On Monday (April 25) it became public that Elon Musk was buying up the short message service Twitter for around 44 billion US dollars. Last week, the Internet company’s board of directors tried to prevent a takeover by the tech billionaire. Now the social media platform has resigned itself to its fate.
Twitter convinced at once
In a statement released, Twitter confirmed the news: “The Twitter Board of Directors has reviewed Elon Musk’s offer through a thoughtful and comprehensive process, with a deliberate focus on value, security and funding,” said CEO Bret Taylor. He continued, “The proposed transaction will generate a significant cash reward and we believe this is the best path forward for Twitter shareholders,” said Twitter’s independent chief executive officer.
“I hope even my worst critics stay on Twitter”
Musk justifies his interest in Twitter with alleged restrictions on freedom of speech on the short message service, which he wants to turn off. After his takeover, he hopes that even his “worst critics” will stay on Twitter – because that is the essence of free speech. Incidentally, the richest person on the planet had to resort to horrendous loans of around 25.5 billion dollars for the purchase; After all, his fortune consists almost exclusively of shares in Tesla and his space company SpaceX.
I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022
According to reports, the takeover will delist the company and put it into the private sector. Shareholders will receive approximately $54.20 in cash for every Twitter share they own — a 38 percent premium to the share price the day before Musk announced his stake in the company.
Mixed reactions
The rumors that Musk could buy the social media platform have already triggered violent reactions in the past few days. Numerous musicians have also now expressed their views. Bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, for example, is obviously not a fan of the company. He tweeted, “I hope Tesla Man hits delete tomorrow.”
I hope Tesla Man hits delete tomorrow.
— Wolf Van Halen ? ? ? (@WolfVanHalen) April 25, 2022
Others don’t seem to care about the takeover – US guitarist Mark Morton smugly posted, “OMG….we’re doomed….what if Oprah Winfrey buys Pinterest?!? WHO GIVES A SHIT”.
OMG….we’re doomed….What if Oprah Winfrey buys Pinterest?!?
WHO GIVES A SHIT
— Mark Morton ?? (@MarkDuaneMorton) April 25, 2022
Guitarist Doc Coyle wrote: “This is already an all-time high for reactionary, emotional, hyperbolic missteps on Twitter. You didn’t move to Canada when Trump won, you won’t leave Twitter.”
This is already an all-timer for reactionary, emotional, hyperbolic bad take days on Twitter.
You didn’t move to Canada when Trump won, you ain’t leaving Twitter.
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) April 25, 2022
But, the Elon simps have to be one of the most pitiful sects of humans. Carrying water for the richest dude on earth because he annoys the group of people you hate is just so damn corny.
“We hate the same people” as a unifying force is shitty thing amplified by social media.
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) April 25, 2022
The news doesn’t leave the rapper Ice-T cold either.
Oh shit… I called it this morning… ‘The Tension Mounts!’ Elon Musk acquires Twitter for roughly $44 billion – The Washington Post https://t.co/IumDYVa1cw
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) April 25, 2022
Former Mötley Crüe songwriter and Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba was one of the few musicians to present Musk with digital flowers.
The German Twitter satirist El Hotzo, on the other hand, takes a critical view of the ownership structure of large Internet companies:
after Elon Musk took over Twitter, here is a small overview of notable social networks that are not under the control of a megalomaniac billionaire:
–
— ELHOTZO (@elhotzo) April 25, 2022