For leftists, the bad news was traveling fast.
It was bad enough to hear that a self-declared “free speech” absolutist like billionaire Elon Musk was buying what has become the progressive playpen of Twitter.
What was worse was the first statement he tweeted after the announcement was made.
In a Twitter post published at 3:43 p.m. April 25 – adorned with stars, rocket ships, hearts and the word “Yesss!!!” for emphasis – Musk publicized a statement describing his view of the social media platform’s rightful role:
“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,” the statement said.
“I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans.
“Twitter has tremendous potential — I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”
🚀💫♥️ Yesss!!! ♥️💫🚀 pic.twitter.com/0T9HzUHuh6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022
Check out some liberal reactions:
From Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren:
This deal is dangerous for our democracy. Billionaires like Elon Musk play by a different set of rules than everyone else, accumulating power for their own gain. We need a wealth tax and strong rules to hold Big Tech accountable.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 25, 2022
And MSNBC’s always-insightful Joy Reid:
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/1518627098407153668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1518627098407153668%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westernjournal.com%2Fmusks-1st-tweet-buyout-proves-leftists-worst-nightmares-coming-true%2F
CNN’s Don Lemon broadening his horizons by interviewing New York Times journalist Karen Swisher about the Musk move:
Elon Musk says he wants to make Twitter "better than ever."@donlemon talks to @karaswisher about what’s next for the platform after the billionaire’s bid for the site was accepted. Watch: pic.twitter.com/xVquL1VI69
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) April 26, 2022
“I don’t think anyone disagrees this should be a free and open debate or platform,” Lemon said, about the 2:10 mark. “But, I mean, shouldn’t it … not necessarily be a font for misinformation? Or to, you know, say things about people that just aren’t true?”
“Apparently, yes, according to Elon Musk,” Swisher responded. “He’s a free-speech maximalist.”
From a free-speech point of view, Musk has said all the right things and anyone who believes in free speech — regardless of political preferences — has grounds for optimism. (As a wise man once said, though, “put not your trust in princes.” Always solid advice.)
But one thing that’s certain is the effect his public statement — made within minutes of the buyout news becoming public — had on leftists who’ve grown used to having their own way:
It’s their worst nightmare come true.
