Musk deal could see Trump back on Twitter by midterms

[RKP5637]

FFS!!!!!

That ass back on Twitter bellowing.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/05/tech/elon-musk-twitter-donald-trump

CNN: Elon Musk’s decision this week to once again move forward with his deal to acquire Twitter could see the return to the platform of former President Donald Trump, once the world’s most influential tweeter.

While Trump has previously said he would stay on his own social media platform, Truth Social, rather than return to Twitter, the former president may find the lure of tens of millions of Twitter followers difficult to resist.

“I do think it was not correct to ban Donald Trump; I think that was a mistake,” Musk said at a conference in May, pledging to reverse the ban were he to become the company’s owner.

Twitter CEO and Elon Musk depositions did not begin Monday, despite earlier filings in acquisition dispute

Despite agreeing to take over the company earlier this year, Musk soured on the idea over the summer and spent months battling to get out of it. Twitter sued him to force him to complete the deal. His U-turn and decision to go ahead with buying the company came to light in a securities filing Tuesday, just two weeks before he and Twitter are due to go to court.

Twitter said Tuesday it was intent on closing the deal, opening the possibility that Musk could take over the company within weeks, if the deal is completed. The company’s board and shareholders had previously approved the deal, but uncertainties remain. Twitter will have to decide how to play ball with Musk, taking into account his prior waffling on the deal — a negotiation process that could come down to how to ensure the world’s richest man will actually cut a check this time.

If the deal goes through, it could soon return to Trump what was once his preferred social media platform. Trump, whose tweets as president often drove the agenda in Washington, DC, had almost 90 million followers before he was banned permanently by the platform two days after the January 6 attack on the Capitol. (It’s unclear whether Trump would automatically regain his followers if unbanned.) Twitter said it made the decision “due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”

[DavidDvorkin]

1. I continue to think that having Trump blathering on Twitter was good for the Democrats

And would be good again.

[NCDem47]

2. Well, being off Twitter hasn't stopped the MSM from covering his every word in other mediums

They...

just...

can't...

quit him.

[newdayneeded]

3. Bingo!

Really, nothing would change with him on twitter.

[XorXor]

6. One of the most tangible results of him being banned was that many of his followers left

There was no doubt a marked difference for awhile. But I don't disagree that it didn't really limit his influence or coverage. Everyday I see screencaps of something he said on truth social or somewhere else

[Fords Crackpipe]

4. ...

Link to tweet

[Joinfortmill]

21. Get on it, reporters.

[Jack the Greater]

5. My understanding is that He Whose Name Shall Not Be Written cannot post to Twitter

without violating his contract with the Truth Social nabobs. He is the only draw TS has.

[Takket]

8. isn't he a partial owner of truth social? i thought he started it himself

[Jack the Greater]

10. He may very well be. I do not know.

[Jack the Greater]

13. My understanding of his contractual obligations may not be complete

From TechCrunch

According to a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Trump Media & Technology Group’s (TMTG) intention to go public via SPAC, Trump has some regulations to follow regarding the competition to his fledgling social network. Namely, when Trump posts a “truth” on Truth Social (yes, posts are called “truths”), he cannot repost it to any other social network for six hours.

These restrictions are likely intended to drive traffic to Truth Social — the app’s daily active user counts pale in comparison to Twitter’s, and getting first dibs on Trump posts could be reason enough to onboard new users.

The document also notes that “[Trump] may make a post from a personal account related to political messaging, political fundraising or get-out-the-vote efforts on any social media site at any time.” But he is “generally obligated” to use Truth Social.

[andym]

9. Not sure that even if a contract exists limiting social media access, that Trump would honor it

he does as he pleases, as the classified document scandal attests.

[andym]

7. Bad for America, but good for Democratic candidates

as the most divisive politician in the last century regains access to a powerful mass communication tool. Trump will help bring out voters to oppose him, but also fire up the far right to create more division.

[Takket]

11. this blows

drumpf's return would mean the end of twitter for me. very frustrating because I don't really use it for talking, i use it for info. I follow Biden, sports reporters I like, actors I like, etc etc........

People are suggesting alternate sites but if the people I like aren't on them, what's the point!

oh well.

[ZonkerHarris]

12. Instagram and TikTok are about to get even more popular than ever

[Caliman73]

14. Without appropriate moderation and clear rules, Twitter will become a cesspit, people will leave.

Musk wants to turn Twitter into a "free speech" paradise. What he will get is a place overrun with bots, trolls, and right wing scumbags who try to intimidate and post vile crap that will eventually lead to people who matter fleeing for places that do not allow that garbage.

[renate]

15. I sure would!

Twitter is my happy place. I follow comedians and animal accounts. I’m leaving if it gets angry or troll-y.

[Caliman73]

16. I think a lot of people would follow you.

I never got into Twitter. I have been tempted, but never to the extent to actually set up an account. Like you said, people generally self select where they want to be on Twitter so it is a big place with lots of "happy places".

I think however, if Musk starts to mess with the TOS and moderation on the app, then the culture will change. It won't happen right away, but eventually, people who like to troll and intimidate, will start to gain more traction and either Twitter will have to clean house, upsetting Musk's followers, or it will simply become another right wing trolling spot as the sane people will leave.

[RKP5637]

17. Yeah, I think that is exactly what will happen, it will be a cesspool of

hatred and Idiocracy. ... much what like happened to other open forums that let anyone post their hatred and idiotic comments.

[Easterncedar]

18. Musk just loves attention

He'll blow us all up just to make his mark

[RKP5637]

23. Yeah, I think this is quite true, he loves publicity. n/t

[2naSalit]

19. Fascists watching out for each other.

Facilitating their evil in every way possible.

[Joinfortmill]

20. Yup. Time for an investigative reporter to do a deep dive into Musk. Plenty to find, I'm sure.

[Johnny2X2X]

22. Not worried about Trump being on Twitter

We already get the media reporting on what he posts to Truth Social everyday, this will change nothing.

But Mush is going to let disinformation about Covid back on too as well as pro Russia invasion of Ukraine voices too. Those could have real effects on this world.