Elon Musk reinstates Trump’s Twitter account
By Ryan Mac and Kellen Browning
SAN FRANCISCO – Elon Musk said on Twitter on Saturday (19) that he would reinstate former President Donald Trump to the platform as part of a shake-up of the social media service, with Trump’s account quickly showing up again on the site.
Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion last month, had asked users on the platform starting late Friday (18) about whether to allow Trump back onto the service. Twitter had barred Trump after the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, at the US Capitol, saying his posts had run the risk of inciting violence.
More than 15 million votes were logged in answer to Musk’s question about whether to reinstate Trump, according to the results that Musk included in his tweet, with nearly 52% in favour of the former president returning to Twitter. Trump’s Twitter account went live shortly after, though the former president’s last tweet was from Jan. 8, 2021.
“The people have spoken,” Musk said on Twitter. “Trump will be reinstated.”
Musk and Twitter did not immediately return requests for comment.
Trump, who did not immediately return a request for comment, had announced Tuesday (15) that he planned to seek the White House again in 2024. Whether Trump will agree to return to Twitter is not clear. He has started his own social network, Truth Social, in which he has a financial stake.
Trump is obligated to make his posts available exclusively on Truth Social for six hours before sharing them on other sites, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He can post to any site immediately if the messages pertain to political messaging, fundraising, or get-out-the-vote initiatives. Truth Social did not return a request for comment.
“I like Elon, but I’m staying on Truth,” Trump said during a Fox News interview after Musk’s takeover.
Conservatives cheered Musk’s decision, saying it was a victory for the freedom of speech. The phrase ‘He’s Back’ was trending on the platform Saturday evening.
“Elon Musk reinstating Donald Trump’s Twitter account is a middle finger to all of mainstream media, woke leftists & Big Tech,” tweeted Steven Crowder, a conservative commentator. “If you claim to support free speech, this should have you smiling from ear to ear.”
-New York Times
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