Could Elon Musk get Trump back on Twitter?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk will soon speak with (and attempt to soothe the minds of) disgruntled Twitter employees in a "highly ununsual" internal Q&A session following his appointment to the social media network's board, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
Well, much like Twitter's employees, you might have some questions of your own regarding Musk's new role — chief among them, perhaps: can and will Musk bring exiled user former President Donald Trump back to Twitter?
The short answer is ... no. According to Reuters, both a company spokesperson and an employee familiar with operations said there are currently no plans to reinstate Trump or "reverse any policy decisions," Reuters writes. Since the news broke, Twitter has also continued to remind workers that Musk will not be put in charge of any significant changes — CEO Parag Agrawal still has final say over everything, per the Post.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Even if Musk appeared deeply passionate about bringing Trump back online, it would be quite "unusual for a single board member, who owns 9 percent of a company, to unilaterally change its policy on something as momentous as the Trump ban," Will Oremus writes for the Post.
But Sam Abuelsamid, an auto analyst who covers Musk's operating style at Tesla for Guidehouse Insights, told Reuters he "wouldn't be surprised" if Twitter reinstates Trump's account under Musk's influence. Chris Cillizza wrote similarly for CNN: "If Musk convinced Twitter to rethink its ban on Trump, it would throw the former president a major lifeline," he said.
Ultimately, Twitter could bring about Trump's return for a variety of reasons (e.g. he's the GOP nominee in 2024), but currently — though there's speculation — it seems unlikely Musk will become the torchbearer for that decision.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bluesky: the social media platform causing a mass X-odus
The Explainer Social media platform is enjoying a new influx but can it usurp big rivals?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What Trump's win could mean for Big Tech
Talking Points The tech industry is bracing itself for Trump's second administration
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
Speed Read Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FTC bans fake online product reviews
Speed Read The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is the world ready for Tesla's new domestic robots?
Talking Points The debut of Elon Musk's long-promised "Optimus" at a Tesla event last week has renewed debate over the role — and feasibility — of commercial automatons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
States sue TikTok over children's mental health
Speed Read The lawsuit was filed by 13 states and Washington, D.C.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published