Twitter purchase by Musk alarms Democrats, pleases Republicans

Members of the United States Democratic party have expressed concern over Elon Musk's Twitter purchase.

US media reported on Monday Democratic strategist, Mary Anne Marsh, as saying that the Party was concerned that the liberal billionaire tech mogul Musk would allow former president Donald Trump, who has a history of lying, to regain access to the giant social media platform. 

“Everyone should be worried about this,” warned Marsh. “We saw the impact Trump managed to have with his Twitter account before, whether questioning Barack Obama’s birthplace or rejecting the results of the last election. Imagine what he will do to regain power in 2022 or 2024 when there is no one to stop him?”

Trump pleads to court to restore his banned Twitter account

Former US President Donald Trump asks court to reinstate his Twitter account blocked by the company.

Republicans, who have complained for years of censorship by big tech platforms, have been delighted by the new leadership at Twitter.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, whose personal account was banned after multiple violations of Twitter’s disinformation rules, tweeted from her official account before the deal was finalized: “Prepare for blue check mark full scale meltdown after @elonmusk seals the deal and I should get my personal Twitter account restored.”

Trump, who has launched his own social media platform, announced he would not rejoin Twitter even if his account was reinstated.

Trump launches own social media app to bypass ban

Former US President Donald Trump launches his own social media app after he was banned by major platforms last year.

Truth Social was launched after Trump was permanently kicked off Twitter after the company ruled that the then president’s tweets leading up to the US Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, violated its policy against the glorification of violence.

Facebook and Youtube followed suit, suspending Trump's social media activities on their platforms for his provocative comments inciting violence.

The Democrats fear there will be fewer restrictions on disinformation and incendiary speech, which former President Obama warned about at a speech this month at Stanford University.  

“Musk purchasing Twitter is dangerous for our democracy. It is a reminder why we need a wealth tax and why we need some serious regulation for Big Tech. One billionaire should not be able to turn the world upside down just because he plays by a different set of rules,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who believes the government should break up Big Tech companies to promote more competition.

Asked whether Musk’s acquisition of Twitter was cause for concern, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said: “Absolutely it does.”  

“He said he wants to make it this global message board. My first question to him, ‘Is your message board going to include Donald Trump?’ ” he said. “That’s a key question. If he lets that man rant and rave on Twitter, not in the best interests of America’s’ future.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk