Twitter under Elon Musk - Social network+
.webp)
has been taken over by one of its most controversial users
By DANIEL LIBERTO Updated February 28, 2023
Reviewed by GORDON SCOTT
Fact checked by AMANDA JACKSON
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has been an active presence on the social networking website for many years now. The billionaire entrepreneur regularly uses his account to discuss whatever is on his mind—whether that be someone he has a problem with, politics, investment markets, business ventures, or just some really random thought—and has a tendency to invite controversy.
1
A few of his posts are correlated with various asset prices rapidly rising or falling. Others seem to trigger lawsuits and regulatory investigations. But his posts have earned him a pretty big fan club along the way. As of September 2023, Musk is the most followed user on the platform, ahead of Barack Obama and Justin Beiber.
Making Fun of People
Musk is known for lashing out at people on social media, particularly those who cross him. A few days before striking a deal to buy X, Musk mocked Bill Gates by posting a photo of him alongside an emoji depicting a pregnant man. The joke, intended to make fun of Gates' weight, was made off the back of speculation that Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder shorted Tesla (TSLA) stock.
isn't just high-profile figures that Musk taunts. On one occasion, the man behind Tesla and SpaceX was sued for defamation for calling a diver working to rescue boys trapped in a cave in Thailand a 'pedo.'
5
Musk made the controversial comment after the diver mocked Musk's proposal to use a mini-submarine crafted out of a SpaceX rocket part to assist in the rescue mission.
6
Creating Controversy
Musk craves attention and isn't afraid to offend or get in trouble for expressing his opinions. Classic examples include criticizing Democrat proposals to launch a billionaire tax and downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic.
7
8
Musk spoke out against lockdowns and compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Hitler because of his vaccine mandates.
9
10
Musk has also come out with some random stuff, presumably with the aim of getting people's attention. In the past, he talked about a desire to nuke Mars and buy Coca-Cola (KO) so that he can "put the cocaine back in."
2