OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
While Elon Musk is taking steps to ensure more voices are heard on Twitter, he is also a stickler for equally applying what rules on speech remain.
On Sunday, the Twitter boss took a key figure in then-President Donald Trump’s first impeachment to task after noticing a suspicious post.
In particular, Musk responded to a user who noted that former National Security Council staffer and retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman posted the exact same thing — a criticism of Musk — as at least dozens of other accounts posted, in bot-like fashion.
“Kinda weird that @elonmusk gets to decide how like a half-billion people communicate. Way too much power for one erratic individual to wield, don’t you think?” said Vindman’s post — the same thing posted by scores of others.
Kinda weird that @elonmusk gets to decide how like a half-billion people communicate. Way too much power for one erratic individual to wield, don’t you think?
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) November 27, 2022
BLEEP BLOOP KINDA WEIRD THAT @ELONMUSK GETS TO DECIDE HOW LIKE A HALF-BILLION PEOPLE COMMUNICATE BLEEP. WAY TOO MUCH POWER FOR ONE ERRATIC INDIVIDUAL TO WEILD, DON'T YOU THINK BLOOP? pic.twitter.com/IB4qfuTZM8
— Noam Blum (@neontaster) November 27, 2022
That led Musk to respond: “They’re bots in human form,” while adding this warning: “Note, spamming, whether done by a set of humans or bots is against ToS.”
Note, spamming, whether done by a set of humans or bots is against ToS
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2022
He then wrote: “Vindman is both puppet & puppeteer. Question is who pulls his strings … ?”
Another user noted, “And they’re all echoing Alexander Vindman.”
That led Musk to reply: “Like digital ventriloquist dolls.”
It should be noted that there is no indication that Vindman was involved in anything nefarious.
Regarding Trump, whom Musk reinstated to the platform last week after a user poll, the Twitter boss noted that it’s not important whether the former president actually uses the platform again or remains on his own, Truth Social.
Musk’s comments came in response to columnist and comedian Tim Young, who tweeted, “It’s been a week since @elonmusk brought Trump back… and without him even tweeting once… The left can’t handle it.”
“I’m fine with Trump not tweeting. The important thing is that Twitter correct a grave mistake in banning his account, despite no violation of the law or terms of service. Deplatforming a sitting President undermined public trust in Twitter for half of America,” Musk noted before expressing his disappointment in the Biden administration.
I’m fine with Trump not tweeting. The important thing is that Twitter correct a grave mistake in banning his account, despite no violation of the law or terms of service.
Deplatforming a sitting President undermined public trust in Twitter for half of America.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2022
“As a reminder, I was a significant supporter of the Obama-Biden presidency and (reluctantly) voted for Biden over Trump,” he wrote.
“But freedom of speech is the bedrock of a strong democracy and must take precedence. My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist. I had hoped that would the case for the Biden administration, but have been disappointed so far,” he added.
When another user asked, “Would you support Ron DeSantis in 2024, Elon?” — Musk responded, “Yes,” adding: “But Twitter as a platform must be fair to all.”
In June, Musk also signaled that he would support a DeSantis presidential run.
“The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX revealed his preferred candidate for the White House in 2024 on Wednesday when asked whom he was ‘leaning towards’ by a Silicon Valley Tesla owners club on Twitter,” The Washington Examiner reported.
“DeSantis,” Musk responded after noting that it was yet to be determined if he would cast a ballot for a GOP candidate in 2024.
Musk’s support for DeSantis comes amid a tweeted claim that he cast a ballot for his first Republican political candidate — Rep.-elect Mayra Flores, who won the formerly deep-blue 34th Congressional District in South Texas Tuesday night, becoming the first GOP candidate to do so in 150 years.
In the same tweet, he also predicted huge GOP victories during the November midterms, which turned out to be incorrect, though the party did manage to win back control of the House.
He also revealed right-leaning political tendencies prior to the midterm elections.
In an appeal to “independent” voters, the billionaire asked them to support Republicans for Congress.
“To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic,” he noted on his platform.
“Hardcore Democrats or Republicans never vote for the other side, so independent voters are the ones who actually decide who’s in charge!” he added.
