Several high-profile supporters of Donald Trump believe that Elon Musk may reinstate the former president on Twitter as a challenge to “woke” users.
Trump allies took to Twitter on Tuesday to voice their opinions about changes they want the social networking service to make now that Musk has a significant stake and a seat on the board. Some of the comments centered on the possibility that Musk may have power to reverse Twitter’s January 2021 decision to permanently suspend Trump from the messaging service after the former president made comments praising the rioters who stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6, which the company said had the potential to incite more violence.
When he announced Musk’s new role on Tuesday, Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal explained that the two executives have had several conversations in recent weeks that led Agrawal to conclude that Musk would bring “great value to our Board.” He added that Musk is both a “passionate believer” and “intense critic” of Twitter, which makes the Tesla founder “exactly what we need.”
Indeed, Musk, a prolific Twitter user, has been critical of the social media service in recent weeks. For instance, he asked his millions of Twitter followers if “a new platform is needed” to replace Twitter, given that he believes the service is “failing to adhere to free speech principles” and is in turn undermining democracy.
The notion of what constitutes free speech on social media has been a recurring issue for many conservatives who have claimed that social media platforms are silencing their voices while promoting the views of liberals. However, numerous studies have debunked those allegations, including a recent report by the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights published last year that referred to such claims as a “form of disinformation: a falsehood with no reliable evidence to support it.”
“No trustworthy large-scale studies have determined that conservative content is being removed for ideological reasons or that searches are being manipulated to favor liberal interests,” the NYU report said.
Lauren Boebert, a Republican U.S. representative for Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, said on Tuesday via Twitter that Musk “being named to Twitter’s Board of Directors is just the start.”
Boebert commented earlier regarding Musk taking a 9.2% stake in Twitter that “it’s time to lift the political censorship.”
“Oh…and BRING BACK TRUMP!” Boebert exclaimed.
Errol Webber, a Republican congressional candidate in California, said that Musk’s first action as Twitter board member should be to “bring back President Trump!”
“Step two—give everyone who has been banned a second chance,” Webber said. “Step three—end all forms of political and other censorship.”
Actor Randy Quaid, a longtime Trump supporter, said, “Not only do we need Trump back in the White House we need him back on Twitter giving us hourly updates!”
“Also good for Twitter stock price!” Quaid added. “And free speech!”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia’s 14th congressional district tweeted at Musk to remind him that “the freedom of speech restored will enable us all to defeat them.”
“Will the new majority shareholder return freedom of speech to Twitter?” Green said. “It will require courage bc the regime is heavily investing in a certain industry and threats will undoubtedly come.”
Meanwhile, columnist Matthew Lynn noted in a piece for the conservative publication The Spectator that it’s still unclear whether Musk will eventually embark on “a full-scale bid for the company.” If Musk does gain more power in directing Twitter’s business, Lynn believes that he may shift the platform to showcase more libertarian and conservative views.
“The important point however is surely this: If he takes control, Twitter may start to give libertarian, right of centre views as much space as it does the woke activists that all too often dominate it right now,” Lynn wrote.
A Twitter spokesperson told Fortune in an email that the company’s “Board plays an important advisory and feedback role across the entirety of our service,” but that “day to day operations and decisions are made by Twitter management and employees.”
“Twitter is committed to impartiality in the development and enforcement of its policies and rules,” the spokesperson said. “Our policy decisions are not determined by the Board or shareholders, and we have no plans to reverse any policy decisions.”
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