bots” may never be fully known. With advertising revenue declining, making Twitter profitable will be incredibly challenging. Unlike Mr. Musk, most want to know what they are paying for, and want to see real value for their investments.
Further, with cancel culture working overtime against Mr. Musk and Twitter alike, it remains safer for many risk-averse brands to sit on the sidelines until a clear path to reengage on social media emerges.
Why take the heat?
Turning Twitter around is proving to be a formidable task, even for someone who, at least for a time, was the wealthiest person on the planet. Cutting costs, firing staff and auctioning off cafeteria supplies will do little to help the bottom line. The question of why someone would take on this challenge and risk (or waste) so much remains unanswered.
Is Mr. Musk a legitimate free speech hero, or just someone who made a poor business decision? Either way, the road ahead will be tough for Mr. Musk or anyone who helps him run Twitter. The woke mob refuses to give up until its opponents are canceled.
Less than two months in, the stress is already taking its toll on Mr. Musk. His involvement with Twitter seems to be destroying his other endeavors. The Tesla share price is plummeting as calls for his resignation from the automaker abound. NASA officials are questioning SpaceX about the possible distractions that may exist. He is also being called out as a hypocrite as he bans or suspends users who supposedly jeopardize the safety of others.
Censorship on Twitter was rampant long before Mr. Musk took over. Any statement or opinion that countered the international left’s narrative was met with a disclaimer, fact check, suspension or ban. The “Twitter Files” continue to prove the criticism and accusations were more than complaints by frustrated conservatives — suspicions that were indeed legitimate. Democratic political campaigns and government agencies were actively engaged in covering up information and misleading users. It was shameful, but the left doesn’t care — even when faced with the receipts.
Exposing the suppression of information and decision-making by previous Twitter leaders is likely nothing more than a fiduciary duty exercise. By releasing the information, Mr. Musk could be protecting himself from future criticism, regulatory investigations, even legal action. Let’s face it: He bought a lemon, and he can’t seem to undo the deal. Showing how his predecessors worked to destroy Twitter will at least help save his reputation, as he continues to hemorrhage money in his attempts to turn Twitter around.
While Mr. Musk may have hoped to bring fairness, sincere engagement and free speech back to Twitter, he seems to have bitten off more than he could chew. The ridiculous Twitter poll he conducted about resigning recently shows that the pressure is already getting to him — and most are expecting him to give up. Political power can outlast money — and the fight for free speech takes courage and persistence.
There is no doubt that Mr. Musk comes in with the best of intentions to turn things around, but the liberal elites make you pay dearly for free speech — and even the world’s wealthiest simply can’t afford it.
Whatever Mr. Musk decides to do with Twitter, his pursuit to defend free speech is admirable. It is worth fighting for because the alternative weakens our society. Social media should be wide open for all voices — including real people (not algorithms) who lose $44 billion to make that valuable point.
• Shaun McCutcheon is a free speech advocate, an Alabama-based electrical engineer, the founder of Multipolar, and the successful plaintiff in the 2014 Supreme Court case McCutcheon v. FEC.
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