Disclaimer: This article may contain the viewpoint and opinion of the author.
Twitter is a free social networking platform where users can post things called tweets. The posts can contain text, videos, and photos. These are real-time posts but shorter than posts on Facebook.
During the Presidential election of 2022, social networking platforms played a pivotal role in getting Joe Biden elected President. It was clear they censored conservative viewpoints and promoted liberal, progressive opinions.
Twitter even banned President Trump from posting his opinions. Trump was famous for posting controversial late-night statements angering many with liberal views. The fact checkers for Twitter flagged Trump’s posts. Eventually, they just banned him.
Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, and one who usually aligns with liberals was not happy with the censorship by social media. He began investing in Twitter. By March, Musk became the largest shareholder in Twitter with 9.2% ownership.
Musk, who is very outspoken on social media, made it no secret he was looking at buying the company. Twitter, seeing Musk’s plan to ultimately take over the company, offered him a seat on the board. The world watched eagerly to see where what was going to happen.
“He’s both a passionate believer and intense critic of the service which is exactly what we need on @Twitter, and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term,” Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said on the platform. “Welcome Elon!”
Twitter’s stock had risen since Musk had begun investing in it. He is the wealthiest man in the world. When he purchased more shares than anyone else, it was clear a hostile takeover attempt was coming.
A hostile takeover occurs when the purchasing company owns enough stock in the target acquisition company and then offers more than the stock value to buy it. Shareholders do not turn it down since it is more than market value.
“I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy. “Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company,” Musk said.
There was some more back and forth but in the end, Musk agreed to buy Twitter for 44 billion dollars. The deal is contingent on Twitter proving that less than five percent of its accounts are BOTS which are fake accounts.
Musk says Twitter is not providing the evidence to show less than five percent are BOTS. Twitter is claiming they have provided proof. Because the Telsa CEO believes they have not, he wants to terminate the deal. Of course, Twitter is now suing him over the termination.
Musk is now challenging Twitter CEO Agrawal to a public debate on the issue. “If Twitter merely supplies their technique of sampling 100 accounts and the way they’re confirmed to be actual, the deal ought to proceed on authentic phrases,” wrote Musk.
Agrawal has yet to reply to Musk on the debate challenge but in a way, Musk has cornered the tech CEO. He made the challenge by Tweeting it out. He used his platform against him to make the challenge. Agrawal can certainly decline the invitation but why would he?
All the Twitter CEO has to do is provide information on the fake accounts and he wins. It will be interesting to see where this challenge goes. Musk has become like a 1920’s showman. You never know what you’re going to get from him but at least, it’s fun.
