Elon Musk says people should be allowed to say racist things on Twitter

Twitter's future overlord is meeting with employees at a virtual all-hands meeting, and he is saying a lot of things.

Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris
35

Elon Musk is currently meeting with Twitter employees at a virtual all-hands meetng, and he is saying a lot of things. One such hot take from the future overlord of the social media platform is Musk's belief that users should be able to say racist things, but that doesn't mean Twitter should promote it. Tesla's CEO has repeatedly stated that he loves Freedom of speech, but he added that he also appreciates the 'Freedom of reach."

Here are some more things that Elon Musk said during the virtual all-hands meeting:

  • Users should be allowed to say what they want on Twitter
    • Musk says that users should be allowed to say legal but potentially harmful speech on the platform
    • That does not mean Twitter should promote such speech, according to Musk
    • Users also have the right to filter out content they don't want to see, said Musk
    • Musk reiterated statement that if 10% of the far left and far right are upset, Twitter is doing the right thing
  • When asked about inclusion and diversity, Musk said that getting all humans on Twitter is the most inclusive thing the platform could do
    • Musk added that he wants to get 1 billion people on Twitter
      • Musk's definition of success would include whether Twitter is helping further civilization and consciousness
  • Musk was asked how his political views will affect Twitter
    • Musk said he is moderate, says he even voted for a Mexican American politician one time...

Musk has also left Twitter employees worried for their jobs after stating that "the company needs to get healthy." He also went on to say that he is not a fan of remote work arrangements, while speaking to employees remotely.

Musk seen here in a hotel room remotely speaking to Twitter employees about how he opposes remote work.
Musk seen here in a hotel room remotely speaking to Twitter employees about how he opposes remote work.

The all-hands Twitter employee virtual meeting with Elon Musk has come to an end, but you can follow on our Twitter topic page to stay up to date on this ongoing story. It's been nearly two months since Twitter accepted Musk's $44 billion deal to acquire the company, and it appears that the acquisition will be completed just based on the way he spoke to employees.


This article is only meant for educational purposes, and should not be taken as investment advice. Please consider your own investment time horizon, risk tolerance, and consult with a financial advisor before acting on this information.

Full Disclosure:

At the time of this article, Shacknews primary shareholder Asif A. Khan, his family members, or his company Virtue LLC had the following positions:

Long Twitter via TWTR shares

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 16, 2022 10:40 AM

    Asif Khan posted a new article, Elon Musk says people should be allowed to say racist things on Twitter

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:00 AM

      Wow this apartheid apologist just "both sides same"-d, commited to massive layoffs, "I have a black friend"-d, and tacitly approved stochastic terrorism on a single Zoom call.

      This is not cool.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:27 AM

      He's going to kill Twitter if he actually goes through with the purchase.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 11:32 AM

        hopefully that, and loses him tons of money. win-win

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 11:47 AM

          I can't think of a better outcome.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 11:47 AM

        It would be funny to watch former Twitter employees start a new social media site to compete with it

      • Zek legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        June 16, 2022 12:33 PM

        This would be his greatest contribution to humanity.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 1:23 PM

        Because saying racist things kills viewership?

        • reply
          June 17, 2022 12:32 AM

          I think the argument is that permitting open stoking of hatred will make twitter so overwhelmingly toxic that normal people will just walk away.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:35 AM

      "A white man says people should be able to say racist things". There's a word that can used to describe those sorts of white men.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 11:40 AM

        Jabooferoni Pizza Roll.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 12:59 PM

        There's a few words, like racist cracker piece of subhuman shit

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 1:30 PM

          The only way to beat racism is racism

          • reply
            June 16, 2022 1:32 PM

            We aren't gonna beat racism. At least let us have our rage.

            • reply
              June 16, 2022 1:41 PM

              I’d like to be a little more hopeful but I agree with the right to rage-vent at how difficult it is.

          • reply
            June 16, 2022 4:21 PM

            [deleted]

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 4:00 PM

          How dare you call me that when I dont have my gimp mask on and a tub full of greasy popcorn in my lap.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 1:23 PM

        the public doesn't need to hear it and no platform should allow that poison to continue

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:40 AM

      Well it wouldn't be fair if Tesla totally nurtured a racist environment but not his other companies.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:43 AM

      Frankly, I've turned against him on everything. I'd even let Space-X die if was necessary to stop him from gaining further influence. No Tesla, no Space-X, nada. No more support. Best scenario is that Space-X somehow removes him and the company can keep on innovating without him being a part of it.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 11:46 AM

        I'm thankful for the EV push Tesla did, but Elon can fuck right off now.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 1:20 PM

        To be honest I'm more excited what ex-space-x folks are doing these days, like the small and micro scale nuclear reactors:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxXlD4e-wTE

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 1:34 PM

        Same. I used to think he was quirky but progressive. But he just seems like an ass, and a toxic one with too much influence at that.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:45 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 2:34 PM

        So he’s saying we should make that speech illegal?

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 11:55 AM

      Wow. What the fuck is he DOING?! I think he has syphilis or something. We are observing his brain quickly decaying in real time.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 12:05 PM

        That could be it, or this is some sort of contrived WWE-style heel turn that he thinks will lead to conservatives buying more electric vehicles. I am just waiting for the day I see a Tesla with a MAGA bumper sticker on it.

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 12:32 PM

          I still see videos of Teslas getting coal rolled or straight up run off the road. I can't see a MAGA wanting a cybertruck... could be wrong though!

          If they buy one, the first time they pull up to a supercharger filled with all these cars they associate with liberals, they will suffer some buyers remorse.

          Not unlike the Porsche Taycan driver that pulls up to an EA charger in a packed wal-mart parking lot, (and then the charger doesn't work).

          • reply
            June 16, 2022 12:48 PM

            Cybertruck - built in Texas by Texans for Texans

            TEXAS

            I just can see how it will be marketed...

            • reply
              June 16, 2022 12:56 PM

              *unable to be sold in Texas

              • reply
                June 16, 2022 12:58 PM

                I bought my Model S while living in Sugar Land. I believe the sale was executed in Colorado or something weird, but they delivered directly to my house in January 2013.

                • reply
                  June 16, 2022 2:05 PM

                  Yeah, it’s just that last I heard Tesla didn’t want to deal with third party dealerships and Texas is one of the states with laws on the books saying a car manufacturer can’t own a dealership. This was one of the laws passed back in the day to protect dealerships from bullying tactics by auto companies who would threaten to open a dealership down the street to put them out of business unless they caved to their terms.

                  There are Tesla “showrooms” where you can learn all about them, do test drives, etc. but not buy the cars. They’ll tell you how to go home and buy them online (you may have done this exact thing).

                  I guess all I’m saying is I’m surprised when Elon said he’d put his plant in Texas why he didn’t ask for that law to be changed while he was at it. Then again we’re talking about the guy who is perilously close to drunk-purchasing Twitter, perhaps his smartest days are behind him.

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 1:32 PM

          I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that in Florida already

          • reply
            June 16, 2022 3:19 PM

            If you snap a picture next time you see that, we will turn it into a Shacknews article that will get more engagement on Facebook than a year's worth of Chatty comments.

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 6:23 PM

          His conservative appeal on Twitter is 100% just his Machiavellian way to get conservatives to adopt green energy and his other companies. His tweets are like little chess moves, in a sense, but they are very obvious to anyone who reads between the lines.

          Even if deep down he doesn’t believe what he’s saying and he’s doing it for the greater good, it’s poorly thought out and extremely narcissistic.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 12:24 PM

        He's getting the attention he craves from wherever he can get it

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 1:37 PM

        It's the dictator trap. He's larger than life, successful, surrounded by yes-men. He has lost connection with reality, and nobody can tell him otherwise.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 12:06 PM

      First Amendment says that you are free to speak whatever you want (shirt if hate speech), but does not require any venue - save for a government operated channel - the need to publish or broadcast that speech .

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 1:31 PM

      Edgelords gonna edgelord

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 1:33 PM

      Elon is a champion for free speech which is why he's proud to endorse Ron DeSantis for president

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 1:46 PM

      Twitter is already a cesspit of racist fascist social engineering. Musk’s just upholding the position of the board.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 2:30 PM

      Fits here even better:
      Elon Musk "Versus" Twitter - SOME MORE NEWS
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9MO18F5Wi8

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 2:36 PM

      Seems like sme of his employees aren't happy with him either.

      https://www.reuters.com/technology/spacex-employees-denounce-ceo-musk-distraction-letter-2022-06-16/

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 3:15 PM

        That Some More News has a thing about the different Manufacturing Buildings being segregated.
        SEGREGATED IN 2022.

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 3:20 PM

        Seems like a lot of talented engineers who keep their heads down doing awesome work would get annoyed by his constant tweet stream on nonsense.

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 4:13 PM

          Yeah, I can't imagine a bunch of incredibly talented people that joined his companies and really believed in what they are out to accomplish, and watch the owner of the company be such a dick hole.

          I'm sure some savvy Blue Origin or Boeing recruiters are sniffing around the top tier talent

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 3:53 PM

      His pinned tweet is a reference to replacement theory….

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 4:05 PM

        "The 'Jews will not replace us' people, who I do not support, do have a point on demographics...."

        • reply
          June 16, 2022 4:57 PM

          He's already tweeted the fascist propaganda that at least Mussolini made the trains run on time.

          • reply
            June 16, 2022 5:03 PM

            it's all just memes for him, desperate for attention and for people to think he's funny, no amount of money will fill that hole

            • reply
              June 16, 2022 6:49 PM

              Wish he'd just skip forward and off himself or OD during an orgy and drug binge in the Caribbean

      • reply
        June 16, 2022 9:19 PM

        Wants to buy one of the largest social platforms out there so he can enable hate-speech and is already slyly injecting replacement theory like that. Republican party's wet dream.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 6:58 PM

      I will miss Twitter if he ever does control it, but I guess that just means I'll be posting in the Chatty more.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 7:00 PM

      Yeah, he can just fuck off whenever. Biggest fucking tool on the planet.

    • reply
      June 16, 2022 8:12 PM

      How is that any different from Twitter now?

Hello, Meet Lola