As X’s owner and most followed user, has increasingly used the social media platform as a microphone to amplify his political views and, lately, those of right-wing figures he’s aligned with. There are few modern parallels to his antics, but then again there are few modern parallels to Elon Musk himself. Of course, none of this should come as a surprise.
Back in 2022 when he was trying to buy Twitter, said he was doing so because it wasn’t living up to its potential as a “platform for free speech.” Protecting free speech - not money - was his motivation because, as he put it, “having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization.” often ruminates on the future of civilization.
For one, he appears fixated on a coming “ population collapse,” threatening to wipe out humanity. And he joined prominent scientists and tech leaders last year in warning the world about artificial intelligence doing the same. Musk has framed threats to free speech as yet another existential crisis looming over the world.
And he is going to try his best to save it. “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” said in an April 2022 post, adding hearts, stars and rocket emojis to highlight the statement. Two years on, the platform - now called X - has indeed become a haven for the type of free speech has.