Elon Musk says Twitter overstepped the limits of free speech when it banned Trump

Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in the world, seemed to indicate Wednesday that Twitter had “censored” former President Donald Trump’s free speech when it permanently barred him from the platform following January 6, 2021, insurrection.

One of the first hints about what Musk expects to do with Trump’s account once he formally controls the platform is the notion that Twitter overstepped the bounds of free speech when it deleted him.

The suggestion that Twitter overstepped the limitations of free speech when it banned Trump is one of the first hints about what Tesla’s boss Elon Musk plans to do with the former president’s account once he officially acquires the platform.

Elon Musk, in the prior tweet on Wednesday, had noted that Truth Social was “beating” Twitter and TikTok on the app store of Apple.

Musk hasn’t said anything about what should happen to Trump’s account, and Wednesday’s post isn’t proof that he’ll restore it, especially given Musk’s proclivity for exaggerating and going back on tweets.

However, it adds to speculation that Musk’s proclaimed absolutist stance to free speech would result in the restoration of accounts previously suspended by Twitter.

According to several civil rights groups, giving Trump access to Twitter and his tens of millions of followers could be detrimental to society.

Trump has stated that even if he is permitted to return to Twitter, he will remain on Truth Social. Given Twitter’s significant involvement in his campaign and presidency, as well as Truth Social’s rocky start, that could easily change.

Musk and Twitter reached an agreement on Monday for the Tesla CEO to buy all of the company’s outstanding shares for $54.20.

Mr Musk says Twitter needs to be transformed into a private firm to build trust with users and do better at serving the “societal imperative” of free speech.

The deal may be completed by the end of this year, as shareholders and regulators still have to approve it.