OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Twitter CEO Elon Musk has caused another stir on the platform, this time by merely sharing a photo of his nightstand.
The SpaceX and Tesla founder and billionaire on Monday tweeted an image of his “bedside table” that featured several items sparking a tidal wave of comments and some outrage.
The items included in the pic: Four opened cans of caffeine-free diet Diet Coke; an early flintlock pistol in a case featuring a painting of Gen. George Washington crossing the Delaware, and what Fox Business Network described as a “sci-fi-looking revolver.”
My bedside table pic.twitter.com/sIdRYJcLTK
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
He added in another tweet: “There’s no excuse for my lack of coasters” — a nod toward several rings left on the table, presumably by cold soda cans or drink glasses.
He then wrote: “Greetings, I’m Musket, Elon Musket.”
Greetings, I’m Musket, Elon Musket
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
“A quick search revealed that the revolver is modeled after one from a popular role-playing computer game called Deus Ex. Whether or not its operational was not confirmed,” The Western Journal reported.
correct me if I'm wrong…. is that the revolver from deus ex? If so I am unimaginably angry pic.twitter.com/xrDJ6oSAaJ
— Gene Parmesan (@gamecubejr) November 28, 2022
Some users immediately suggested that the photo would spur a wave of anti-gun comments from leftist Twitter users.
“LOL – This is going to trigger the Left more than anything you’ve ever tweeted. Let the tears start falling like rain,” conservative Twitter personality “Catturd” tweeted.
“The people who want to ban handguns are going to lose it over this,” conservative filmmaker and activist Robby Starbuck added.
“The reality is @elonmusk is the greatest thing to happened to free speech in the last decade. Do you agree?” noted author Layah Heilpern.
Meanwhile, Musk has been making moves since becoming “the sole director” of Twitter.
The billionaire CEO has disbanded the social media company’s board of directors, taken action to limit employees’ power, and looked into alleged censorship against certain political figures. He has also unbanned previously barred users, most famously former President Donald Trump.
“Twitter’s board of directors was dissolved following Elon Musk’s takeover of the company, according to a securities filing on Monday. The company filing states that all previous members of Twitter’s board, including recently ousted CEO Parag Agrawal and chairman Bret Taylor, are no longer directors ‘in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement,’” CNN reported.
“Musk, according to the filing, became ‘the sole director of Twitter.’ The move, while unsurprising, highlights how the world’s richest man has quickly cemented his control over one of the world’s most influential platforms, with few if any checks on his power over the company. Almost immediately after Musk completed his $44 billion deal to acquire Twitter, Musk terminated at least four of its top executives, including Agrawal,” the report added.
Musk also took action to limit the ability of Twitter employees to moderate content and enforce that platform’s often criticized rules.
Bloomberg News reported that “most” of Twitter’s Trust and Safety team is “unable to alter or penalize accounts that break rules around misleading information, offensive posts and hate speech,” except for circumstances in which real-world harm could happen if action is not taken.
Musk went viral over the weekend when he responded to a tweet from far-left Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano after she tweeted that she had traded in her Tesla for a Volkswagen electric vehicle in protest against Musk.
“I gave back my Tesla,” Milano said. “I bought the VW ev. I love it. I’m not sure how advertisers can buy space on Twitter. Publicly traded company’s products being pushed in alignment with hate and white supremacy doesn’t seem to be a winning business model.”
I gave back my Tesla.
I bought the VW ev.
I love it.
I’m not sure how advertisers can buy space on Twitter. Publicly traded company’s products being pushed in alignment with hate and white supremacy doesn’t seem to be a winning business model.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 26, 2022
“Volkswagen was literally founded by the Nazi’s and Hitler,” the Hodge Twins said, to which Musk responded with the 100 emoji and laughing emoji.
🤣💯
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 26, 2022
“Wait till you learn who founded Volkswagen!” Political strategist Pete D’Abrosca added.
Also last week, Musk appeared to give his stamp of approval to one potential Republican presidential contender not named Trump: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A Twitter user asked, “Would you support Ron DeSantis in 2024, Elon?” Musk simply responded with: “Yes.”
