Two years earlier, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Twitter and other major social media outlets for “muffling ideas” during the COVID-19 crisis and muffling conservative voices, as he signed a bill to punish them.
Fast forward to the present, under Elon Musk’s ownership, Twitter played a significant role in DeSantis’ launch of his Republican presidential nomination campaign on Wednesday. The event was not without technical hiccups and criticism from the candidate’s detractors, but it nevertheless revealed Twitter’s apparent rightward drift under Musk, who purchased it for $44 billion and assumed control in October.
During the Twitter Spaces event, DeSantis stated, “The truth was repeatedly suppressed, and now that Twitter is under the control of a free speech advocate, this can no longer happen on this platform.”
Musk, who co-hosted the event, reciprocated the commendation by saying, “Twitter indeed came at a high price, but free speech is invaluable.”
Despite Musk’s promotion of the platform as a sanctuary for free speech, Twitter has been inundated with extremist ideologies and hate speech since his takeover and subsequent dismissal or layoffs of about 80% of its employees.
This raises concerns that Twitter, extensively used by candidates and government bodies, including those dispensing voting information, may become a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, false content, and election misinformation as the deeply divided nation heads toward the 2024 presidential elections.
While many Republicans commend Musk’s takeover of Twitter as creating a last mainstream online bastion for freely expressing their views, Democrats and anti-hate watchdogs argue that Musk’s partisan comments and policy modifications have provided a loudspeaker to far-right extremists.
Musk has revamped Twitter’s verification system, eliminated safeguards against impersonation for some government accounts and political candidates, entertained far-right conspiracy theories on the platform, reinstated charges known for extremist rhetoric, and dismantled the team responsible for moderating content on the forum.
These actions have correlated with a surge in conspiracy theory rhetoric, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League. It reported a 91% increase in QAnon hashtags on Twitter between May 2022 and May 2023, with around three-fourths of these messages posted following Musk’s takeover.
Musk’s decision to reinstate prominent Twitter accounts known for propagating extremist views has created spaces where users are disseminating antisemitic stereotypes, conspiracy theories, and other forms of hate, the ADL reported Wednesday.
Musk’s defence of free speech has also attracted conservatives who have been barred from other platforms — including Tucker Carlson, who was let go from his role.
Despite the technical difficulties encountered during DeSantis’ Twitter campaign launch, his decision to unveil his campaign on the platform suggests that Fox will face competition in its role as a decisive factor for Republicans. His campaign reported raising $1 million online in the first hour following the announcement.
However, the event’s flawed execution has cast doubts on the viability of Musk’s ambitions to make Twitter a go-to platform for politicians, businesses, and others for significant announcements.
Despite Twitter’s limited audience size, it’s expected to play an increasingly pivotal role in GOP campaign strategies for the 2024 presidential primary due to Musk’s actions and rhetoric since his takeover, as per Doug Heye, a Republican strategist.
Even as Democrats express discomfort at the direction Musk has taken on Twitter, most are choosing to stay on the platform — for now. Musk has assured that his platform will be open to any politician.
“Twitter’s a two-way street,” said Jimmy Williams, a seasoned Democratic political consultant, advising Democrats not to “cede the space.”
The transition of Twitter under Elon Musk’s control, with its subsequent shift towards the right, has been met with mixed reactions. While Republicans view this as a haven for unfiltered expression, Democrats and watchdogs fear it could become a hotbed for extremist ideologies and misinformation. Despite the concerns and debates surrounding this transformation, Twitter will likely play a significant role in shaping the political landscape leading to the 2024 presidential elections.
