Elon Musk Buying Twitter for $44 Billion: See Reaction Tweets From Users
Twitter is on track to become a privately owned company after the social media platform agreed to a $44 billion buyout offer from Elon Musk.
The company confirmed the news in a statement released Monday (April 25).
“The Twitter Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon’s proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty and financing,” Bret Taylor, Twitter’s independent board chair, said. “The proposed transaction will deliver a substantial cash premium, and we believe it is the best path forward for Twitter’s stockholders.”
Shareholders are set to be paid out to the tune of $54.20 per share. The statement made it clear that this was an offer well above what shares were going for at the start of the month.
Musk commented on the buyout and emphasized his commitment to free speech on the platform. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO also shared some potential plans for the app’s future. Those include doing away with bots; working to authenticate and verify who is behind every account; and improving the way that the algorithm works.
Of course, he also commented on the momentous news on on the platform he will soon own.
“I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” he tweeted.
Check out his tweet below:
I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022
The news comes after Musk revealed himself to be the primary shareholder of Twitter earlier this month. According to The New York Times, the billionaire owned more than 9 percent of the company at the time.
Musk was not alone in taking to Twitter to respond to the news.
The social media platform has been flooded with reactions from other Twitter users all day. The response runs the gamut from good to bad with some even proclaiming that they are indifferent to Musk’s purchase.
“Y’all know this doesn’t end well, right,” one user tweeted.
“So everyone will be verified once elon musk successfully gets twitter,” another wrote. “Can’t wait for this moment.”
Other people joked about Musk’s decision to purchase the app.
“Elon musk spending $43 billion to stop getting bullied on twitter when he could’ve simply been less annoying is insane,” someone joked.
Some LGBTQ+ Twitter users seemed more nervous about the news. One user posited that there would be an influx of hateful “grooming”-related comments from other users in the aftermath.
Another user questioned how Musk could possibly protect free speech: “I just don’t see how putting Twitter in the hands of one billionaire will enhance anyone’s speech rights. Rights are not a gift that a billionaire distributes to the masses.”
Some pointed out that Twitter being owned by Musk wouldn’t be all that different, as many other media companies are owned by wealthy capitalists.
“In other words,” someone wrote, “Twitter will continue to be bad for society.”
Check these out plus more reaction tweets to the latest news about Twitter, below:
Y’all know this doesn’t end well, right? https://t.co/kEOlvSVitP
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) April 25, 2022
So everyone will be verified once elon musk successfully gets twitter, can’t wait for this moment
— Ife (@_Silvasznn) April 25, 2022
stan twitter hiding after twitter got sold to elon musk: pic.twitter.com/3iJeJRQjLn
— maddy (@lastingriot) April 25, 2022
Hey guys, Twitter is ours!
— Ítalo Marsinho (@italomarsinho) April 25, 2022
It is done. Elon Musk buys twitter for $44 Billion.
I know that LGBTQ+ people and trans people specifically fear this particular change. We're going to see increases in an already volatile situation with "groomer" rhetoric turned up to 11.
It's a sad day for our community. https://t.co/0tImHjEBwt
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) April 25, 2022
Don't worry, libs
Elon isn't taking over Twitter to ban you
Let's just call it a…Great Reset
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) April 25, 2022
Not sure I am interested in Twitter if Elon Musk owns it.
— John W. Dean (@JohnWDean) April 24, 2022
elon musk spending $43 billion to stop getting bullied on twitter when he could’ve simply been less annoying is insane
— first-mate prance (@bocxtop) April 25, 2022
thoughts go out to people i know who are working for Twitter because, yikes
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 25, 2022
Reminder: Elon Musk's fortune, which ultimately enabled his takeover of Twitter, was jumpstarted by American taxpayers.
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) April 25, 2022
Elon Musk is buying Twitter, Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post, and Mark Zuckerburg controls Facebook and Instagram. Despite everything they tell you, capitalists are killing free speech.
— Read Becoming Abolitionists by Derecka Purnell (@JoshuaPotash) April 25, 2022
is anyone talking about the fact elon musk might like. require real names for twitter. this is a huge problem pic.twitter.com/PA4mptriLc
— Rust ️⚧️ (@NegativeAward) April 25, 2022
There is no greater Twitter troll than literally purchasing Twitter.
Congrats @ElonMusk.— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) April 25, 2022
yeah imma make this my day on twitter then imma deactivate it again
— Sadaa SlickBackkk™️ (@sadaadadon) April 25, 2022
Me, after I downloaded Twitter for free whilst Elon Musk spent $44 billion to get it . #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/XrFtyYI7J5
— Syed (@DrakesWriter1) April 25, 2022
in other words
twitter will continue to be bad for society
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) April 25, 2022
Is this the beginning of the end of @Twitter or the start of an exciting new foghorn for billionaires to scream out their fantasies?
Either way, Twitter will not be the same. One can one only hope the regulatory bodies are waiting to pounce on “free speech”.
— Ashis Basu (@BasuAshis) April 25, 2022
Musk owning, or not owning, Twitter is almost entirely irrelevant in our media environment given the state of the entire thing and the overwhelming control of official media, the main vector for most disinfo, by billionaires, corporates and politicians regardless
— Kyle Church (@KyleDChurch) April 25, 2022
If you're outraged about Elon Musk buying Twitter, but have been silent about billionaires controlling all of the mainstream media for years or Twitter already being owned by billionaires, you're just a hypocrite. But if you're outspoken about them all, I salute you! #RIPTwitter
— Quote to Inspire (@quoting2inspire) April 25, 2022
Bye bye Twitter. Not gonna hang around while a drunk billionaire promotes hate speech and makes money off it.#muskbuystwitter #deathoffreedom #billionaires #ByeFelicia
— James (@largefarve) April 25, 2022
I just don't see how putting Twitter in the hands of one billionaire will enhance anyone's speech rights. Rights are not a gift that a billionaire distributes to the masses. https://t.co/lSSaHEET5j
— Kevin Lee (he/him) (@Kleee) April 25, 2022
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