Elon Musk Sparks Controversy: In a surprising move, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), announced the reinstatement of right-wing extremist Alex Jones’ account. Jones had been deplatformed in 2018 due to multiple violations of rules against harassment and hate.
Musk conducted an unscientific poll on Saturday, asking users if Jones should be reinstated. Around 70% of the nearly 2 million respondents voted in favor. Musk, known for promoting conspiracy theories and facing an advertiser boycott, stated on Sunday morning that “The people have spoken and so it shall be,” reinstating Jones’ account.
Despite acknowledging potential financial repercussions for X, Musk asserted that “principles matter more than money.” This decision may intensify challenges for X as it grapples with hate speech and conspiracy theories, contributing to recent advertiser departures.
While Musk had previously expressed reluctance to lift Jones’ ban, pressure from right-wing allies seemingly influenced his change of stance. Musk questioned whether X should prioritize freedom of speech, even though he disagreed with Jones’ false claims, particularly regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Jones, known for spreading disinformation, gained notoriety by suggesting the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Courts have ordered him to pay over $1 billion in damages to the victims’ families. Restoring Jones’ account aligns with Musk’s trend of welcoming back controversial figures since acquiring X.
Jones’ original Twitter ban in 2018 followed abusive behavior, including an incident where he targeted . Despite Musk’s previous commitment not to reinstate Jones, this recent decision has sparked criticism, even from some of Musk’s staunch supporters, who cite the real-world harm caused by Jones’ actions.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk xAI Aims to Raise $1 Billion in Equity Offering for Safer AI Endeavors
Our Reader’s Queries
What ethnicity is Elon Musk?
Elon Reeve Musk, a man of British and Pennsylvania Dutch descent, was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. His mother, Maye Musk, hails from Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up in South Africa. Maye is a model and dietitian by profession.
What languages does Elon Musk speak?
Hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, Elon Musk is a renowned American business magnate, investor, and engineer. He currently holds the positions of CEO and CTO at SpaceX, CEO and product architect at Tesla, and chairman at SolarCity. With his impressive portfolio, Musk has established himself as a prominent figure in the tech industry.