Many Democrats were left feeling worried after it was reported that Elon Musk’s offer to purchase Twitter had been accepted. What’s more, a recent move by Musk this week suggests that those worries were justified.
Musk: “Twitter [obviously] has a left-wing bias”
According to the Daily Caller, the billionaire recently admitted that Twitter has been ideologically biased in how it polices offensive speech.
That acknowledgment came early on Sunday during a Twitter exchange between Musk and conservative commentator Mike Cernovich.
Cernovich pointed out how following a report from Politico last week that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, verified Twitter users have been openly calling for violence against abortion opponents despite the company’s rules on harassment.
Here you go @elonmusk, when Twitter employees invariably lie to you about enforcement policy, maybe they can explain why a verified account is allowed to incite terrorism without any care in the world about being banned. pic.twitter.com/rCpuf5e1Ry
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 9, 2022
In response, Musk agreed that “Twitter [obviously] has a left-wing bias” in the way it responds to content rule violations.
He went on to say that the platform will be opened up so as to allow for those from all sides of the political debate to speak freely.
“Like I said, my preference is to hew close to the laws of countries in which Twitter operates,” Musk remarked. “If the citizens want something banned, then pass a law to do so, otherwise it should be allowed.”
Promise to make platform “broadly inclusive”
Musk’s statement echoes earlier comments that he made to the Associated Press while attending New York City’s Met Gala.
At the #MetGala, Elon Musk says he wants Twitter to be “broadly inclusive” after he completes his purchase of the platform: “Ideally, most of America is on it and talking.” pic.twitter.com/7rK39ohHSu
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 3, 2022
“Well, I mean, the goal that I have, should everything come to fruition with Twitter, is to have a service that is broadly — is as broadly inclusive as possible where ideally most of America is on it and talking!” Musk explained.
“I think just generally, the — I’m looking for something that’s like I said as broadly inclusive as possible, that’s as trusted as possible as a system, and I hope we are successful in that regard,” he added.