Elon Musk Buys Twitter, Catholic Sources Weigh In  

On April 25th, Elon Musk finalized a 44 billion dollar deal to purchase Twitter. This deal would give Musk the ability to take Twitter private at $54.20 a share. This purchase came just weeks after Musk announced he was Twitter’s single largest shareholder. More drama ensued after Musk subsequently refused a position on Twitter’s board—an agreement that would limit him to purchasing 15% of Twitter—thus setting the stage for a buyout offer. 

Bret Taylor, Twitter’s chairman, said the board had “conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon’s proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty, and financing. The proposed transaction will deliver a substantial cash premium, and we believe it is the best path forward for Twitter’s stockholders.”

Christopher Mims, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, said “There are signs that the technically minded Mr. Musk is thinking about structural changes to Twitter if his $44 billion acquisition goes through that could have significant and sometimes contradictory impacts. Among them: his declaration that Twitter should make the algorithm that determines what users see open source and therefore more transparent. These changes could reach deep into Twitter’s fundamental infrastructure as well as its policies of self-governance. If they work, they could increase Twitter’s reach, or, if not, diminish it.”

Musk’s stated goal of purchasing Twitter was due to concerns over free speech. In a statement, Musk said, “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated … Twitter has tremendous potential—I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”

In March, Musk tweeted a poll asking users whether the site adhered to the principle of free speech. “Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?” Sentiments like these have led Musk to describe himself as “free speech absolutist.” 

Twitter, which has a user base of 217 million, has long been a nexus of free speech controversy. Perhaps the most notable incident was when Twitter suspended the account of then President Donald J. Trump after the January 6th protests. Twitter has further come under scrutiny by free speech activists by seemingly targeting conservative activists and accounts. Recently Twitter suspended high profile conservative accounts such as Charlie Kirk and The Babylon Bee. 

In an email interview with the Catholic News Agency, Fr. Edmund Waldstein, a lecturer in moral theology at The Pope Benedict XVI Philosophical-Theological University in Heiligenkreuz, Austria, seemed to support a free speech platform saying that the right to free speech is derived from the “duty to seek and serve the truth.”

Some pro-life groups have praised Musk’s new Twitter. According to the Catholic Register, “Pro-life groups, including Live Action and the Susan B. Anthony List, have accused Twitter and other big tech companies of censorship.”

In a tweet, Live Action President Lila Rose listed some ways she wanted Elon Musk to improve Twitter. “Equal, transparent treatment of both liberal and conservative viewpoints. No more censorship or suppression of pro-life views.”

Featured image courtesy of mohamed_hassan via Pixabay