Free Speech Debate Reignites After Elon Musk Becomes A Twitter Board Member

Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s purchase of 9.2% of Twitter’s stock has propelled him to the board of directors at the social media company, and his assertions that he is a “free speech absolutist” are causing mixed reactions to the news.

Musk, who is limited to owning only a max of 14.9% of the stock in the company, now holds four times the amount of stock as founder and CEO Jack Dorsey, though it appears the deal for his stake in ownership was specifically crafted to keep him somewhat in check.

“Twitter structured the deal in a way that makes it nearly impossible or Musk to single-handedly or through combined ownership take control,” Timm Karr, senior director of strategy and communications at Free Press, told The Hill.

Twitter has maintained that policy decisions are “not determined by the Board or shareholders” and they have no plans to reverse or make any new policies following Musk's addition to the board.

However, Musk’s new stake has reignited a debate about free speech on social media, especially in light of his long-term criticism of sites like Twitter for what he has deemed their control of free speech on their platforms. He previously considered starting his own social media platform to allow for more “free speech,” as he had issues with platforms censoring or banning people for either violating guidelines or otherwise behaving in a way that the site could determine as dangerous.

Social media companies are allowed to make their own rules and dictate what kinds of environments they want to create on their platforms.

Critics of Musk’s views however indicate that his issue seems to be more about powerful people like himself facing consequences based on things they say.

“Musk’s version of free speech, in practice, seems to be one in which only powerful people can say what they please and escape any negative consequences,” Marina Koren wrote for The Atlantic. “He bristles when what others want to say goes against his own preferences...he has little interest in critics. And he has not always shown himself to be someone who welcomes people speaking their mind, especially not at his own companies.”

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers and other conservatives see Musk’s influence at Twitter as a good thing, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), calling the move “fabulous.