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Elon Musk - RationalWiki
<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="client-nojs" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"/> <title>Elon Musk - RationalWiki</title> <script>document.documentElement.className="client-js";RLCONF={"wgBreakFrames":!1,"wgSeparatorTransformTable":["",""],"wgDigitTransformTable":["",""],"wgDefaultDateFormat":"dmy","wgMonthNames":["","January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"wgRequestId":"Z-J7zN9SqHzb4T1DQFYTpgAAAM8","wgCSPNonce":!1,"wgCanonicalNamespace":"","wgCanonicalSpecialPageName":!1,"wgNamespaceNumber":0,"wgPageName":"Elon_Musk","wgTitle":"Elon Musk","wgCurRevisionId":2727038,"wgRevisionId":2727038,"wgArticleId":186037,"wgIsArticle":!0,"wgIsRedirect":!1,"wgAction":"view","wgUserName":null,"wgUserGroups":["*"],"wgCategories":["Pages using DynamicPageList parser function","CS1 errors: markup","Silver-level articles","Technology","2020 election denialists","2024 US presidential election","Alt-right","Anti-immigration","Anti-intellectualism","Anti-LGBT bigots","Antisemites","Anti-vaccination movement","Atheists","Billionaires","Business", "California","Canadians","Consequentialism","Conservative deceit","Conspiracy theorists","COVID-19 denialists","Crank magnetism","Cryptocurrency","Cult leaders","Epsteinsphere","Eugenics supporters","Fascists","Futurism","Global warming denialists","Great Replacement conspiracy theorists","Homophobes","Internet","Internet kooks","Living people","Longtermism","Machismo","Neo-Nazis","Pseudoscience promoters","Racists","Sexists","Shysters","South Africa","Texas","Thielsphere","Transphobes","Trolls","Trumpism","Vatniks","White supremacists"],"wgPageContentLanguage":"en","wgPageContentModel":"wikitext","wgRelevantPageName":"Elon_Musk","wgRelevantArticleId":186037,"wgIsProbablyEditable":!0,"wgRelevantPageIsProbablyEditable":!0,"wgRestrictionEdit":[],"wgRestrictionMove":[],"wgMediaViewerOnClick":!0,"wgMediaViewerEnabledByDefault":!0};RLSTATE={"site.styles":"ready","noscript":"ready","user.styles":"ready","user":"ready","user.options":"loading","ext.cite.styles":"ready", "skins.vector.styles.legacy":"ready","mediawiki.toc.styles":"ready"};RLPAGEMODULES=["ext.cite.ux-enhancements","site","mediawiki.page.startup","mediawiki.page.ready","mediawiki.toc","skins.vector.legacy.js","ext.gadget.ReferenceTooltips","mmv.head","mmv.bootstrap.autostart"];</script> <script>(RLQ=window.RLQ||[]).push(function(){mw.loader.implement("user.options@1hzgi",function($,jQuery,require,module){/*@nomin*/mw.user.tokens.set({"patrolToken":"+\\","watchToken":"+\\","csrfToken":"+\\"}); });});</script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=ext.cite.styles%7Cmediawiki.toc.styles%7Cskins.vector.styles.legacy&only=styles&skin=vector"/> <script async="" src="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=startup&only=scripts&raw=1&skin=vector"></script> <meta name="ResourceLoaderDynamicStyles" content=""/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=site.styles&only=styles&skin=vector"/> <meta name="generator" content="MediaWiki 1.35.6"/> <meta name="description" content="Elon "Elmo"&#91;3&#93; Reeve "Chief Twit"&#91;4&#93; "Space Karen"&#91;5&#93; "Harry Bōlz"&#91;6&#93; "Elongated Muskrat"&#91;7&#93; "Kekius Maximus" &#91;8&#93;&#91;note 1&#93; "Adrian Dittmann"&#91;note 2&#93; Musk (1971–) is a former illegal immigrant&#91;note 3&#93; and current centibillionaire who is one of the richest people in the world — sometimes the richest, depending on swings in Tesla's stock price.&#91;16&#93;&#91;17&#93;&#91;note 4&#93;&#91;note 5&#93; Musk has expressed a wide range of erratically-shifting and sometimes contradictory beliefs. To name a few among these: he has endorsed antisemitic and/or racist ideas,&#91;18&#93;&#91;19&#93;&#91;20&#93;&#91;21&#93; conspiracy theories,&#91;22&#93;&#91;23&#93;&#91;24&#93;&#91;note 6&#93; and occasional pro-Russia/China positions,&#91;43&#93;&#91;44&#93;&#91;45&#93; but has often taken the exact opposite position before on any given issue. Despite this, he has also fostered an enormous cult of personality.&#91;46&#93;&#91;47&#93;&#91;48&#93; But he is best known for his S3XY electric vehicles&#91;49&#93; and for his "plans" to colonise Mars.&#91;50&#93;&#91;51&#93;&#91;52&#93; By 2023, Musk had been recognized by the Guinness World Records for the "largest loss of personal fortune in history" (US$182 billion loss) due to a crash in Tesla's stock price.&#91;53&#93;"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/x-wiki" title="Edit" href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit"/> <link rel="edit" title="Edit" href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico"/> <link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="/w/opensearch_desc.php" title="RationalWiki (en)"/> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" href="https://rationalwiki.org/w/api.php?action=rsd"/> <link rel="license" href="/wiki/RationalWiki:Copyrights"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" title="RationalWiki Atom feed" href="/w/index.php?title=Special:RecentChanges&feed=atom"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="RationalWiki"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Elon Musk"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Elon "Elmo"&#91;3&#93; Reeve "Chief Twit"&#91;4&#93; "Space Karen"&#91;5&#93; "Harry Bōlz"&#91;6&#93; "Elongated Muskrat"&#91;7&#93; "Kekius Maximus" &#91;8&#93;&#91;note 1&#93; "Adrian Dittmann"&#91;note 2&#93; Musk (1971–) is a former illegal immigrant&#91;note 3&#93; and current centibillionaire who is one of the richest people in the world — sometimes the richest, depending on swings in Tesla's stock price.&#91;16&#93;&#91;17&#93;&#91;note 4&#93;&#91;note 5&#93; Musk has expressed a wide range of erratically-shifting and sometimes contradictory beliefs. To name a few among these: he has endorsed antisemitic and/or racist ideas,&#91;18&#93;&#91;19&#93;&#91;20&#93;&#91;21&#93; conspiracy theories,&#91;22&#93;&#91;23&#93;&#91;24&#93;&#91;note 6&#93; and occasional pro-Russia/China positions,&#91;43&#93;&#91;44&#93;&#91;45&#93; but has often taken the exact opposite position before on any given issue. Despite this, he has also fostered an enormous cult of personality.&#91;46&#93;&#91;47&#93;&#91;48&#93; But he is best known for his S3XY electric vehicles&#91;49&#93; and for his "plans" to colonise Mars.&#91;50&#93;&#91;51&#93;&#91;52&#93; By 2023, Musk had been recognized by the Guinness World Records for the "largest loss of personal fortune in history" (US$182 billion loss) due to a crash in Tesla's stock price.&#91;53&#93;"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Elon_Musk"/> <!--[if lt IE 9]><script src="/w/resources/lib/html5shiv/html5shiv.js"></script><![endif]--> </head> <body class="mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject mw-editable page-Elon_Musk rootpage-Elon_Musk skin-vector action-view minerva--history-page-action-enabled skin-vector-legacy"> <div id="mw-page-base" class="noprint"></div> <div id="mw-head-base" class="noprint"></div> <div id="content" class="mw-body" role="main"> <a id="top"></a> <div id="siteNotice" class="mw-body-content"><div id="localNotice" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div id="2025_RationalWiki_.27Oregon_Plan.27_Fundraiser"> <table role="presentation" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; width: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 60%; text-align: left;"><big><center><b><a href="/wiki/RationalWiki:Fundraiser" title="RationalWiki:Fundraiser">2025 RationalWiki 'Oregon Plan' Fundraiser</a></b></center></big> <p><b>There is no RationalWiki without you.</b> We are a small non-profit with no staff—we are hundreds of volunteers who document pseudoscience and crankery around the world every day. 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margin: 0 0 0.5em 0.5em; text-align:left; border: 1px solid #FF4500; width:175px;"> <tbody><tr> <td style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; color:White; background-color:#FF4500"><b>It just works</b><br /><a href="/wiki/Technology" title="Technology"><font size="4" color="White"><b>Technology</b></font></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="background-color:#FFA07A;" align="center"><a href="/wiki/Category:Technology" title="Category:Technology"><img alt="Icon Tech Portal.svg" src="/w/images/thumb/7/7d/Icon_Tech_Portal.svg/100px-Icon_Tech_Portal.svg.png" decoding="async" width="100" height="100" srcset="/w/images/thumb/7/7d/Icon_Tech_Portal.svg/150px-Icon_Tech_Portal.svg.png 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/7/7d/Icon_Tech_Portal.svg/200px-Icon_Tech_Portal.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="200" data-file-height="200" /></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 95%; color:White; background-color:#FF4500; text-align:center;"><b>Programming for Dummies</b> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 95%; background-color:#FFA07A;"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Luddite" title="Luddite">Luddite</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/ADE-651" title="ADE-651">ADE-651</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taser" title="Taser">Taser</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Machine_learning" title="Machine learning">Machine learning</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Engineering" title="Engineering">Engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Alan_Turing" title="Alan Turing">Alan Turing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/5G" title="5G">5G</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Freedom_Phone" title="Freedom Phone">Freedom Phone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Impact_of_science" title="Impact of science">Impact of science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/ChatGPT" title="ChatGPT">ChatGPT</a></li></ul> <div class="vte plainlinks" style="font-size:smaller; text-align:center;"><a href="/wiki/Template:Technav" title="Template:Technav">v</a> - <a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Technav" title="Template talk:Technav">t</a> - <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Technav&action=edit">e</a></div> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Elon won't go home. I can't get rid of him. Until I don't like him.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—<a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a><sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>The [SolarCity] trial’s most illuminating moments were the ones in which the central questions that have long haunted Musk’s career were made explicit. Is he a visionary or a huckster? A <a href="/wiki/Marketing" class="mw-redirect" title="Marketing">marketing</a> genius or a <a href="/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder" class="mw-redirect" title="Narcissistic personality disorder">narcissistic</a> <a href="/wiki/Troll" class="mw-redirect" title="Troll">troll</a>?</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Will Oremus<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p><b>Elon "Elmo"<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup> Reeve "Chief Twit"<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup> "Space Karen"<sup id="cite_ref-proudian_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-proudian-5">[5]</a></sup> "Harry Bōlz"<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6">[6]</a></sup> "Elongated Muskrat"<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7">[7]</a></sup> "Kekius Maximus" <sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8">[8]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11">[note 1]</a></sup> "Adrian Dittmann"<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16">[note 2]</a></sup> Musk</b> (1971–) is a former <a href="/wiki/Illegal_immigrant" class="mw-redirect" title="Illegal immigrant">illegal immigrant</a><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18">[note 3]</a></sup> and current <span title="a person with a net worth of $100 billion or more" style="border-bottom:1px dotted">centibillionaire</span> who is one of the richest people in the world — sometimes the richest, depending on swings in <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#Tesla_Motors" title="Elon Musk">Tesla</a>'s stock price.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19">[16]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20">[17]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21">[note 4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22">[note 5]</a></sup> Musk has expressed a wide range of erratically-shifting and sometimes contradictory beliefs. To name a few among these: he has endorsed antisemitic and/or racist ideas,<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23">[18]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24">[19]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-ActualTruth_25-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ActualTruth-25">[20]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26">[21]</a></sup> conspiracy theories,<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27">[22]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FortuneGunman_28-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FortuneGunman-28">[23]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-BronnyJamesNote_29-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BronnyJamesNote-29">[24]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48">[note 6]</a></sup> and occasional pro-<a href="/wiki/Russia" title="Russia">Russia</a>/<a href="/wiki/China" title="China">China</a> positions,<sup id="cite_ref-dua_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dua-49">[43]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50">[44]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-51">[45]</a></sup> but has often taken the exact opposite position before on any given issue. Despite this, he has also fostered an enormous <a href="/wiki/Cult_of_personality" class="mw-redirect" title="Cult of personality">cult of personality</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-52">[46]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-53">[47]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-54">[48]</a></sup> But he is best known for his S3XY electric vehicles<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-55">[49]</a></sup> and for his "plans" to colonise <a href="/wiki/Mars" title="Mars">Mars</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-56">[50]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57">[51]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-58">[52]</a></sup> By 2023, Musk had been recognized by the Guinness World Records for the "largest loss of personal fortune in history" (US$182 billion loss) due to a crash in Tesla's stock price.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-59">[53]</a></sup> </p><p>He is also the embodiment of the hi-tech <a href="/wiki/Messiah" title="Messiah">messiah</a> complex of the 21<sup>st</sup> century with a detailed history of terrible <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> shitposting.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-60">[54]</a></sup> To give one shining example of his typical eccentric flair: he once brought a two-hundred year old <a href="/wiki/Gun" title="Gun"> musket</a> to a <a href="/wiki/Video_game" title="Video game"> video-game</a> studio to demand a cameo in their <a href="/wiki/Cyberpunk" class="mw-redirect" title="Cyberpunk">cyberpunk</a> game.<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-61">[55]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk is notable for massively promoting several firms that have pushed cutting-edge innovation forward in the fields of green technology, cars in space, <a href="/wiki/Artificial_intelligence" title="Artificial intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>, <a href="/wiki/Hyperloop" title="Hyperloop">hyperloop</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Space" title="Space">space</a> travel, and several <a href="/wiki/Charity" title="Charity"> charities</a>. Musk, however, also oversees questionable <a href="/wiki/Trade_union" title="Trade union">labor</a> practices<sup id="cite_ref-62" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-62">[56]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-63">[57]</a></sup> and has a strange view of modern <a href="/wiki/Capitalism" title="Capitalism">capitalism</a>. </p><p>Musk is also notable for his significant political shifts over the years. In 2012, Musk described himself as a moderate with middle of the road political views.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-64">[58]</a></sup> At that time, his politics were far secondary to his <a href="/wiki/Futurism" title="Futurism">futurism</a> persona — his social media was all about his companies' progress, with the goal of such companies being lofty concepts such as minimizing <a href="/wiki/Climate_change" title="Climate change">climate change</a> and <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a> such as "colonizing" <a href="/wiki/Mars" title="Mars">Mars</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-low_65-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-low-65">[59]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-66" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-66">[60]</a></sup> By 2024, fueled by private life drama (including Musk's inability to handle his <a href="/wiki/Transgender" title="Transgender">transgender</a> daughter's transition),<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-67">[61]</a></sup> Musk had largely abandoned this persona in favor of <a href="/wiki/Reactionary" title="Reactionary">reactionary</a> stances, becoming a <a href="/wiki/Trumpism" title="Trumpism">Trumpism</a>-aligned persona obsessed with the supposed dangers of "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a>". His <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> feed increasingly looked less like a promotion for his Tesla and SpaceX companies and more like the feed of a far-right activist.<sup id="cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnallintrump-68">[62]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-69">[63]</a></sup> Prior concerns of Musk, such as the threat climate change posed to the world, were largely abandoned<sup id="cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnallintrump-68">[62]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70">[64]</a></sup> in favor of supporting <a href="/wiki/Tommy_Robinson" title="Tommy Robinson">far-right hooligans</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-71">[65]</a></sup> downplaying the impact of the <a href="/wiki/Holocaust" title="Holocaust">Holocaust</a> at an <a href="/wiki/AfD" class="mw-redirect" title="AfD">AfD</a> rally,<sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-72">[66]</a></sup> and performing two <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_salutes" class="extiw" title="wp:Nazi salutes" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Nazi salutes">Nazi salutes</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#Giving_a_Nazi_salute" title="Elon Musk">on stage</a> at <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>'s 2025 inauguration.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-73">[67]</a></sup> Musk financially supported, campaigned with, and promoted <a href="/wiki/Big_Lie" class="mw-redirect" title="Big Lie">Big Lie</a> conspiracies about Trump in the <a href="/wiki/2024_U.S._presidential_election" class="mw-redirect" title="2024 U.S. presidential election">2024 U.S. presidential election</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-trumpallin_74-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-trumpallin-74">[68]</a></sup> By January 2025, Musk was so heavily in Trump's orbit that he was widely mockingly described as the <i>de facto</i> 47th president of the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-75">[69]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk has found endless controversy (and legal problems) due to bizarre and even despicable tweets ranging from <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_denialism" title="COVID-19 denialism">COVID-19 misinformation and anti-lockdown stubbornness</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-76">[70]</a></sup> to market-destabilizing comments, to even labeling a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Luang_cave_rescue" class="extiw" title="wp:Tham Luang cave rescue" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Tham Luang cave rescue">Tham Luang cave rescue</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> diver as a <a href="/wiki/Pedophilia" title="Pedophilia">pedophile</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-77" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-77">[71]</a></sup> Other bizarre tweets include denying that a <a href="/wiki/Neo-Nazism" title="Neo-Nazism">neo-Nazi</a> was in fact, a neo-Nazi,<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-78">[72]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FortuneGunman_28-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FortuneGunman-28">[23]</a></sup> and creepily declaring that he wanted to impregnate megastar musician <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift" class="extiw" title="wp:Taylor Swift" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Taylor Swift">Taylor Swift</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> after she endorsed <a href="/wiki/Kamala_Harris" title="Kamala Harris">Kamala Harris</a> for the <a href="/wiki/2024_U.S._presidential_election" class="mw-redirect" title="2024 U.S. presidential election">2024 U.S. presidential election</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-79">[73]</a></sup> </p><p>In 2023, Musk deliberately shut down <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink" class="extiw" title="wp:Starlink" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Starlink">Starlink</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> access to the Ukrainian military as they were carrying out a military operation in Crimea. Musk also drew the ire of the Taiwanese government and the praise of the Chinese Communist Party when he publicly supported the PRC claim over Taiwan.<sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-80">[74]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk has shown some willingness to admit when he's wrong, though this is rather rare (and may be <a href="/wiki/PR" class="mw-redirect" title="PR">PR</a>). Two examples include his regret for promoting a conspiracy theory about <a href="/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi" title="Nancy Pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>'s husband,<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-81">[75]</a></sup> and regret for cheering on a particularly egregious antisemitic post.<sup id="cite_ref-82" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-82">[76]</a></sup> </p> <div id="toc" class="toc" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mw-toc-heading"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="display:none" /><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr"><h2 id="mw-toc-heading">Contents</h2><span class="toctogglespan"><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox"></label></span></div> <ul> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="#Youth_and_skeletons_in_the_family_closet"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Youth and skeletons in the family closet</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="#Business_ventures"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Business ventures</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="#The_Boring_Company:_Burn_it_all_down"><span class="tocnumber">2.1</span> <span class="toctext">The Boring Company: Burn it all down</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-4"><a href="#Tesla_Motors"><span class="tocnumber">2.2</span> <span class="toctext">Tesla Motors</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-5"><a href="#Coins_for_Cars"><span class="tocnumber">2.2.1</span> <span class="toctext">Coins for Cars</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-6"><a href="#Twitter"><span class="tocnumber">2.3</span> <span class="toctext">Twitter</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-7"><a href="#Trashing_Twitter.27s_verification_system"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.1</span> <span class="toctext">Trashing Twitter's verification system</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-8"><a href="#Shitposters_vs._advertisers"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.2</span> <span class="toctext">Shitposters vs. advertisers</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-9"><a href="#Musk_vs._Twitter_employees"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.3</span> <span class="toctext">Musk vs. Twitter employees</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-10"><a href="#Content_moderation_dictator"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.4</span> <span class="toctext">Content moderation dictator</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-11"><a href="#Sucking_up_to_authoritarians"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.5</span> <span class="toctext">Sucking up to authoritarians</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-12"><a href="#The_lie_of_free_speech_absolutism"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.6</span> <span class="toctext">The lie of free speech absolutism</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-13"><a href="#The_right-wing_edgelord_troll"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.7</span> <span class="toctext">The right-wing edgelord troll</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-14"><a href="#Climate_change_misinformation.2Fdisinformation"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.8</span> <span class="toctext">Climate change misinformation/disinformation</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-15"><a href="#The_future"><span class="tocnumber">2.3.9</span> <span class="toctext">The future</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-16"><a href="#Mental_health_issues"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Mental health issues</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-17"><a href="#Sociopathy"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Sociopathy</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-18"><a href="#Musk.2C_himself"><span class="tocnumber">4.1</span> <span class="toctext">Musk, himself</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-19"><a href="#Musk.27s_addictive_personality"><span class="tocnumber">4.1.1</span> <span class="toctext">Musk's addictive personality</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-20"><a href="#Companies.2C_by_proxy"><span class="tocnumber">4.2</span> <span class="toctext">Companies, by proxy</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-21"><a href="#Self-serving_philanthropy"><span class="tocnumber">4.3</span> <span class="toctext">Self-serving philanthropy</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-22"><a href="#Elon_and_the_terrible.2C_horrible.2C_no_good.2C_very_bad_Tweets"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Elon and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Tweets</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-23"><a href="#.22Marx_was_a_capitalist.22"><span class="tocnumber">5.1</span> <span class="toctext">"Marx was a capitalist"</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-24"><a href="#Unions"><span class="tocnumber">5.2</span> <span class="toctext">Unions</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-25"><a href="#Boring_boneheads"><span class="tocnumber">5.3</span> <span class="toctext">Boring boneheads</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-26"><a href="#Tesla"><span class="tocnumber">5.4</span> <span class="toctext">Tesla</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-27"><a href="#Bigotry"><span class="tocnumber">5.5</span> <span class="toctext">Bigotry</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-28"><a href="#Transphobia"><span class="tocnumber">5.5.1</span> <span class="toctext">Transphobia</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-29"><a href="#Antisemitism"><span class="tocnumber">5.5.2</span> <span class="toctext">Antisemitism</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-30"><a href="#White_supremacy.2C_fascism.2C_and_racism"><span class="tocnumber">5.5.3</span> <span class="toctext">White supremacy, fascism, and racism</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-31"><a href="#Supporting_far-right_hooligans"><span class="tocnumber">5.5.4</span> <span class="toctext">Supporting far-right hooligans</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-32"><a href="#.22Pedo_guy.22_lawsuit"><span class="tocnumber">5.6</span> <span class="toctext">"Pedo guy" lawsuit</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-33"><a href="#Doxing_federal_employees"><span class="tocnumber">5.7</span> <span class="toctext">Doxing federal employees</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-34"><a href="#Natalism"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">Natalism</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-35"><a href="#Donald_Trump"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> <span class="toctext">Donald Trump</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-36"><a href="#Giving_a_Nazi_salute"><span class="tocnumber">7.1</span> <span class="toctext">Giving a Nazi salute</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-37"><a href="#Backlash_against_Musk_in_Europe"><span class="tocnumber">8</span> <span class="toctext">Backlash against Musk in Europe</span></a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-38"><a href="#Everyone_Hates_Elon"><span class="tocnumber">8.1</span> <span class="toctext">Everyone Hates Elon</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-39"><a href="#People_vs_Elon"><span class="tocnumber">8.2</span> <span class="toctext">People vs Elon</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-40"><a href="#Royal_Society_Rumble"><span class="tocnumber">8.3</span> <span class="toctext">Royal Society Rumble</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-41"><a href="#See_also"><span class="tocnumber">9</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-42"><a href="#External_links"><span class="tocnumber">10</span> <span class="toctext">External links</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-43"><a href="#Notes"><span class="tocnumber">11</span> <span class="toctext">Notes</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-44"><a href="#References"><span class="tocnumber">12</span> <span class="toctext">References</span></a></li> </ul> </div> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Youth_and_skeletons_in_the_family_closet">Youth and skeletons in the family closet</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Youth and skeletons in the family closet">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/f/f6/Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg/165px-Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg" decoding="async" width="165" height="324" class="thumbimage" srcset="/w/images/thumb/f/f6/Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg/248px-Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/f/f6/Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg/330px-Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg 2x" data-file-width="620" data-file-height="1216" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Joshua_N_Haldeman.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Joshua N. Haldeman in 1945 as SCP candidate for the Canadian Parliament</div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Accelerating Starship development to build the Martian Technocracy</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Musk<sup id="cite_ref-83" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-83">[77]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Musk's maternal grandfather, Joshua N. Haldeman (a.k.a., "10450-1",<sup id="cite_ref-85" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-85">[note 7]</a></sup> as per Technocracy's edict<sup id="cite_ref-86" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-86">[79]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-benton_87-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-benton-87">[80]</a></sup>), was a <a href="/wiki/Chiropractor" class="mw-redirect" title="Chiropractor">chiropractor</a>, a member of the <a href="/wiki/Technocracy_movement" title="Technocracy movement">Technocracy movement</a><sup id="cite_ref-88" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-88">[81]</a></sup> and of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Credit_Party_of_Canada" class="extiw" title="wp:Social Credit Party of Canada" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Social Credit Party of Canada">Social Credit Party of Canada</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> (SCP)<sup id="cite_ref-89" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-89">[82]</a></sup> In 1942, Technocracy was described as <a href="/wiki/Propaganda" title="Propaganda">propagandistic</a> and an incipient <a href="/wiki/Fascist" class="mw-redirect" title="Fascist">fascist</a> group.<sup id="cite_ref-90" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-90">[83]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-benton_87-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-benton-87">[80]</a></sup> Technocracy and the SCP held antisemitic conspiracist views, as did Haldeman.<sup id="cite_ref-benton_87-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-benton-87">[80]</a></sup> "An examination of Joshua Haldeman’s writings reveals a radical conspiracy theorist who expressed <a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a>, <a href="/wiki/Antisemitic" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisemitic">antisemitic</a>, and anti-<a href="/wiki/Democratic" class="mw-redirect" title="Democratic">democratic</a> views repeatedly, and over the course of decades…"<sup id="cite_ref-benton_87-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-benton-87">[80]</a></sup> Haldeman moved to apartheid South Africa because he believed that country led "'White Christian Civilization' in its fight against the <a href="/wiki/International_Jewish_Conspiracy" class="mw-redirect" title="International Jewish Conspiracy">'International Conspiracy' of Jewish bankers and the 'hordes of Coloured people' they controlled</a>."<sup id="cite_ref-benton_87-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-benton-87">[80]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's father, Errol Musk (1946–), was an engineer who by his initial account traded an airplane that he owned for half-ownership of three emerald mines in Zambia.<sup id="cite_ref-dewet1_91-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dewet1-91">[84]</a></sup> Errol had admitted that the mines were illegal. In a loter account, Errol claimed that he was only paid in emeralds for the airplane, which began his criminal enterprise of fencing of stolen diamonds and emeralds, as well as smuggling the finished gems overseas:<sup id="cite_ref-isaacson_92-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-isaacson-92">[85]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:13</sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Many people came to me with stolen parcels. On trips overseas I would sell emeralds to jewelers. It was a cloak-and-dagger thing, because none of it was legal.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Errol Musk</cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Elsewhere, Errol described the ill-gotten gains:<sup id="cite_ref-dewet2_93-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dewet2-93">[86]</a></sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>We were very wealthy. We had so much money at times we couldn't even close our safe. [With one person holding the money in place, another other would slam the door.] And then there'd still be all these notes sticking out and we'd sort of pull them out and put them in our pockets.</div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>Errol is also a racist in denial about himself who criticized Elon's mother Maye's entire family as racist. Errol used the '<a href="/wiki/I%27m_not_prejudiced,_but..." title="I'm not prejudiced, but...">I'm not prejudiced, but...</a>' argument to claim that he himself was not racist:<sup id="cite_ref-isaacson_92-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-isaacson-92">[85]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:13</sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span> If you registered it [a mine], you would wind up with nothing, because the Blacks would take everything from you. … I don't have anything against the Blacks, but they are just different from what I am.</div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>Elon was born wealthy, as are so many billionaires. Musk lived a lavish lifestyle in his youth because of this. To avoid a mandatory stint in the <a href="/wiki/South_Africa" title="South Africa">South African</a> military, which would have required him to uphold the <a href="/wiki/Apartheid" title="Apartheid">apartheid</a> regime that he has at times claimed that he despised and other times not mentioned it as a rationale for leaving South Africa.<sup id="cite_ref-94" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-94">[87]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:43</sup> He left South Africa to attend college in <a href="/wiki/Canada" title="Canada">Canada</a> and the <a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a>, while certainly a display of <a href="/wiki/Privilege" title="Privilege">privilege</a>, it was also a very real move to avoid upholding <a href="/wiki/White_supremacy" title="White supremacy">white supremacy</a> at the point of a gun but not at the point of a Krugerrand.<sup id="cite_ref-dewet1_91-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dewet1-91">[84]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-dewet2_93-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dewet2-93">[86]</a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Business_ventures">Business ventures</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Business ventures">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:302px;"><a href="/wiki/File:SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_(More_cropped).jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg/300px-SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="300" height="200" class="thumbimage" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg/450px-SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg/600px-SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_%28More_cropped%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4232" data-file-height="2821" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:SpaceX_Crew_Dragon_(More_cropped).jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Rendering of the SpaceX Dragon 2 reusable space capsule. The Dragon 2 comes in two variants, one for human spaceflight and the other for cargo.</div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Knowing what I know about the man, my conclusion is that it’s incredible that such a mediocre figure can amass such wealth, but it was ever thus.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Darryl Cunningham, a Musk biographer<sup id="cite_ref-barnett_95-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-barnett-95">[88]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <ul><li>Zip2: started in 1995 (apparently "with investments from <a href="/wiki/New_York_Times" class="mw-redirect" title="New York Times">The New York Times Company</a>, Knight-Ridder, MDV, Softbank and the Hearst Corporation"), a company that produced city guides for newspapers, sold in 1999 to Compaq for $307 million.<sup id="cite_ref-96" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-96">[89]</a></sup></li> <li>PayPal: long story short - in 1999 Musk (using his Zip2 cash) and a few other men founded X.com, an online bank, which subsequently merged with its competitor Confinity in March of 2000. Confinity had already developed an early version of PayPal and released it in 1999. Musk was able to become CEO of the newly merged company but because the board found him to be a total shitgibbon<sup id="cite_ref-97" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-97">[note 8]</a></sup> they fired him in October 2000 while he was flying to Australia for his honeymoon; he was replaced by <a href="/wiki/Peter_Thiel" title="Peter Thiel">Peter Thiel</a>. In subsequent litigation over his firing, he was able to negotiate that he be listed as one of the founders of PayPal (which is what Confinity was renamed in 2001), despite that, as noted, he didn't find himself listed as an official founder. Additionally, because he kept his stock holdings (about 11% of the total, making him the largest shareholder), when eBay bought PayPal in 2002, he made about $180 million in the deal.</li> <li>SpaceX: started in 2002, a company that researches, develops, and manufactures spacecraft and (reusable) launch rockets,<sup id="cite_ref-98" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-98">[note 9]</a></sup> including development of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy" class="extiw" title="wp:Falcon Heavy" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Falcon Heavy">the most powerful launch vehicle currently in use</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and testing it by putting an <a href="/wiki/Advertisement" class="mw-redirect" title="Advertisement">advertisement</a> in Earth orbit (a Tesla).<sup id="cite_ref-99" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-99">[note 10]</a></sup> The above-mentioned Peter Thiel (who is said to have a "love-hate relationship" with Musk) was "instrumental in SpaceX's success", investing some $20 million into it via his Founders Fund in 2008, when the company was "on the rocks".<sup id="cite_ref-100" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-100">[90]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-101" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-101">[91]</a></sup> Alongside Boeing, SpaceX enables <a href="/wiki/NASA" title="NASA">NASA</a> to send American astronauts into space on American rockets, from American soil, for the first time since the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011<sup id="cite_ref-102" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-102">[92]</a></sup> and is also developing the most powerful space rocket yet, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship" class="extiw" title="wp:SpaceX Starship" rel="nofollow">the Starship rocket</a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> In 2023, SpaceX made a "successful" launch of the Starship rocket the resulted in what SpaceX called a "rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation" and destruction of the launchpad — oops!<sup id="cite_ref-103" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-103">[93]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-104" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-104">[94]</a></sup> The subsequent launch was also deemed a 'success' by SpaceX<sup id="cite_ref-105" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-105">[95]</a></sup> and finally the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_flight_test_5" class="extiw" title="wp:Starship flight test 5" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Starship_flight_test_5">fifth test launch</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> in 2024 saw the recovery of the Super Heavy booster, that landed in the launch tower.</li> <li>Tesla Motors: founded in 2003 by <s>Musk</s><sup id="cite_ref-106" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-106">[96]</a></sup> Martin Eberhard (who was shoved out by Musk)<sup id="cite_ref-107" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-107">[97]</a></sup> a company that designs and manufactures semi-automated electric cars.</li> <li>SolarCity: started in 2006, a company that manufactures and installs rooftop solar panels. Acquired by Tesla in 2016; its successor is Tesla Energy.</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hyperloop" title="Hyperloop">Hyperloop</a>, announced in 2013, an idiotic and impossible rapid transit method that is basically a Maglev train inside a vacuum tube. Musk wants this to compete with conventional <a href="/wiki/High-speed_rail" title="High-speed rail">high-speed rail</a>.</li> <li>OpenAI: started in 2015, a nonprofit intended to generate a general artificial intelligence (and avoid <a href="/wiki/Roko%27s_Basilisk" class="mw-redirect" title="Roko's Basilisk">Roko's Basilisk</a>). He left OpenAI in 2018.<sup id="cite_ref-108" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-108">[98]</a></sup></li> <li>Neuralink: started in 2016, a company intended to produce software and devices that can interface with the human brain. As of 2022, Neuralink is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.<sup id="cite_ref-levy_109-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-levy-109">[99]</a></sup> Musk has advocated both bad management practices (by telling employees to work faster by imagining a bomb strapped to their heads), and bad science practices (employees have alleged that "Neuralink launches tests in quick succession before fixing issues in earlier tests or drawing complete conclusions.")<sup id="cite_ref-levy_109-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-levy-109">[99]</a></sup></li> <li>Thud: started in 2018, a company intended to produce comedic/<a href="/wiki/Satire" title="Satire">satirical</a> articles similar to <a href="/wiki/The_Onion" title="The Onion">The Onion</a>, which Musk had attempted to purchase after it wrote satirical articles about him. After Musk pulled the rug out after 6 months, Thud made a muffled sound on the ground and did not come back up.<sup id="cite_ref-110" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-110">[100]</a></sup></li> <li>pravduh.com: started in 2018, a website intended to let people vote on the reliability of media sources, created after Musk received much negative media coverage in the same year.<sup id="cite_ref-111" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-111">[101]</a></sup> This turned out to be a minor temper tantrum, as there's no evidence the site ever had any content.<sup id="cite_ref-112" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-112">[102]</a></sup> Not to be confused with <a href="/wiki/Pravda.ru" title="Pravda.ru">Pravda.ru</a>, which actually has content of the <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bovine fecal</a> variety.</li></ul> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="The_Boring_Company:_Burn_it_all_down">The Boring Company: Burn it all down</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: The Boring Company: Burn it all down">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:252px;"><a href="/wiki/File:The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg" class="image"><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg/250px-The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="250" height="111" class="thumbimage" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg/375px-The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg/500px-The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="250" data-file-height="111" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:The_Boring_Company_Logo.svg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Yawn!</div></div></div> <p>The Boring Company (TBC), started in 2016, a company intended to reduce the cost of boring tunnels. This could come in handy if the Hyperloop manages to defy reality itself. In 2018, it was awarded a contract to provide an express train service from the O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago, scheduled to open in 2021.<sup id="cite_ref-113" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-113">[103]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-114" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-114">[note 11]</a></sup> By September of the same year, however, nothing has been done, and the future of the project remains in doubt.<sup id="cite_ref-115" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-115">[104]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-117" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-117">[note 12]</a></sup> So far, the Boring Company is not very exciting. </p><p>As of 2023, 5 TBC projects were cancelled or moribund (Baltimore-<a href="/wiki/District_of_Columbia" class="mw-redirect" title="District of Columbia">Washington</a> Loop, <a href="/wiki/Chicago" class="mw-redirect" title="Chicago">Chicago</a>, <a href="/wiki/Illinois" class="mw-redirect" title="Illinois">Illinois</a>, Los Angeles and San Jose, <a href="/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a>, and Sydney area, <a href="/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australia</a>). Only one short demonstration tunnel had been completed (Las Vegas, <a href="/wiki/Nevada" class="mw-redirect" title="Nevada">Nevada</a>). It almost immediately ran into issues as its Tesla vehicles encountered traffic jams—almost as if <a href="/wiki/Automobile" title="Automobile">cars</a> are not the solution to traffic.<sup id="cite_ref-118" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-118">[106]</a></sup> </p><p>In 2018, attempting to make Boring exciting again, Boring began manufacturing flamethrowers, selling 20,000 flamethrowers by subscription. At the time, California was experiencing its worst wildfire season up to that point, so Musk was seriously pissing off government officials and private citizens.<sup id="cite_ref-gibbs_119-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gibbs-119">[107]</a></sup> Both UK and California government officials warned Musk that it was generally illegal to own flamethrowers in both jurisdictions.<sup id="cite_ref-gibbs_119-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gibbs-119">[107]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Tesla_Motors">Tesla Motors</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Tesla Motors">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:TeslaLogo.png" class="image"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/f/ff/TeslaLogo.png/165px-TeslaLogo.png" decoding="async" width="165" height="93" class="thumbimage" srcset="/w/images/thumb/f/ff/TeslaLogo.png/248px-TeslaLogo.png 1.5x, /w/images/f/ff/TeslaLogo.png 2x" data-file-width="299" data-file-height="168" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:TeslaLogo.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Either the logo of the most valuable car manufacturer in history or the drawing of a uterus</div></div></div> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_(28773524958).jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg/165px-Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="165" height="93" class="thumbimage" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg/248px-Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg/330px-Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_%2828773524958%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1907" data-file-height="1074" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Mtn_view_tesla_scene_graphic_(28773524958).jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Advanced driver assistance features</div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Elon seems like one of the classic comedic showmen. Everything he does is a comedic bit. He’s always trying to get a laugh, that’s why he makes all his cars suicidal. Just watching everything burn, it’s entertaining, that’s for sure.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—@dril<sup id="cite_ref-120" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-120">[108]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>If the manufacturer isn’t going to take safety seriously, it is up to the federal government to make sure that they are standing up for others to ensure safety, safety does not seem to be the priority when it comes to Tesla.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) explaining why Musk hates regulations<sup id="cite_ref-121" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-121">[109]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p><b>Tesla Motors</b> is a car company figure-headed by Elon Musk. It is famous for being the only company with a commercially available car floating in space. It makes "eco-friendly" electric cars, which made the news for catching fire with toxic smoke and hard-to-extinguish flames.<sup id="cite_ref-122" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-122">[110]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-123" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-123">[111]</a></sup> As it turns out though, while Teslas caught fire, they did so at a <i>much</i> lower rate than the cars relying on tiny controlled explosions of extremely flammable hydrocarbons.<sup id="cite_ref-124" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-124">[112]</a></sup> However, putting out lithium battery fires is <i>far</i> more difficult than putting out internal combustion car fires, sometimes requiring over 20,000 gallons of water.<sup id="cite_ref-125" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-125">[113]</a></sup> Tesla also makes cars that can drive themselves, but they seem to have a habit of crashing while doing so.<sup id="cite_ref-126" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-126">[114]</a></sup> </p><p>Following the introduction of the "Autopilot" (advanced driver assistance) feature on Teslas in June 2022, there have been 17 fatalities, 736 crashes involving Teslas with the feature enabled.<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui_127-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui-127">[115]</a></sup> This number of Tesla crashes is far more than all other vehicles with driver assistance combined.<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui_127-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui-127">[115]</a></sup> National Highway Traffic Safety Administration senior safety adviser Missy Cummings has said that the number of fatalities per crash for Teslas has also been a concern.<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui_127-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui-127">[115]</a></sup> Musk's "decisions — such as widely expanding the availability of the features and stripping the vehicles of radar sensors — appear to have contributed to the reported uptick in incidents".<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui_127-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui-127">[115]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Coins_for_Cars">Coins for Cars</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Coins for Cars">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>In late 2020, Tesla hinted that they would begin accepting Bitcoin for cars, which sent the already overpriced Bitcoin even higher. In early 2021, Tesla bought $1.5 billion in Bitcoin,<sup id="cite_ref-128" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-128">[116]</a></sup> and then in March made the actual announcement they'd sell cars in Bitcoin. Bitcoin skyrocketed even further, making Tesla's Bitcoins even more valuable. Then Tesla began selling off their Bitcoins,<sup id="cite_ref-129" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-129">[117]</a></sup> whereas Musk loudly insists didn't happen,<sup id="cite_ref-130" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-130">[118]</a></sup> just before refusing to accept Bitcoin for their cars in May 2021.<sup id="cite_ref-131" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-131">[119]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-132" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-132">[120]</a></sup> Strategic business misstep or pump-and-dump scheme? You decide. </p><p>But there's another explanation that doesn't involve insider trading or market manipulation. During those two months, numerous problems with Bitcoin purchases became apparent, at least for the consumer. To purchase a Tesla, you have to place a deposit of $2500 or equivalent value in Bitcoin. If you cancelled before the car was made you got a refund, but if the deposit was made in Bitcoin, Tesla got to choose whether to pay you Bitcoins or cash. I.e., if Bitcoin went down, you got Bitcoin, but if it went up, you got cash. The US also has "lemon laws" for defective cars, colloquially known as "lemons", where you can be compensated if the manufacturer gives you a lemon. But if you paid for your car in Bitcoin, you guessed it, Tesla could compensate you in whichever currency was worth less.<sup id="cite_ref-133" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-133">[121]</a></sup> Purchasing itself was a hassle; when given a quote, you had 30 minutes to complete the purchase or you would have to get a new quote.<sup id="cite_ref-134" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-134">[122]</a></sup> This was needed because of Bitcoin's notoriously volatile price, as otherwise the purchaser could change their mind as Bitcoin fluctuated. Most charitably, this whole debacle was such a miserable experience for everyone involved, and not the image that Musk wants for Tesla. </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Twitter">Twitter</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Twitter">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion on October 28, 2022,<sup id="cite_ref-135" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-135">[123]</a></sup> after first engaging in the deal, then backing out, then going to court, and then reversing course and forking over the cash. It might be an elaborate ploy to make money out of Twitter (somehow) or serve other interests, but even as a libertarian it is hard to believe he cares about 'anything goes' <a href="/wiki/Free_speech" class="mw-redirect" title="Free speech">free speech</a>. In any case the whole process has been fraught with his typical attention seeking derp behaviour, highly manipulative tactics, and weird and douchey tweets/comments including personal attacks on well known figures. He claims there will still be moderation, so we're not sure what that means for "protecting free speech". Predictably, his adoring fans have eaten up everything he has done so far, praising every move he has made as "genius" and believing that Musk actually cares about anyone but himself. </p><p>As for how the site is post-acquisition, it's gone about as well as you'd expect.<sup id="cite_ref-136" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-136">[124]</a></sup> In a short time, he's fired the CEO, CFO and CLO,<sup id="cite_ref-137" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-137">[125]</a></sup> and <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/2467456-elon-musks-twitter-acquisition">this</a> happened. Not great, to say the least. </p> <h4><span id="Trashing_Twitter's_verification_system"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Trashing_Twitter.27s_verification_system">Trashing Twitter's verification system</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Trashing Twitter's verification system">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Shortly after the acquisition, Musk used his genius skills to roll out a plan to supposedly shore up Twitter's revenue, by allowing <i>anyone</i> to get a "verified" check mark simply by paying $8 a month. Previously, this check mark was only available to public personalities in order to help distinguish Twitter accounts actually run by a public person, instead of being one of the many parody and troll accounts that run rampant on that social network.<sup id="cite_ref-138" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-138">[126]</a></sup> Predictably, by changing the requirements to only a small cash payment, this allowed for trolls to easily create fake "official" Twitter accounts for shitposting... such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo" class="extiw" title="wp:Nintendo" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Nintendo">"Official" Nintendo</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> tweeting a picture of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario" class="extiw" title="wp:Mario" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Mario">Mario</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> giving the middle finger, "official" professional sports players "announcing" fake trades, and "official" accounts of <a href="/wiki/Tony_Blair" title="Tony Blair">Tony Blair</a> and <a href="/wiki/George_W._Bush" title="George W. Bush">George W. Bush</a> musing on how they "miss killing Iraqis".<sup id="cite_ref-139" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-139">[127]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-140" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-140">[128]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-141" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-141">[129]</a></sup> Unsurprisingly, some of those impersonating celebrities went beyond shitposting to promote <a href="/wiki/Cryptocurrency" class="mw-redirect" title="Cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</a> scams.<sup id="cite_ref-timeimpersonators_142-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-timeimpersonators-142">[130]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk, who previously tweeted that "comedy is now legal on Twitter" after purchasing the company (in reference to—before he bought the company—the <a href="/wiki/Babylon_Bee" class="mw-redirect" title="Babylon Bee">Babylon Bee</a> getting suspended from Twitter for <a href="/wiki/Transphobia" title="Transphobia">transphobia</a>),<sup id="cite_ref-143" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-143">[131]</a></sup> used his "free speech absolutist" principles to permaban the impersonation accounts off the platform.<sup id="cite_ref-144" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-144">[132]</a></sup> Consequently, an especially popular permaban speedrun during this period, particularly among comedians and Internet personalities, was for people with already verified accounts to rename themselves as Elon Musk and start trolling the "Chief Twit".<sup id="cite_ref-timeimpersonators_142-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-timeimpersonators-142">[130]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-145" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-145">[133]</a></sup> </p><p>In late March 2023, Musk once again announced that beginning April 1 2023, Twitter will start removing "legacy verified checkmarks" in favor of a system where users and organizations pay for "verified" checkmarks ($8-$11 a month for users and $12,000 a year for organizations), though purportedly there was exemptions for the top 10,000 organizations by follower count. Predictably, most people balked, feeling that there was no value in a system where "verified" only means that one has given Musk money.<sup id="cite_ref-146" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-146">[134]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-147" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-147">[135]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-148" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-148">[136]</a></sup> As April 1st passed, it was clear that whether or not the check was removed was haphazard and entirely on Musk's whims; while many people's verified check marks stayed, in a sign of his continued hostility to American media (and his tendency to break promises), the one notable verified checkmark he took away was from the Twitter account of the <a href="/wiki/New_York_Times" class="mw-redirect" title="New York Times">New York Times</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-149" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-149">[137]</a></sup> </p><p>Evidently, the checkmark purge had been set back about three weeks. On April 20, 2023, the remaining nonpaying verified users began losing their checkmarks... for the most part.<sup id="cite_ref-FriedFish_150-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FriedFish-150">[138]</a></sup> Things went just swell after that. Imposter accounts immediately flooded the site, including imposters for government agencies who immediately began shitposting misinformation.<sup id="cite_ref-151" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-151">[139]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-152" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-152">[140]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-153" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-153">[141]</a></sup> <a href="/wiki/IRS" class="mw-redirect" title="IRS">IRS</a> accounts lost verification, opening the door to potential <a href="/wiki/Scam" class="mw-redirect" title="Scam">scams</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-154" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-154">[142]</a></sup> The attempt to monetize legacy verified users didn't work very well. Twitter only saw a net increase of 28 paid subscriptions among them in the first day (or about 400, according to a separate claim).<sup id="cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AMere28Independent-155">[143]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-156" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-156">[144]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-157" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-157">[145]</a></sup> Two days in, the net signups had risen to about 700 (about $5,600 in profit).<sup id="cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AMere28Independent-155">[143]</a></sup> That's out of around 300,000 legacy verified users.<sup id="cite_ref-158" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-158">[146]</a></sup> Some of those new subscriptions (at least three) were personally paid for by Musk himself.<sup id="cite_ref-FriedFish_150-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FriedFish-150">[138]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AMere28Independent-155">[143]</a></sup> Bizarrely (considering Twitter's trouble with advertisers), Musk also started demanding that any business not spending $1000 a month on Twitter needed to subscribe in order to run advertisements on the platform.<sup id="cite_ref-159" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-159">[147]</a></sup> Let us know how that ultimatum works out for you. </p><p>In fact, several prominent Twitter users responded to Musk's move by announcing that they intended to block every single Twitter Blue subscriber, due to a perceived low quality content and higher prevalence of <a href="/wiki/Trolls" class="mw-redirect" title="Trolls">trolls</a>, <a href="/wiki/Cryptocurrency" class="mw-redirect" title="Cryptocurrency">crypto</a>-bros, Musk sycophants, and scammers in that group.<sup id="cite_ref-160" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-160">[148]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-161" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-161">[149]</a></sup> Musk managed to turn Twitter verification into a "digital dunce cap", as one <i>Forbes</i> writer put it, adding: "It's honestly shocking to see the blue checkmark become so hated so quickly. There may not be anything like it in the relatively short history of social media." But Musk wasn't finished. He retaliated with seemingly-mandatory verification for his detractors. For one case — <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dril" class="extiw" title="wp:dril" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: dril">dril</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> (a popular shitposting account) — Twitter repeatedly added the checkmark, and dril repeatedly removed it.<sup id="cite_ref-162" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-162">[150]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-163" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-163">[151]</a></sup> So apparently "spite checkmarks" are a thing now.<sup id="cite_ref-164" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-164">[152]</a></sup> Ultimately, Twitter provided "complimentary" paid verification to anyone with over a million followers. Including dead people.<sup id="cite_ref-165" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-165">[153]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-166" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-166">[154]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-167" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-167">[155]</a></sup> <a href="/wiki/John_McCain" title="John McCain">John McCain</a> will be happy to hear from beyond the grave that he remains verified on Twitter. </p><p>What makes this particularly hilarious is that the verification system arose out of a legal dispute circa Twitter's inception, where the company agreed that they are liable for any damages caused by impersonation. In June 2009, MLB manager Tony La Russa sued Twitter over a parody account impersonating him. That account mocked the then-manager of the St. Louis Cardinals with tweets like: “Lost 2 out of 3, but we made it out of Chicago without one drunk driving incident or dead pitcher.” <sup id="cite_ref-168" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-168">[156]</a></sup> While the lawsuit was settled out of court, it nevertheless was the catalyst that caused Twitter to roll out the Verified Accounts feature as it was originally implemented for more than a decade. </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Shitposters_vs._advertisers">Shitposters vs. advertisers</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Shitposters vs. advertisers">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Go fuck yourself. Go. Fuck. Yourself. Is that clear?</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Elon Musk's message to advertisers in late November 2023, after yet even more advertisers paused Twitter ads over a Musk <a href="/wiki/Antisemitic" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisemitic">antisemitic</a> tweet.<sup id="cite_ref-169" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-169">[157]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Two days after the acquisition, <a href="/wiki/Hillary_Clinton" title="Hillary Clinton">Hillary Clinton</a> tweeted a condemnation of a recent assault of <a href="/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi" title="Nancy Pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>'s husband. As the alleged suspect was reportedly fueled by conspiracy theories and misinformation, Clinton also accused the "Republican Party and its mouthpieces" of regularly spreading "hate and deranged conspiracy theories", linked the assault to the misinformation, and demanded accountability. Musk responded back with a tweet containing a "news article"... an article that happened to be a completely deranged, hateful conspiracy theory about Pelosi's husband from a well known <a href="/wiki/Fake_news" title="Fake news">fake news</a> site,<sup id="cite_ref-170" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-170">[158]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-HillPelosiConspiracyTheory_171-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-HillPelosiConspiracyTheory-171">[159]</a></sup> essentially proving Clinton's point. According to his biography by Walter Isaacson, Musk was ridiculed for the exchange by his brother and privately regretted it.<sup id="cite_ref-172" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-172">[160]</a></sup> In January 2023, he apologized for it.<sup id="cite_ref-173" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-173">[161]</a></sup> </p><p>Although a re-evaluation of contracts is not unusual whenever leadership changes, Musk's buyout caused quite a bit more concerns than you typically see during an acquisition. Before the buyout, Musk had built up a following among the generally right-wing "shitpost" crowd due to Musk's "free speech absolutist" philosophy and, starting in the early 2020s, increasing amounts of tweets dabbling with fringe right-wing memes, including a tweet with the "<a href="/wiki/Red_pill" title="Red pill">red pill</a>" meme and the use of "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a>" as a <a href="/wiki/Snarl_word" class="mw-redirect" title="Snarl word">snarl word</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-174" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-174">[162]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-175" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-175">[163]</a></sup> Some of these shitposters (some who have had their accounts suspended on Twitter and elsewhere for things like <a href="/wiki/Transphobia" title="Transphobia">transphobia</a>, <a href="/wiki/COVID-19" class="mw-redirect" title="COVID-19">COVID-19</a> misinformation, the <a href="/wiki/Big_Lie" class="mw-redirect" title="Big Lie">Big Lie</a> of <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a> and <a href="/wiki/Homophobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Homophobic">homophobic</a> slurs) therefore cheered when Musk bought Twitter.<sup id="cite_ref-176" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-176">[164]</a></sup> </p><p>Advertisers, however, make up 90% of Twitter's revenue, and advertisers have long considered "brand safety" to be of utmost importance. Many companies do not want to see their advertisements placed next to any inappropriate content, which includes fake news, extremism, and hate.<sup id="cite_ref-177" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-177">[165]</a></sup> When even the "Chief Twit" CEO is tweeting out hateful misinformation from a fake news site, it is no surprise that many advertisers paused their spending on Twitter shortly after the buyout in order to evaluate what direction Musk will take with Twitter's content moderation policy.<sup id="cite_ref-178" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-178">[166]</a></sup> In 2024, a global survey revealed that over a quarter of advertisers plan to decrease their spending on the platform over the next year, citing extreme content and the risk to their brands.<sup id="cite_ref-179" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-179">[167]</a></sup> </p><p>The fake-verified-blue-check debacle added the concerns of advertisers, as trolls not only impersonated celebrities, they also impersonated corporations. Probably the most notable corporate impersonation was a fake "official" account created to impersonate <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Lilly_and_Company" class="extiw" title="wp:Eli Lilly and Company" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Eli Lilly and Company">Eli Lilly</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>, which made a shitpost tweet on November 10 2022 that declared that "insulin is free now". Of further concern to companies was Twitter's slow response time to complaints that demanded that these fake accounts be taken down, largely because of Musk's massive headcount reduction in Twitter's communications department. This further pissed off advertisers, causing more of them to pause advertising due to concerns over "brand safety".<sup id="cite_ref-180" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-180">[168]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-181" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-181">[169]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's initial reaction to the advertiser pause, of course, was to deflect. First, he blamed "activists" for the revenue drop (claiming "they're trying to destroy <a href="/wiki/Free_speech" class="mw-redirect" title="Free speech">free speech</a> in America"),<sup id="cite_ref-182" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-182">[170]</a></sup> and then he threatened to "thermonuclear name & shame" advertisers who were "boycotting".<sup id="cite_ref-183" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-183">[171]</a></sup> Then he used his "free speech" principles to block a prominent marketing executive<sup id="cite_ref-185" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-185">[note 13]</a></sup> who questioned how brand safety can be maintained when Musk "just laid off 75% of the moderation team."<sup id="cite_ref-186" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-186">[173]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk, however, equally pissed off the shitposters by insisting that "Twitter will continue to combat hate & harassment & enforce its election integrity policies" and actually agreeing to talk with civil rights leaders.<sup id="cite_ref-187" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-187">[174]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-189" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-189">[note 14]</a></sup> Pissing off the shitposters further, Musk also defended and stood by Twitter's head of safety and integrity Yoel Roth,<sup id="cite_ref-190" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-190">[176]</a></sup> who was a previous target of the <a href="/wiki/MAGA" class="mw-redirect" title="MAGA">MAGA</a> crowd when fact-checking labels started to be added to <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>'s tweets, and old tweets made from Roth resurfaced that called Trump a "<a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a> tangerine".<sup id="cite_ref-191" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-191">[177]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Musk_vs._Twitter_employees">Musk vs. Twitter employees</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Musk vs. Twitter employees">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Musk, however, wasn't done pissing people off: the next step he undertook was to try to piss off Twitter's employees. On November 10 2022, Musk sent his first email to all Twitter employees as CEO. In the email, Musk warned that the "road ahead is arduous and will require intense work to succeed" and painted a bleak picture of Twitter's future. In the process, he nixed Twitter's previous generous work-from-home policy instituted during the <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic" title="COVID-19 pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-192" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-192">[178]</a></sup> (Of course, the letter failed to mention that a significant portion of Twitter's financial woes at the time were Musk-inflicted damage, caused by Musk massively overpaying for Twitter and adding $13 billion in corporate debt, meaning Twitter was on the hook to pay $1 billion in interest payments annually.)<sup id="cite_ref-193" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-193">[179]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-nytimestwitecon_194-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-nytimestwitecon-194">[180]</a></sup> </p><p>Multiple Twitter executives (including the aforementioned Roth) that made it past Musk's initial firings expressed confidence in the genius of Musk's plans by handing in their resignation papers that week.<sup id="cite_ref-nytimestwitecon_194-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-nytimestwitecon-194">[180]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-195" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-195">[181]</a></sup> Later that week, Musk fired multiple employees for the cardinal sin of responding to Musk's super-genius public tweets explaining how, when it came to his tweets about the technical details of Twitter, Musk had absolutely no clue what he was talking about. <sup id="cite_ref-196" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-196">[182]</a></sup> </p><p>The next week, on Wednesday November 16, Musk sent a mass email ultimatum to all employees, declaring that Twitter was shifting to an "engineer-driven operation" of whom the employees "will need to be extremely hardcore" going forward, "working long hours at high intensity". Within that email was a button asking them to commit to Musk's "hardcore" vision. Those that disagreed with Musk's genius visionary management style (e.g., seemingly a "slave-driving" <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/karoshi" class="extiw" title="wp:karoshi" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: karoshi">karoshi</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>-style work environment where one must also be an ass-kissing yes-man to Musk) could resign from Twitter at 5PM on Thursday November 17, with three months severance pay.<sup id="cite_ref-197" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-197">[183]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-198" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-198">[184]</a></sup> Twitter stalled and short-changed severance payments for many who took the option, later the subject of a class-action lawsuit.<sup id="cite_ref-199" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-199">[185]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-200" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-200">[186]</a></sup> </p><p>The result was predictable, given Musk's callous and disrespectful attitude towards his employees: a reported mass exodus, to the point where Twitter had to shut its doors on Friday November 18 in order to protect its systems and data.<sup id="cite_ref-cnnexodus_201-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnexodus-201">[187]</a></sup> Initial reports estimated the exodus to include at least 1200 full-time employees,<sup id="cite_ref-202" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-202">[note 15]</a></sup> including 96% of the "services" team and several entire departments.<sup id="cite_ref-203" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-203">[188]</a></sup> The team dedicated to countering <a href="/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse" title="Child sexual abuse">child sexual abuse</a> on the platform was cut in half, leaving behind an "overwhelmed skeleton crew".<sup id="cite_ref-204" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-204">[189]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-205" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-205">[190]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-206" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-206">[191]</a></sup> One former Twitter executive commented that with so many employees leaving, Twitter "will struggle just to keep the lights on".<sup id="cite_ref-cnnexodus_201-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnexodus-201">[187]</a></sup> "#RIPTwitter" became the #1 trending topic on US Twitter in reaction to this news.<sup id="cite_ref-207" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-207">[192]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-208" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-208">[193]</a></sup> </p><p>On December 13 2022, reports emerged that Twitter was not paying any rent for the offices Musk was requiring employees to work from, and was discussing denying severance payments to the thousands of people who had been laid off since the takeover.<sup id="cite_ref-209" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-209">[194]</a></sup> Twitter was later sued by its landlord for allegedly failing to pay its rent.<sup id="cite_ref-210" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-210">[195]</a></sup> Twitter employees were evicted from the company's office in Singapore — noted as its headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region — for unpaid rents as well. Reportedly, this fate was set to hit about a dozen Twitter offices for the same reason.<sup id="cite_ref-211" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-211">[196]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-212" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-212">[197]</a></sup> Around the same time, the company began auctioning off supplies from its offices such as coffee machines, chairs, statues, and sculptures.<sup id="cite_ref-213" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-213">[198]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-214" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-214">[199]</a></sup> </p><p>In early February 2023, around the time a major global outage occurred on the platform,<sup id="cite_ref-216" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-216">[note 16]</a></sup> Twitter also managed to piss off developers of third party clients, maintainers of non-nefarious bots, celebrities that use tools for social media management, social media researchers, and more by announcing that third party access to the Twitter API that made this third party ecosystem possible would no longer be free for <i>anyone.</i><sup id="cite_ref-217" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-217">[201]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-218" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-218">[202]</a></sup> Meanwhile, in a sign of Musk's continuing <a href="/wiki/Egotheism" title="Egotheism">god complex</a>, a report emerged around that time that Musk fired an engineer simply for suggesting that his declining engagement numbers on the platform were simply because public interest in his shitshow was waning.<sup id="cite_ref-platformerfired_215-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-platformerfired-215">[200]</a></sup> This revelation also resulted in Musk ordering a change to Twitter's "ranked timeline" that ensured that Musk's tweets were heavily promoted, whether you liked it or not.<sup id="cite_ref-219" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-219">[203]</a></sup> </p><p>The company shed more employees in February 2023, leaving Twitter with a little less than 2,000 employees (down from around 7,500 in October 2022).<sup id="cite_ref-220" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-220">[204]</a></sup> In the same month, according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netblocks" class="extiw" title="wp:Netblocks" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Netblocks">Netblocks</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> Twitter had four outages; in addition, researchers and users were noticing more bugs popping up that affected Twitter's usability. On March 6th, yet another major site-wide outage was reported. (According to Netblocks, Twitter only had nine outages in the entire year of 2022).<sup id="cite_ref-221" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-221">[205]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-222" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-222">[206]</a></sup> </p><p>On March 7 2023, Musk received widespread criticism for bullying and mocking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haraldur_Ingi_%C3%9Eorleifsson" class="extiw" title="wp:Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson">Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> an entrepreneur who founded a prominent web design company called <i>Ueno</i> whose company Twitter acquired in 2021.<sup id="cite_ref-223" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-223">[207]</a></sup> Þorleifsson was also disabled and a wheelchair user, having <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/muscular_dystrophy" class="extiw" title="wp:muscular dystrophy" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: muscular dystrophy">muscular dystrophy</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> Reportedly Þorleifsson was fired from Twitter during the February layoffs, but received no email confirmations about the termination (merely noticing that he was locked out of his Twitter account). So he appealed to Musk directly on Twitter to determine whether he had been sacked. Musk callously responded with multiple tweets with shitpost memes as well as claims that "this guy (who is independently wealthy) did no actual work", along with a questioning of Þorleifsson's disability, calling it an "excuse". (Surprisingly, Musk issued a rare apology for the extremely unprofessional, possibly litigable behavior a few hours afterwards.)<sup id="cite_ref-224" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-224">[208]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-225" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-225">[209]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Content_moderation_dictator">Content moderation dictator</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Content moderation dictator">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Please be super vocal if there is something dumb I'm doing or not doing. That would be greatly appreciated.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Elon Musk to Jack Dorsey in April 2022 regarding Twitter acquisition<sup id="cite_ref-226" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-226">[210]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:13</sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>All of the pandering to advertisers about content moderation (including a previous assertion in early November that Musk would not make major decisions about restoring banned accounts before setting up a "content moderation council" with diverse viewpoints)<sup id="cite_ref-227" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-227">[211]</a></sup> ended up being a bunch of <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a>. By November 19 2022, Musk's Twitter had reinstated several accounts previously banned for hate, harassment, and election conspiracy bullshit. These names included <a href="/wiki/Manosphere" title="Manosphere">manosphere</a> grifter <a href="/wiki/Andrew_Tate" title="Andrew Tate">Andrew Tate</a> (suspended in 2017 for advocating that women should "<a href="/wiki/Blaming_the_victim" title="Blaming the victim">bare [sic] some responsibility</a>" for being sexually assaulted), <a href="/wiki/Jordan_Peterson" title="Jordan Peterson">Jordan Peterson</a> (suspended for <a href="/wiki/Transphobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transphobic">transphobic</a> tweets about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Page" class="extiw" title="wp:Elliot Page" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Elliot Page">Elliot Page</span></a>),<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> <a href="/wiki/Babylon_Bee" class="mw-redirect" title="Babylon Bee">Babylon Bee</a> (suspended for <a href="/wiki/Transphobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transphobic">transphobic</a> tweets about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Levine" class="extiw" title="wp:Rachel Levine" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Rachel Levine">Rachel Levine</span></a>),<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a> (banned for <a href="/wiki/2021_U.S._coup_attempt" title="2021 U.S. coup attempt">inciting violence</a> in early 2021, and still promoting the <a href="/wiki/Big_Lie" class="mw-redirect" title="Big Lie">Big Lie</a> 2020 election conspiracy at the time of his reinstatement).<sup id="cite_ref-228" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-228">[212]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-229" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-229">[213]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-230" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-230">[214]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk, however, was also still pissing off some shitposters at that time due to announcing what effectively was a shadowban system ("Negative/hate tweets will be max deboosted & demonetized") on November 18, and refusing to reinstate <a href="/wiki/Alex_Jones" title="Alex Jones">Alex Jones</a>'s Twitter account.<sup id="cite_ref-231" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-231">[215]</a></sup> </p><p>On November 29 2022, Twitter announced that it would no longer enforce its policy against misleading information about <a href="/wiki/COVID-19" class="mw-redirect" title="COVID-19">COVID-19</a>, potentially opening up the platform further to scam artists and grifters pushing <a href="/wiki/Anti-vaccination" class="mw-redirect" title="Anti-vaccination">anti-vaccination</a> or potentially dangerous <a href="/wiki/Alternative_medicine" title="Alternative medicine">alternative medicine</a> woo.<sup id="cite_ref-232" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-232">[216]</a></sup> To no one's surprise, this category includes Musk himself, who managed to combine a tasteless <a href="/wiki/Transphobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transphobic">transphobic</a> joke with a baseless call to prosecute <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Fauci" class="extiw" title="wp:Anthony Fauci" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Anthony Fauci">Anthony Fauci</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> (based on <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a> repeated <i><a href="/wiki/Ad_nauseam" class="mw-redirect" title="Ad nauseam">ad nauseam</a></i> by extremist <a href="/wiki/Republicans" class="mw-redirect" title="Republicans">Republicans</a> like <a href="/wiki/Rand_Paul" title="Rand Paul">Rand Paul</a> and <a href="/wiki/Jim_Jordan" title="Jim Jordan">Jim Jordan</a>) in a couple of tweets made in mid December 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-233" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-233">[217]</a></sup> </p><p>On December 12 2022, Musk's Twitter dissolved its Trust and Safety Council, an advisory group of around 100 independent civil, human rights, and other organizations formed in 2016 to address hate speech, child exploitation, and other problems on the platform.<sup id="cite_ref-234" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-234">[218]</a></sup> In addition, on this same day, reports emerged that the once cordial relationship between Yoel Roth and Musk had developed into a feud after Roth left the company. This culminated in Musk releasing internal documents concerning Roth managing <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>'s ban, and (using a tired tactic of his) calling Roth a <a href="/wiki/Pedophile" class="mw-redirect" title="Pedophile">pedophile</a>. Musk's baseless pedophile claim resulted in an escalation of threats against Roth, forcing him to flee his home.<sup id="cite_ref-235" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-235">[219]</a></sup> </p><p>Reports emerged that Musk used his "free speech absolutism" to ban activists who documented extremism and violence among the <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a>, under the guise of them being "<a href="/wiki/Antifa" class="mw-redirect" title="Antifa">antifa</a>". Reportedly the bans were enacted at the request of the notoriously whiny anti-left agitator <a href="/wiki/Andy_Ngo" title="Andy Ngo">Andy Ngo</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-236" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-236">[220]</a></sup> In addition, again unsurprisingly, some users claimed to be banned from Twitter simply for being even remotely critical of Musk in a tweet.<sup id="cite_ref-237" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-237">[221]</a></sup> A Twitter bot account that tracked the location of Musk's private jet (using public information), which made headlines in January 2022 when the operator refused a $5000 payment from Musk to delete the account,<sup id="cite_ref-238" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-238">[222]</a></sup> was, in the name of "free speech absolutism", banned from Twitter on December 14 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-239" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-239">[223]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's "free speech absolutism" became suspect when he banned the Twitter accounts of several mainstream media journalists who had been covering Musk,<sup id="cite_ref-240" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-240">[224]</a></sup> as well as the Twitter account of rival social network <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastodon_(social_network)" class="extiw" title="wp:Mastodon (social network)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Mastodon (social network)">Mastodon.</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-241" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-241">[225]</a></sup> On December 18, Musk further dented his "free speech absolutism" claim when he banned links to content on several other social networks, as well as some link aggregators.<sup id="cite_ref-242" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-242">[226]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-243" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-243">[227]</a></sup> In April 2023, Musk's Twitter started blocking links to the blogging platform <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substack" class="extiw" title="wp:Substack" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Substack">Substack</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> on the grounds that they were launching a Twitter-like service called <i>Substack Notes</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-244" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-244">[228]</a></sup> On April 19, 2023, Twitter suspended a reporter from <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_(magazine)" class="extiw" title="wp:Wired (magazine)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Wired (magazine)">Wired</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup></i> for simply reporting on an incident where <a href="/wiki/Matt_Walsh" title="Matt Walsh">Matt Walsh</a>'s Twitter account was hacked.<sup id="cite_ref-245" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-245">[229]</a></sup> </p><p>As one would expect, more companies continued "pausing" their Twitter commitments due to the chaos, including pauses that went beyond advertising, such as a decision by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_News" class="extiw" title="wp:CBS News" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: CBS News">CBS News</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> to (very temporarily)<sup id="cite_ref-246" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-246">[230]</a></sup> step back from Twitter on November 18 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-247" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-247">[231]</a></sup> By one account, half of Twitter's top 100 advertisers had paused advertising on Twitter by mid November 2022;<sup id="cite_ref-248" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-248">[232]</a></sup> this figure had increased to 72 out of 100 by December 17 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-249" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-249">[233]</a></sup> Also during that month, advertisers started to be told that they "needed to become comfortable" with Musk's unpredictability and uncertainty.<sup id="cite_ref-250" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-250">[234]</a></sup> As of February 2023, over half (625) of Twitter's top 1,000 pre-acquisition advertisers had fled.<sup id="cite_ref-251" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-251">[235]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-252" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-252">[236]</a></sup> Asked during an April 2023 interview to name a single advertiser who had left and then returned, Musk could not do so.<sup id="cite_ref-253" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-253">[237]</a></sup> </p><p>In early April 2023, Musk released the source code of Twitter's recommendation engine. Among the findings, Musk has his own special category in the engine (perhaps explaining why users report seeing his messages so prominently), and certain topics like "<a href="/wiki/Ukraine" title="Ukraine">Ukraine</a>" seemed to be suppressed. Separately, in further signs of the "free speech absolutism" of Musk's Twitter, others noted that if one uses certain words like "<a href="/wiki/Transgender" title="Transgender">transgender</a>", "<a href="/wiki/Gay" class="mw-redirect" title="Gay">gay</a>", "<a href="/wiki/Lesbian" class="mw-redirect" title="Lesbian">lesbian</a>", or "<a href="/wiki/Bisexual" class="mw-redirect" title="Bisexual">bisexual</a>" in a Tweet, the message wouldn't preview when shared via direct message (which implies these are now flagged as inflammatory or sensitive terms).<sup id="cite_ref-254" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-254">[238]</a></sup> Shortly thereafter, Twitter revoked its policy banning targeted <a href="/wiki/Deadnaming" class="mw-redirect" title="Deadnaming">deadnaming</a> and <a href="/wiki/Misgendering" class="mw-redirect" title="Misgendering">misgendering</a> of transgender people — a move by Musk that had been anticipated since November 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-255" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-255">[239]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Ortutay4182023_256-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Ortutay4182023-256">[240]</a></sup> </p><p>Continuing Musk's war with media, in April 2023, Twitter started randomly labeling various news outlets such as <a href="/wiki/NPR" class="mw-redirect" title="NPR">NPR</a>, <a href="/wiki/BBC" title="BBC">BBC</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTVE" class="extiw" title="wp:RTVE" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: RTVE">RTVE</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and <a href="/wiki/CBC" title="CBC">CBC</a> as "government-funded media" – which Twitter says implies government may have editorial say – or "state-affiliated media" (which generally suggests propaganda), rather than "publicly-funded media" (which even on Twitter remains non-pejorative). Previously Twitter only used the more concerning labels for media outlets that essentially served as government mouthpieces (such as Russia's <a href="/wiki/RT" title="RT">RT</a> or China's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinhua" class="extiw" title="wp:Xinhua" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Xinhua">Xinhua</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>); in contrast, under Musk these labels were slapped on outlets that, while publicly funded by various degrees, had editorial independence from the government; in some cases (such as NPR), the government provided very little of the operating budget.<sup id="cite_ref-257" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-257">[241]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-258" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-258">[242]</a></sup> Multiple media outlets around the world, beginning with NPR and <a href="/wiki/PBS" title="PBS">PBS</a>, responded to the inaccurate labels by exiting Twitter.<sup id="cite_ref-260" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-260">[note 17]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-261" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-261">[244]</a></sup> Twitter soon removed media labels entirely, including for Russian and Chinese state media.<sup id="cite_ref-262" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-262">[245]</a></sup> </p><p>In May 2023, reports emerged of widely-circulated animal abuse content suggested prominently by Twitter's internal search engine. This included a particularly notorious video, which appeared as a suggestion if a user searched for "<a href="/wiki/Cat" class="mw-redirect" title="Cat">cat</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-263" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-263">[246]</a></sup> Between that and reports of widely-viewed child abuse content (again, after gutting the team dedicating to fighting child exploitation, along with other moderation crews), priorities are <i>clearly</i> in the right place.<sup id="cite_ref-264" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-264">[247]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-265" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-265">[248]</a></sup> It is unknown why companies are hesitant to place advertisements for their products next to this sort of content. </p><p>On June 1 2023, <a href="/wiki/The_Daily_Wire" class="mw-redirect" title="The Daily Wire">the Daily Wire</a> reported that they had been in talks with Twitter to set up a paid advertiser campaign to promote a <a href="/wiki/Transphobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transphobic">transphobic</a> "documentary" by <a href="/wiki/Matt_Walsh" title="Matt Walsh">Matt Walsh</a> called <i>What is a Woman?</i>. Twitter staff, however, backed out after reviewing the film, and warned the Daily Wire that although they could still post the video, the film would be flagged as "hateful content" under Twitter's policies. This, naturally, infuriated Twitter's right-wing trolls. At this point, Musk decided to throw his safety employees under the bus, and (after a small bit of hesitation) worked to ensure that the hateful content promoted by the Daily Wire would not be labeled as hateful content on Twitter. Musk later shared the video on his feed with the comment "every parent should watch this" (while <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#Transphobia" title="Elon Musk">also promoting a number of anti-trans talking points</a> elsewhere). This incident resulted in yet even more staff resignations, among them Ella Irwin (VP of trust and safety, who had just taken the post when previous head Yoel Roth left in November 2022), Maie Aiyed (Twitter brand safety partnerships program director), and AJ Brown (head of brand safety and ad quality).<sup id="cite_ref-266" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-266">[249]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-267" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-267">[250]</a></sup> </p><p>On June 21 2023, Elon Musk use his increasingly <a href="/wiki/Doublespeak" class="mw-redirect" title="Doublespeak">doublespeak</a>-y "free speech absolutism" principles, as well as his increasing <a href="/wiki/Transphobia" title="Transphobia">transphobia</a>, to declare that "cis" and "<a href="/wiki/Cisgender" title="Cisgender">cisgender</a>" were now considered slurs on Twitter and that users who engaged in "harassment" with these words would face consequences.<sup id="cite_ref-268" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-268">[251]</a></sup> He did this again in Late October.<sup id="cite_ref-269" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-269">[252]</a></sup> In 2024, trying to post the word cisgender (an actual medical term) on Twitter/X now results in an automatic content warning ("This post contains language that may be considered a slur by X and could be used in a harmful manner in violation of our rules.").<sup id="cite_ref-270" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-270">[253]</a></sup> </p><p>At the beginning of July 2023, Musk (fresh off of making headlines for immaturely challenging social media rival CEO <a href="/wiki/Mark_Zuckerberg" class="mw-redirect" title="Mark Zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a> to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC" class="extiw" title="wp:UFC" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: UFC">UFC</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> style "cage match")<sup id="cite_ref-nyccage_271-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-nyccage-271">[254]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-272" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-272">[note 18]</a></sup> decided to impose severe rate limits on Twitter, which in effect broke the user experience for most Twitter users.<sup id="cite_ref-forbesrate_273-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-forbesrate-273">[255]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-275" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-275">[note 19]</a></sup> Musk also enacted a change which required one to be logged in before viewing content; previously public tweets were viewable by anyone. Although Musk claimed that the new supposed "temporary" "emergency" rate limits were enacted to deal with "extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation" purportedly being done by <a href="/wiki/Artificial_intelligence" title="Artificial intelligence">artificial intelligence</a> companies, many commentators didn't buy that explanation, speculating that either Musk refused to pay for some critical Twitter infrastructure, or that the forced login change caused a technical issue severe enough to effectively self-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDoS" class="extiw" title="wp:DDoS" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: DDoS">DDoS</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> the site.<sup id="cite_ref-276" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-276">[257]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-techradarrate_274-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-techradarrate-274">[256]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-forbesrate_273-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-forbesrate-273">[255]</a></sup> The changes also broke Twitter management tools like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TweetDeck" class="extiw" title="wp:TweetDeck" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: TweetDeck">TweetDeck</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-277" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-277">[258]</a></sup> Advertising industry experts saw the change as yet another blunder that would drive away advertisers en masse (of those that hadn't fled already, that is).<sup id="cite_ref-278" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-278">[259]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-280" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-280">[note 20]</a></sup> This sudden self-<a href="/wiki/Fun:Pwned" title="Fun:Pwned">PWNED</a> moment caused a surge in interest in rival platforms, such as <a href="/wiki/Social_media_platforms#Fediverse_.26_Mastodon" title="Social media platforms">Mastodon</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesky_Social" class="extiw" title="wp:Bluesky Social" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Bluesky Social">Bluesky</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-281" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-281">[261]</a></sup> Spill,<sup id="cite_ref-282" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-282">[262]</a></sup> and even <a href="/wiki/Social_media_platforms#Truth_Social" title="Social media platforms">Truth Social</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-283" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-283">[263]</a></sup> </p><p>Probably not entirely coincidentally, on Monday July 3 2023, Zuckerberg's new rival Twitter clone, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threads_(app)" class="extiw" title="wp:Threads (app)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Threads (app)">Threads</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> showed up on mobile application stores for "pre-saving" with a scheduled launch date of July 6 2023.<sup id="cite_ref-284" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-284">[264]</a></sup> This launch was reportedly quite successful, with 100 million reported users signed up in less than a week (in part thanks to Threads sharing a user base with <a href="/wiki/Instagram" class="mw-redirect" title="Instagram">Instagram</a>). On Monday July 10 2023, Musk's response to this was to engage in extremely cringe and embarrassing juvenile taunts, challenging Zuckerberg to a literal <a href="/wiki/Penis" title="Penis">dick measuring contest</a> and calling Zuckerberg the old and tired default insult of the <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a>, a "<a href="/wiki/Cuck" title="Cuck">cuck</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-285" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-285">[265]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-286" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-286">[266]</a></sup> </p><p>Not coincidentally, also on Monday July 10 2023, Musk's shithole got praised by the fucking <a href="/wiki/Taliban" title="Taliban">Taliban</a> of all things for its "pro-free speech policies" while calling out Threads as "<a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">intolerant</a>" for not putting up with <a href="/wiki/Extremist" class="mw-redirect" title="Extremist">extremist</a> pollution.<sup id="cite_ref-287" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-287">[267]</a></sup> </p><p>In December 2023 Elon Musk lost a court case related to California's content moderation policy. This is one case of Musk putting Twitter into two court cases, one with the state of California, and the other related to a Media Matters Lawsuit.<sup id="cite_ref-288" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-288">[268]</a></sup> <sup id="cite_ref-289" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-289">[269]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Sucking_up_to_authoritarians">Sucking up to authoritarians</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Sucking up to authoritarians">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>According to a report by the non-profit news organization <i>Rest of the World</i> in April 2023, since Musk took over Twitter, Twitter's compliance with government demands for censorship or surveillance rose to over 80%, from around 50%.<sup id="cite_ref-290" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-290">[270]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-291" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-291">[271]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-292" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-292">[272]</a></sup> </p><p>In late January, Musk continued to demonstrate how his "free speech absolutist" claim was <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a> (particularly perhaps when it came to appeasing <a href="/wiki/Authoritarian" class="mw-redirect" title="Authoritarian">authoritarian</a> demands) when Twitter <a href="/wiki/Censor" class="mw-redirect" title="Censor">censored</a> links to a <a href="/wiki/BBC" title="BBC">BBC</a> documentary critical of <a href="/wiki/Narendra_Modi" title="Narendra Modi">Narendra Modi</a> (a documentary which in particular highlighted Modi's troubling connections to the <a href="/wiki/Narendra_Modi#2002_Gujarat_riots" title="Narendra Modi">2002 Gujarat riots.</a>)<sup id="cite_ref-293" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-293">[273]</a></sup> </p><p>In May 2023, Musk was criticized for yet another dent in his purported "free speech absolutism" claim. Prior to a critical election in <a href="/wiki/Turkey" title="Turkey">Turkey</a>, where voters determined whether or not <a href="/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan" title="Recep Tayyip Erdoğan">Recep Tayyip Erdoğan</a> would be re-elected, Twitter announced that certain content would be restricted in order to prevent the entire site from being blocked in that country (a tactic the often-authoritarian Erdoğan government had used quite often in the past to suppress criticism.) This move was seen by many as kowtowing to Erdoğan.<sup id="cite_ref-294" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-294">[274]</a></sup> In response to a critical tweet by journalist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Yglesias" class="extiw" title="wp:Matt Yglesias" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Matt Yglesias">Matt Yglesias</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> Musk defended the decision by implying that it was preferable to have a few tweets throttled rather than have Twitter throttled in its entirety. This earned a strong rebuke from <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia" title="Wikipedia">Wikipedia</a> founder <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Wales" class="extiw" title="wp:Jimmy Wales" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Jimmy Wales">Jimmy Wales</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> who cited Wikipedia's own censorship battles with Erdoğan's government to chide Musk for not treating "freedom of expression as a principle rather than a slogan."<sup id="cite_ref-295" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-295">[275]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-297" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-297">[note 21]</a></sup> </p><p>In August 2023, unsealed court documents revealed that in February that year, Twitter dragged its feet and fought back in providing data from <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>'s account to the government, in accordance with a search warrant related to an investigation into Trump's role in the <a href="/wiki/2021_U.S._coup_attempt" title="2021 U.S. coup attempt">2021 U.S. coup attempt</a> (an investigation that eventually led to an indictment). The repeated delays were such that Twitter eventually ended up earning a $350,000 contempt of court fine.<sup id="cite_ref-298" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-298">[277]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-299" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-299">[278]</a></sup> Judge <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Howell" class="extiw" title="wp:Beryl Howell" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Beryl Howell">Beryl Howell</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> specifically singled out Musk in a February 7 hearing, wondering if the foot-dragging was "because the new CEO wants to cozy up with the former president". Another federal prosecutor named Renato Mariotti noted that it was an unusual step for Twitter to hire "expensive lawyers to fight a lawful search warrant", and believed that Trump was getting special treatment from Musk.<sup id="cite_ref-300" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-300">[279]</a></sup> </p><p>In contrast to his capitulation towards "right-wing" populist government moderation requests, Musk was much more openly hostile in a case involving <a href="/wiki/Brazil" title="Brazil">Brazil</a>, which (not coincidentally) was led by the "left-wing" government of <a href="/wiki/Luiz_In%C3%A1cio_Lula_da_Silva" title="Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva">Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva</a> at the time. In December 2022, supporters of the defeated president <a href="/wiki/Jair_Bolsonaro" title="Jair Bolsonaro">Jair Bolsonaro</a> <a href="/wiki/2021_U.S._coup_attempt#2022-23_Brazilian_coup_attempts" title="2021 U.S. coup attempt">attempted to storm the headquarters</a> of the Brazillian Federal Police. As part of the inquiries into the attacks, in January 2023, the Brazil Supreme Court asked social media platforms to hand over information and suspend accounts linked to any illegal activities relating to such. Musk expressed concern, but ultimately complied with the order on that date. However, on April 2024, Brazil Supreme Court justice <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_de_Moraes" class="extiw" title="wp:Alexandre de Moraes" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Alexandre de Moraes">Alexandre de Moraes</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> asked for some additional accounts to be blocked. In this case, Musk openly defied the Supreme Court's orders, removing Twitter's legal representative from Brazil in protest. As a legal representative is required by law in Brazil for any foreign country to operate, de Moraes gave Musk a deadline of August 29 2024 to comply with the court or else Twitter would be banned in Brazil. Predictably, Musk did nothing, so on that date, the ban was enacted — even using a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network" class="extiw" title="wp:Virtual private network" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Virtual private network">VPN</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> to attempt to bypass the ban and access Twitter would result in a fine.<sup id="cite_ref-301" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-301">[280]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-302" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-302">[281]</a></sup> Aside from Brazil, Musk has been much more willing to apply his "free speech absolutism" motif and moan about "censorship" when it comes to moderation requests from Western democracies such as the <a href="/wiki/EU" class="mw-redirect" title="EU">EU</a> and <a href="/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australia</a>. (Of course, his capitulations to "right-wing" authoritarians demonstrate that the "absolutism" part of Musk's motif is simply <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a>.)<sup id="cite_ref-303" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-303">[282]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="The_lie_of_free_speech_absolutism">The lie of free speech absolutism</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: The lie of free speech absolutism">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>"This guy blew up my life by saying I condone pedophilia, and then he turns around and does this."</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Yoel Roth<sup id="cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wapotwittercsam-304">[283]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Musk purchased Twitter in October 2022, and two months later he suspended several journalists who had been critical of him on Twitter: Matt Binder (@mattbinder) of <i>Mashable</i>, Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) of <i><a href="/wiki/The_Washington_Post" title="The Washington Post">The Washington Post</a></i>, Steven L. Herman (@W7VOA) of <i>Voice of America</i>, Micah Lee (@micahflee) of <i>The Intercept</i>, Linette Lopez of <i>Business Insider</i>, Ryan Mac (@rmac18) of <i><a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times" title="The New York Times">The New York Times</a></i>, Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) of <i><a href="/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a></i>, <a href="/wiki/Keith_Olbermann" title="Keith Olbermann">Keith Olbermann</a> (@keitholbermann), Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) and Tony Webster (@webster).<sup id="cite_ref-305" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-305">[284]</a></sup> Ostensibly, the suspensions were because of use of private jet trackers, but such information is openly available on the web<sup id="cite_ref-306" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-306">[285]</a></sup> and the accounts were suspended without warning.<sup id="cite_ref-307" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-307">[286]</a></sup> It's a lesson in how to preserve "<a href="/wiki/Freeze_peach" class="mw-redirect" title="Freeze peach">freeze peach</a>" by silencing one's critics. Musk continued to throttle journalists but more subtly by downgrading Twitter posts that have external links (such as to full journalistic reports).<sup id="cite_ref-308" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-308">[287]</a></sup> Musk has even throttled posts with links to specific news outlets that he doesn't like, such as <i><a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times" title="The New York Times">The New York Times</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-309" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-309">[288]</a></sup> </p><p>In July 2023, Musk un-suspended the account of a <a href="/wiki/QAnon" title="QAnon">QAnon</a> influencer named Dominick McGee after some of the account's followers complained that the account had been suspended for its political messaging. In reality, McGee had been suspended for posting a partly-censored <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_pornography" class="extiw" title="wp:Child pornography" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Child pornography">CSAM</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> image of a toddler being tortured. This image was taken from one of the most notorious child abuse videos in the world, made by an Australian man named <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Scully" class="extiw" title="wp:Peter Scully" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Peter Scully">Peter Scully</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> who was convicted of child sexual abuse in the Philippines and sentenced to 129 years' imprisonment.<sup id="cite_ref-310" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-310">[289]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-311" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-311">[290]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-312" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-312">[291]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wapotwittercsam-304">[283]</a></sup> Such material, even when partially censored, is considered child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and therefore illegal.<sup id="cite_ref-313" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-313">[292]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk has insisted that stopping the spread of CSAM on Twitter is one of his highest priorities. However, in June 2023, the Stanford Cyber Policy Center reported that Twitter had been letting through known CSAM material that should have been automatically detected by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhotoDNA" class="extiw" title="wp:PhotoDNA" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: PhotoDNA">PhotoDNA</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> a widely used database of detected child exploitation images. According to Stanford Internet Observatory's chief technologist David Thiel, PhotoDNA appeared to be at least partially down for a period of time in 2023. Due to this, plus a lack of a rapid response to fix the issue (due to the trust and safety teams being gutted), "tons of known CSAM" flooded Twitter for a significant period before the issue was fixed.<sup id="cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wapotwittercsam-304">[283]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-314" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-314">[293]</a></sup> </p><p>Following the 2023 attack on <a href="/wiki/Israel" title="Israel">Israel</a> by <a href="/wiki/Hamas" title="Hamas">Hamas</a> and the Israeli retaliation in Gaza, an explosion of <a href="/wiki/Antisemitic" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisemitic">antisemitic</a> posts on X/Twitter went unchecked. Musk, thinking that he could solve the problem, must have thought he could just go to Israel, meet with Prime Minister <a href="/wiki/Netanyahu" class="mw-redirect" title="Netanyahu">Netanyahu</a>, make a statement ("We need to do everything possible to stop the hate."), and that would be the end of it.<sup id="cite_ref-harwell_315-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-harwell-315">[294]</a></sup> It would seem very unlikely given that Musk refuses to do anything about Twitter antisemitism since the Trust and Safety team at X likely remains eviscerated from the time it was dissolved in December 2022,<sup id="cite_ref-316" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-316">[295]</a></sup> and since Musk boosted the previously-thought-to-be-moribund <a href="/wiki/Pizzagate" title="Pizzagate">Pizzagate</a> conspiracy theory one day after meeting with Netanyahu.<sup id="cite_ref-harwell_315-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-harwell-315">[294]</a></sup> </p><p>Despite Musk's claims of free speech absolutism, he has consistently capitulated to right-wing authoritarians (India's Narendra Modi and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan)<sup id="cite_ref-317" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-317">[296]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-318" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-318">[297]</a></sup> but not when it involves censoring <a href="/wiki/Far-right" class="mw-redirect" title="Far-right">far-right</a> anti-<a href="/wiki/Democracy" title="Democracy">democratic</a> ideas<sup id="cite_ref-319" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-319">[298]</a></sup> or his own critics.<sup id="cite_ref-320" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-320">[299]</a></sup> </p><p>In September 2024, the account of journalist Ken Klippenstein was suspended from Twitter for publishing the Trump campaign's internal evaluation of <a href="/wiki/JD_Vance" class="mw-redirect" title="JD Vance">JD Vance</a> that the mainstream media refused to publish.<sup id="cite_ref-321" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-321">[300]</a></sup> </p><p>In 2024, <a href="/wiki/British" class="mw-redirect" title="British">British</a> graphic novelist Darryl Cunningham was unable to find a US or UK publisher for his book about Musk, <i>Elon Musk: Investigation into a New Master of the World</i> even though the French language edition had already been published (<i>Elon Musk: Enquête sur un nouveau maître du monde</i><sup id="cite_ref-322" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-322">[301]</a></sup>) Delcourt had lawyers review every word and image in the book and had not used any information that had not already been published.<sup id="cite_ref-barnett_95-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-barnett-95">[88]</a></sup> It would seem to be a widespread act of self-censorship by English-language publishers on the possible threat of what would be extremely expensive legal action by Musk. There was justifiable fear by the publishers about a <a href="/wiki/SLAPP_suit" title="SLAPP suit">SLAPP suit</a> from Musk if they published; in 2023, Musk had filed a defamation SLAPP suit against <a href="/wiki/Media_Matters_for_America" title="Media Matters for America">Media Matters for America</a> with the presumed intent of crushing the organization.<sup id="cite_ref-323" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-323">[302]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="The_right-wing_edgelord_troll">The right-wing edgelord troll</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: The right-wing edgelord troll">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Musk continued his descent from futuristic tech CEO into just another shitposting <a href="/wiki/Edgelord" title="Edgelord">edgelord</a> <a href="/wiki/Troll" class="mw-redirect" title="Troll">troll</a> on November 28 2022. The overnight tweetstorm included tweets with a <a href="/wiki/Pepe_the_Frog" title="Pepe the Frog">Pepe the Frog</a> image, an image of <a href="/wiki/Baked_Alaska" title="Baked Alaska">Baked Alaska</a> that was quickly deleted, and a fake "CNN headline" created by a small right-leaning satire site called <i>Genesius Times</i> (tweeted, of course, without any context to the real source whatsoever).<sup id="cite_ref-324" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-324">[303]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-325" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-325">[304]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-326" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-326">[305]</a></sup> Musk continued to be Very Concerned about <a href="/wiki/Doublespeak" class="mw-redirect" title="Doublespeak">what he called</a> "<a href="/wiki/Free_speech" class="mw-redirect" title="Free speech">free speech</a>", <sup id="cite_ref-327" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-327">[306]</a></sup> while also simultaneously displaying "concerns" in other tweets about there needing to be a "counter-narrative" for supposed "far left San Francisco/Berkeley views"<sup id="cite_ref-328" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-328">[307]</a></sup> and claiming that a supposed "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a> <a href="/wiki/Meme" title="Meme">mind virus</a> has thoroughly penetrated entertainment and is pushing civilization towards suicide."<sup id="cite_ref-329" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-329">[308]</a></sup> Of course, all those advertisers who paused Twitter ads, in Musk's mind, also hated "free speech" as well, because apparently "free speech" in Muskland means "paying Elon Musk money".<sup id="cite_ref-330" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-330">[309]</a></sup> Meanwhile, Twitter's radically reduced anti-propaganda team experienced noticeable difficulty stopping an apparent pro-China spam campaign that was attempting to flood out any information on Twitter regarding the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_COVID-19_protests_in_China" class="extiw" title="wp:2022 COVID-19 protests in China" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: 2022 COVID-19 protests in China">2022 COVID-19 protests in China</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-331" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-331">[310]</a></sup> </p><p>An analysis of Musk's replies and exchanges on his Twitter account by <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Monde" class="extiw" title="wp:Le Monde" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Le Monde">Le Monde</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup></i> published on November 28 2022, indicated that increasingly Musk was living in a right-wing "filter bubble". Musk's approving chats heavily consisted of accounts associated with <a href="/wiki/Gamergate" title="Gamergate">Gamergate</a> and/or <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a> figures, conservative activists, <a href="/wiki/Cryptocurrency" class="mw-redirect" title="Cryptocurrency">crypto</a> bros, and Tesla "fan groups" that praised every announcement he made and LOLed at every shitpost he tweeted. On the flip side, Musk tended to mock and act flippantly toward criticisms coming from Democratic politicians, as well as making fun of the mainstream American media in general (the latter probably due to Musk's thin-skinned inability to handle criticism.)<sup id="cite_ref-332" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-332">[311]</a></sup> </p><p>A March 2023 <a href="/wiki/BBC" title="BBC">BBC</a> analysis of Twitter by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianna_Spring" class="extiw" title="wp:Marianna Spring" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Marianna Spring">Marianna Spring</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> indicated that at that time, due to Musk's decimation of safety teams, <a href="/wiki/Trolls" class="mw-redirect" title="Trolls">trolls</a> ran rampant on the platform, targeted harassment campaigns (including those originated by state-sanctioned campaigns) aimed at curbing freedom of expression were common, and abusive <a href="/wiki/Misogyny" title="Misogyny">misogyny</a> had increased.<sup id="cite_ref-333" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-333">[312]</a></sup> Musk's response to the article was to tweet that "trolls are kinda fun"; also predictably, Twitter trolls responded to the report by directing a torrent of abusive posts at the reporter.<sup id="cite_ref-334" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-334">[313]</a></sup> </p><p>In early April 2023, Musk unexpectedly changed the Twitter logo above the home icon (and elsewhere) into the logo for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogecoin" class="extiw" title="wp:Dogecoin" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Dogecoin">Dogecoin</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> <a href="/wiki/Cryptocurrency" class="mw-redirect" title="Cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</a>. Not coincidentally, at that time, Musk was being sued by a group of investors accusing Musk of running a "<a href="/wiki/Pyramid_scheme" title="Pyramid scheme">pyramid scheme</a>" with Dogecoin, by <a href="/wiki/Pump_and_dump" title="Pump and dump">manipulating the Dogecoin market with his tweets.</a><sup id="cite_ref-335" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-335">[314]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-336" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-336">[315]</a></sup> </p><p>Due to Musk firing Twitter's communications team, as of March 2023 (under a new policy change instituted by Musk), any mail sent to these accounts will be automatically replied to with a "poop emoji". Which <a href="/wiki/Ironically" class="mw-redirect" title="Ironically">ironically</a> happens to also be a great description of Twitter under Musk's leadership.<sup id="cite_ref-337" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-337">[316]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span id="Climate_change_misinformation/disinformation"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Climate_change_misinformation.2Fdisinformation">Climate change misinformation/disinformation</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Climate change misinformation/disinformation">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>In the past, Musk had advocated pro-sustainable energy stances (and was a significant spokesman of such), as one would expect from the CEO of the company that essentially kick-started the electric vehicle market with Tesla.<sup id="cite_ref-338" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-338">[317]</a></sup> Publicly during this time period, Musk was strongly concerned about climate change, and was fervently against climate science deniers. In 2017, Musk told <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stone" class="extiw" title="wp:Rolling Stone" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Rolling Stone">Rolling Stone</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> that "climate change is the biggest threat that humanity faces this century, except for <a href="/wiki/AI" class="mw-redirect" title="AI">AI</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-339" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-339">[318]</a></sup> In October 2016, in response to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNBC" class="extiw" title="wp:CNBC" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: CNBC">CNBC</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> interview where the coal baron (and <a href="/wiki/Last_Week_Tonight" title="Last Week Tonight">John Oliver</a> arch-nemesis)<sup id="cite_ref-340" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-340">[319]</a></sup> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Murray" class="extiw" title="wp:Robert E. Murray" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Robert E. Murray">Robert E. Murray</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> called Tesla a fraud, Musk tweeted "Real fraud going on is denial of climate science."<sup id="cite_ref-341" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-341">[320]</a></sup> Musk even broke off his council associations with <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a> after Trump stepped away from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement" class="extiw" title="wp:Paris Agreement" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Paris Agreement">Paris Agreement</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-342" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-342">[321]</a></sup> </p><p>Since taking Twitter over, Musk's priorities have shifted to shitposting <a href="/wiki/Transphobic" class="mw-redirect" title="Transphobic">transphobic</a> jokes and hanging out with his <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theory" title="Conspiracy theory">conspiracy theory</a>-loving sycophants on the platform. While Musk is not a climate change denier (at least at this time), this shift in focus has resulted in a considerably diminished focus on his previous stance championing the fight against climate change. </p><p>Besides allowing vicious attacks on climate scientists on Twitter<sup id="cite_ref-343" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-343">[322]</a></sup> (to the point with many climate scientists, fed up with the racism, sexism, and climate-denying <a href="/wiki/Trolls" class="mw-redirect" title="Trolls">trolls</a> and bots on the platform, have simply left)<sup id="cite_ref-344" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-344">[323]</a></sup> and prioritizing results from <a href="/wiki/Climate_change" title="Climate change">climate change</a> <a href="/wiki/Denialism" title="Denialism">deniers</a> on Twitter,<sup id="cite_ref-345" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-345">[324]</a></sup> Musk has himself posted climate change misinformation:<sup id="cite_ref-346" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-346">[325]</a></sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Important to note that what happens on Earth’s surface (eg farming) has no meaningful impact on climate change. Overwhelmingly, the risk of climate change is due to moving billions of tons of carbon from deep underground into the atmosphere.</div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>In fact, land use change (LUC) impacts the balance of the Earth's carbon cycle by altering the land's carbon carrying capacity, for example where rainforest is replaced by farmland. According to the annual Global Carbon Budget study<sup id="cite_ref-347" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-347">[326]</a></sup>, 11% of the annual net increase in atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentration is currently a direct result of LUC, while cumulatively LUC is responsible for one third of anthropogenic CO<sub>2</sub> emissions since 1750. While the impact of fossil fuel combustion is undoubtedly greater, it is straight up climate denial to state that LUC has "no meaningful impact". </p><p>LUC also significantly impacts the atmospheric concentration of the other key greenhouse gases, methane<sup id="cite_ref-348" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-348">[327]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-349" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-349">[328]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-350" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-350">[329]</a></sup> and nitrous oxide<sup id="cite_ref-351" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-351">[330]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-352" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-352">[331]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-353" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-353">[332]</a></sup>. </p><p>LUC additionally affects climate conditions by changing biophysical properties such as albedo, evapotranspiration and surface roughness<sup id="cite_ref-354" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-354">[333]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-355" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-355">[334]</a></sup>. Although these effects are generally more localised than changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, localised climate change is still relevant when considering climate change impacts. </p><p>If human civilisation had acted more quickly to transition away from fossil fuels, we could afford to ignore the effect of LUC on climate in the short to medium term. However, as decades of inaction has brought us to the point of climate crisis, addressing the impact of LUC will be necessary if we are to meet goals such as the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C<sup id="cite_ref-356" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-356">[335]</a></sup> and the European Union's ambition of net zero emissions by 2050 <sup id="cite_ref-357" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-357">[336]</a></sup>. </p><p>Aside from the issue of LUC, modern agriculture and forestry systems are also highly dependent on petroleum-based fertilizers, energy-intensive machinery for planting and harvesting, and transportation networks that are still largely powered by fossil fuels. The IPCC groups these factors alongside the effect of LUC itself under the heading Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU), which they say was responsible for 22% of net global CO<sub>2</sub>-eq GHG emissions in the year 2019.<sup id="cite_ref-358" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-358">[337]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk has also downplayed the threat of climate change to various degrees on several occasions. In an August 2022 tweet, for instance, Musk seemed to put more prominence in <a href="/wiki/Depopulation_conspiracy_theory" title="Depopulation conspiracy theory">depopulation conspiracy theories</a> than climate change. ("Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming.")<sup id="cite_ref-359" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-359">[338]</a></sup> On May 5 2023, in response to a tweet from <a href="/wiki/Mike_Cernovich" title="Mike Cernovich">Mike Cernovich</a> calling "global warming" "the largest scam in human history.", Musk replied that "global warming risk is overblown in the short term, but significant in the long term."<sup id="cite_ref-360" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-360">[339]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk has also taken several public stances against government and business initiatives that address climate change, but didn't happen to benefit the pockets of Musk. For instance, Musk came out against <a href="/wiki/Joe_Biden" title="Joe Biden">Joe Biden</a>'s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Build_Back_Better_Plan" class="extiw" title="wp:Build Back Better Plan" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Build Back Better Plan">Build Back Better Plan</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> bill, due to what critics saw as irritation at other automobile companies getting more subsidies than Tesla.<sup id="cite_ref-361" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-361">[340]</a></sup> Likewise, right after Tesla was booted from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26P_Dow_Jones_Indices" class="extiw" title="wp:S&P Dow Jones Indices" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: S&P Dow Jones Indices">S&P's</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> "ESG index", Musk called <a href="/wiki/Socially_responsible_investing" title="Socially responsible investing">environmential, social, and governance (ESG)</a> a "scam" that was " weaponized by phony <a href="/wiki/Social_justice_warriors" class="mw-redirect" title="Social justice warriors">social justice warriors</a>". (The reason for S&P excluding Tesla was due to <a href="/wiki/Racism" title="Racism">racism</a> at Tesla's factories.)<sup id="cite_ref-362" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-362">[341]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="The_future">The future</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: The future">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Musk's Twitter problems were so significant, they affected his primary company Tesla as well. Between April 4 2022 (the date Musk first disclosed he took a 9% stake in Twitter) and December 15 2022, Musk's primary company, Tesla, lost a staggering <i>$705 billion</i> in market capitalization. The Twitter purchase was not the only reason for the decline, however it was clear that Twitter played a significant factor. Many investors were not happy with Musk seemingly abandoning Tesla in order to badly mismanage Twitter. Investors also were not happy at Musk using Tesla stock as a "piggy bank" to help finance propping up his favorite shitposting platform.<sup id="cite_ref-363" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-363">[342]</a></sup> Many analysts also noted that Tesla's previously sky-high stock price relied, in part, on Musk's reputation as a genius <a href="/wiki/Futurist" class="mw-redirect" title="Futurist">futurist</a>. Musk's mismanagement misadventures at Twitter cracked that facade, and thus damaged the Tesla brand and helped damage Tesla's stock price. As an added headache, Musk's increasingly hyper-partisan <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theory" title="Conspiracy theory">conspiracy theory</a> and political oriented tweets added additional Tesla brand damage. Particularly considering that the left-leaning people that Musk is obsessively attacking were always the ones most likely to buy a Tesla, while conservatives are the least likely to do so.<sup id="cite_ref-364" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-364">[343]</a></sup> </p><p>Perhaps with this in mind, on December 18 2022, Musk posted a Twitter poll asking whether or not he should continue as CEO of Twitter, claiming he would abide by the results. The poll closed on Monday, with the result (57.5%) clearly showing most voters in favor of him leaving the CEO position.<sup id="cite_ref-365" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-365">[344]</a></sup> After initially appearing to want to <a href="/wiki/Moving_the_goalposts" title="Moving the goalposts">move the goalposts</a> and change the rules for the poll,<sup id="cite_ref-366" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-366">[345]</a></sup> on Tuesday December 20 2022, Musk gave in... sort of. Musk tweeted that he would "resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job!", while still maintaining that he would run the "software & servers teams".<sup id="cite_ref-367" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-367">[346]</a></sup> Of course, this was seen by many as mere "window dressing", and that he would retain significant influence over the company regardless of whether he was CEO or not.<sup id="cite_ref-368" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-368">[347]</a></sup> </p><p>On May 12 2023, Musk announced that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Yaccarino" class="extiw" title="wp:Linda Yaccarino" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Linda Yaccarino">Linda Yaccarino</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>, previously an advertising chief executive at NBCUniversal, would become Twitter's new CEO. Musk would still be involved as executive chairman and chief technology officer.<sup id="cite_ref-369" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-369">[348]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-370" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-370">[349]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-379" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-379">[note 22]</a></sup> </p><p>By March 2024, according to the market research firm Sensor Tower, the number of Twitter daily app users worldwide had declined 15% since November 2022 (when Musk took over), and had declined 23% in the United States specifically. In comparison, most social media apps were experiencing modest growth worldwide during that period, and (with the exception of <a href="/wiki/TikTok" class="mw-redirect" title="TikTok">TikTok</a>) were flat or modestly down in the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-380" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-380">[358]</a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Fake_news" title="Fake news">Fake news</a> was still very prevalent on the Twitter platform, so much so that in December 2023, Twitter became the first tech company to face a formal investigation within the <a href="/wiki/European_Union" title="European Union">European Union</a> under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Services_Act" class="extiw" title="wp:Digital Services Act" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Digital Services Act">Digital Services Act</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-381" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-381">[359]</a></sup> Hate speech, including noxious <a href="/wiki/AI" class="mw-redirect" title="AI">AI</a> generated images straight from <a href="/wiki/4chan" title="4chan">4chan</a>'s <a href="/wiki//pol/" class="mw-redirect" title="/pol/">/pol/</a>, also thrived on the platform;<sup id="cite_ref-382" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-382">[360]</a></sup> rather than address the hate speech, Musk responded by suing watchdog organizations like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Countering_Digital_Hate" class="extiw" title="wp:Center for Countering Digital Hate" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Center for Countering Digital Hate">Center for Countering Digital Hate</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and the <a href="/wiki/Anti-Defamation_League" title="Anti-Defamation League">Anti-Defamation League</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-383" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-383">[361]</a></sup> With major advertisers still staying clear of Twitter's toxic environment,<sup id="cite_ref-384" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-384">[362]</a></sup> Twitter also was noteworthy for being infested with tons of shady advertisements, including <a href="/wiki/Cryptocurrency" class="mw-redirect" title="Cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</a> scams, "dropshipping" scams, and health care scams and misinformation.<sup id="cite_ref-385" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-385">[363]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-386" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-386">[364]</a></sup> </p><p>Even with the above, what the future holds for the platform is uncertain, but more than likely it will become even more of a lawless wasteland than it was before. If it manages to still exist, that is. </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Mental_health_issues">Mental health issues</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Mental health issues">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>Musk has been variously described as having non-professionally diagnosed <a href="/wiki/PTSD" class="mw-redirect" title="PTSD">PTSD</a>, <a href="/wiki/Autism" title="Autism">being autistic</a>, and bipolar disorder by himself, relatives and friends.<sup id="cite_ref-isaacson_92-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-isaacson-92">[85]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:19,268,310-311</sup> </p><p>Grimes, one of Musk's baby mamas, described his bipolar manic phase as "demon mode".<sup id="cite_ref-isaacson_92-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-isaacson-92">[85]</a></sup><sup class="reference" style="white-space:nowrap;">:310-311</sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Sociopathy">Sociopathy</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Sociopathy">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/d/d5/Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg/165px-Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg" decoding="async" width="165" height="165" class="thumbimage" srcset="/w/images/thumb/d/d5/Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg/248px-Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/d/d5/Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg/330px-Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg 2x" data-file-width="400" data-file-height="400" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Space_X_Starship_SN9.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div><a href="/wiki/Penis_enlargement" title="Penis enlargement">Compensating much?</a><sup id="cite_ref-387" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-387">[365]</a></sup></div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span><div class="plainlist"> <ul><li><b>Court lawyer</b>: Do you have some kind of unique ability to identify narcissistic sociopaths?</li> <li><b>Musk</b>: You mean by looking in the mirror?</li> <li>...</li> <li><b>Court lawyer</b>: And, sir, since you've brought it up, do you think that you're a narcissistic sociopath?</li> <li><b>Musk</b>: No.<sup id="cite_ref-388" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-388">[366]</a></sup></li></ul> </div></div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>For someone who has ostensibly created some ventures that could be called good for society (pioneering electric vehicle manufacture, installing rooftop solar, more questionably others), Musk and Tesla have exhibit repeated and disturbing signs of narcissistic <a href="/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisocial personality disorder">sociopathy</a><sup id="cite_ref-gotmusked_389-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gotmusked-389">[367]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-390" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-390">[368]</a></sup> (superficial charm, lying, intentionally causing harm to others). </p><p>Musk believes in the theory that all of existence is a <a href="/wiki/Simulated_reality" title="Simulated reality">simulated reality</a> and has dedicated millions of dollars towards proving an <a href="/wiki/Unfalsifiable" class="mw-redirect" title="Unfalsifiable">unfalsifiable</a> <a href="/wiki/Hypothesis" title="Hypothesis">hypothesis</a> true,<sup id="cite_ref-391" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-391">[369]</a></sup> rather than using that money to do something beneficial. Presumably, he believes in this theory because he believes it could absolve him of any accountability regarding his actions. Musk's apparent belief that reality is a simulation would appear to be a <a href="/wiki/Rationalization" title="Rationalization">rationalization</a> for Musk doing whatever the fuck he wants. When one is the richest person on the planet one can do a very good job of creating a <a href="/wiki/Walled_garden" title="Walled garden">walled garden</a> to keep out things that one doesn't want to confront by just throwing <a href="/wiki/Money" title="Money">money</a> at them. </p><p>Adjacent to Musk's sociopathy, is his support for longtermism — the idea that interplanetary colonization or creating virtual realities of trillions of virtual people in space is more important than dealing with current world problems or even foreseeable <a href="/wiki/Extinction_level_event" class="mw-redirect" title="Extinction level event">extinction level events</a>, including <a href="/wiki/Climate_change" title="Climate change">climate change</a>. Musk has shown support for longtermerist ideas, including William MacAskill's book <i>What We Owe the Future</i>,<sup id="cite_ref-392" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-392">[370]</a></sup> calling the book "a close match for my philosophy."<sup id="cite_ref-393" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-393">[371]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span id="Musk,_himself"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Musk.2C_himself">Musk, himself</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Musk, himself">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>…his gift is not empathy with people.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Musk's brother, Kimbal, making the understatement of the year<sup id="cite_ref-ball_394-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ball-394">[372]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>We’ve got civilizational suicidal empathy going on... <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">I believe in empathy</a>... but you need to have empathy for civilization as a whole and not commit to a civilizational suicide... the fundamental weakness of Western Civilization is empathy...</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Elon Musk on <a href="/wiki/Joe_Rogan" title="Joe Rogan">Joe Rogan</a>'s podcast, desiring to "save civilization" by being an <a href="/wiki/Asshole" class="mw-redirect" title="Asshole">asshole</a> to everyone he disagrees with.<sup id="cite_ref-395" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-395">[373]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-396" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-396">[374]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Musk either thinks that he is a big gorilla, or he knows that is a <a href="/wiki/Manospherian" class="mw-redirect" title="Manospherian">manospherian</a>, declaring to his first wife at their wedding in 2000, "I am the <a href="/wiki/Manosphere_glossary#Alpha" title="Manosphere glossary">alpha</a> in this relationship." He later treated her like a slightly privileged employee, later telling her often, "If you were my employee, I would fire you."<sup id="cite_ref-397" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-397">[375]</a></sup> In 2020, Musk tweeted a call to "Take the <a href="/wiki/Red_pill" title="Red pill">Red pill</a> 🌹".<sup id="cite_ref-398" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-398">[376]</a></sup> The term "red pill" was popularized by the manosphere and absorbed into the larger <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a>. It is possible however that Musk was referring to the original use in the film series <i>The Matrix</i>, which would agree with his simulated reality belief. Years after <i>The Matrix</i> was released, the filmmakers revealed in 2016 that films were actually a reflection of their <a href="/wiki/Transsexuality" class="mw-redirect" title="Transsexuality">transsexuality</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-399" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-399">[377]</a></sup> Although the red rose in Musk's tweet is a symbol of <a href="/wiki/Social_democracy" title="Social democracy">social democracy</a>, Musk is known to be strongly against this ideology. </p><p>On March 6, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when vaccines were not available, Musk said, "The coronavirus panic is dumb".<sup id="cite_ref-400" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-400">[378]</a></sup> By March 17, state and local officials were ordering lockdowns to prevent further spread of COVID and the overburdening hospitals that did eventuate. On March 19, Musk stated, "Based on current trends, probably close to zero new cases in the US too by the end of April".<sup id="cite_ref-401" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-401">[379]</a></sup> Contrary to what the boy genius predicted, daily case counts have yet to drop to zero as of December 2021, and the daily peak was 218,000 in January 2021 before vaccines were widely available.<sup id="cite_ref-402" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-402">[380]</a></sup> By April, Musk was complaining about lockdowns.<sup id="cite_ref-403" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-403">[381]</a></sup> In May 2020, Musk opened his Fremont, <a href="/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a> Tesla factory in defiance of Alameda County health orders. As a result, he personally caused 450 COVID cases.<sup id="cite_ref-404" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-404">[382]</a></sup> </p><p>By July 2023, Musk's position on COVID-19 was considerably more <a href="/wiki/Crank" title="Crank">cranky</a> and in line with the <a href="/wiki/Anti-vaccination_movement" title="Anti-vaccination movement">anti-vaccination movement</a>, in line with his general tilt towards <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theories" class="mw-redirect" title="Conspiracy theories">conspiracy theories</a>. After basketball player <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronny_James" class="extiw" title="wp:Bronny James" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Bronny James">Bronny James</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> collapsed of cardiac arrest, Musk, without any evidence, tried to insinuate that the <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_vaccine" title="COVID-19 vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> may have caused this, stating that "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myocarditis" class="extiw" title="wp:Myocarditis" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Myocarditis">Myocarditis</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> is a known side-effect" of the vaccine. When Twitter users helpfully added a fact-check to this post that actually the risk of myocarditis is significantly higher from a COVID-19 infection than the vaccine, this fact check was removed.<sup id="cite_ref-BronnyJamesNote_29-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BronnyJamesNote-29">[24]</a></sup> Myocarditis also is not the most common cause of cardiac arrest in young athletes.<sup id="cite_ref-405" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-405">[383]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p><b>Tesla engineer</b>: "You mean, program the robot? Or design that tool?" </p><p><b>Musk</b>: "Did you fucking do this?" </p><p><b>Engineer</b>: "I’m not sure what you’re referring to? (apologetically) </p><p><b>Musk</b>: "You’re a fucking idiot! Get the fuck out and don’t come back!"<sup id="cite_ref-406" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-406">[384]</a></sup> </p> </blockquote> <p>After resigning, a Tesla employee returned to work just to say goodbye to colleagues. Musk shoved and threatened the employee by saying "I will <a href="/wiki/Nuke" class="mw-redirect" title="Nuke">nuke</a> you."<sup id="cite_ref-407" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-407">[385]</a></sup> </p><p>Regarding alleged rampant <a href="/wiki/Racism" title="Racism">racism</a> against <a href="/wiki/African_Americans" class="mw-redirect" title="African Americans">African Americans</a> at a Tesla factory, for which Tesla is being sued by the State of <a href="/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a>, Musk advised that victims of racism should get a "thick skin".<sup id="cite_ref-408" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-408">[386]</a></sup> </p><p>On a private jet, Musk allegedly offered a flight attendant a <a href="/wiki/Horse" class="mw-redirect" title="Horse">horse</a> in exchange for sex after he had exposed his erect penis and touched her. The attendant refused and was awarded $250,000 in an out of court settlement.<sup id="cite_ref-409" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-409">[387]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk told the UN he would donate much of his fortune to end world hunger if they told him exactly how they would spend it, and then, when they gave him precisely what he wanted, a detailed program explaining exactly what they would use his money for, <a href="/wiki/Moving_the_goalposts" title="Moving the goalposts">he refused</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-410" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-410">[388]</a></sup> Of course, he reneged on his part of the deal. </p><p>Musk has thought of himself as a <a href="/wiki/Utilitarian" class="mw-redirect" title="Utilitarian">utilitarian</a>. He once stated that the "Goal of government should be to maximize the happiness of the people."<sup id="cite_ref-411" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-411">[389]</a></sup> He has promoted the <a href="/wiki/Effective_altruism" title="Effective altruism">effective altruism</a> movement,<sup id="cite_ref-412" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-412">[390]</a></sup> and he used <a href="/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk" title="Roko's basilisk">Roko's basilisk</a> as a pickup line on someone who was his partner.<sup id="cite_ref-413" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-413">[391]</a></sup> </p><p>There is apparently an idea even in his own family that people in general loathe Musk. His brother Kimbal clearly knows it and understands why.<sup id="cite_ref-ball_394-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ball-394">[372]</a></sup> Following Musk's appointment to be co-head with <a href="/wiki/Vivek_Ramaswamy" title="Vivek Ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a> of the two-headed DOGE, Musk's own mother, Maye, felt compelled to defend him on <a href="/wiki/Fox_News" title="Fox News">Fox News</a>, saying:<sup id="cite_ref-414" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-414">[392]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-415" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-415">[393]</a></sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>I don’t like the word ‘wealthy’ or ‘billionaire’ or things like that because I think it’s degrading! I think he’s the genius of the world, and people are loving him for that! … They love him because of what he does, and they respect him. And I’m very proud of him.</div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>At least calling Musk a wealthy billionaire is a statement of fact. </p> <h4><span id="Musk's_addictive_personality"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Musk.27s_addictive_personality">Musk's addictive personality</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Musk's addictive personality">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Despite multiple studies showing that excessive work hours leads to <i>less</i> productivity overall,<sup id="cite_ref-416" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-416">[394]</a></sup> Musk self-promotes himself as a workaholic who is obsessed with working extremely long hours,<sup id="cite_ref-417" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-417">[395]</a></sup> and frequently expects his employees to do the same.<sup id="cite_ref-418" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-418">[396]</a></sup> Curiously, in spite of his self-styled "workaholic" image, Musk also manages to allocate excessively long hours posting to <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>. It is not unknown for Musk to go on tweeting binges for multiple hours on end, even exceeding 24 hour spans on occasion.<sup id="cite_ref-419" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-419">[397]</a></sup> In one alleged report, venture capitalist and Tesla board member Antonio Gracias once took Elon's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iPhone" class="extiw" title="wp:iPhone" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: iPhone">iPhone</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and locked it in a hotel safe in order to prevent Musk from engaging in an ill-advised late night tweeting binge. Musk later got hotel security to open the safe at 3AM just so that he could start tweeting again.<sup id="cite_ref-420" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-420">[398]</a></sup> </p><p>In early 2024, the <i><a href="/wiki/Wall_Street_Journal" title="Wall Street Journal">Wall Street Journal</a></i> reported an additional allegation that could explain some of Musk's erratic behavior in the 2020s: Musk is a frequent recreational drug user. While Musk is well-known for his love of <a href="/wiki/Cannabis" title="Cannabis">weed</a>, the report further alleged drugs used included <a href="/wiki/LSD" title="LSD">LSD</a>, <a href="/wiki/Cocaine" title="Cocaine">cocaine</a>, <a href="/wiki/MDMA" title="MDMA">MDMA</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ketamine" class="extiw" title="wp:ketamine" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: ketamine">ketamine</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-muskdrugs_421-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-muskdrugs-421">[399]</a></sup> Musk's propensity to take drugs was reportedly to the point where business associates and board members were worried that it would affect his career.<sup id="cite_ref-422" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-422">[400]</a></sup> In late 2022, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Ellison" class="extiw" title="wp:Larry Ellison" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Larry Ellison">Larry Ellison</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> allegedly went so far as to urge Musk to travel to his private Hawaiian island for a period of time in order to pause his work and "dry out" from drugs.<sup id="cite_ref-muskdrugs_421-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-muskdrugs-421">[399]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span id="Companies,_by_proxy"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Companies.2C_by_proxy">Companies, by proxy</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Companies, by proxy">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>Tesla has repeatedly rolled out new and potentially-dangerous (a not fully-functional 'auto pilot',<sup id="cite_ref-tesladeaths_423-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-tesladeaths-423">[401]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-424" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-424">[402]</a></sup> 'Insane' mode<sup id="cite_ref-425" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-425">[403]</a></sup>) or on-its-face features (driver-accessible video games<sup id="cite_ref-426" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-426">[404]</a></sup>) that are tested on existing car owners rather than going through extensive in-house testing.<sup id="cite_ref-gotmusked_389-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gotmusked-389">[367]</a></sup> Tesla has 3 times the number of driver deaths compared to other vehicles in its car class (BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes).<sup id="cite_ref-tesladeaths_423-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-tesladeaths-423">[401]</a></sup> </p><p>In 2021, Tesla was sued by six women who worked at Tesla factories, alleging that there was "rampant sexual harassment" and "nightmarish conditions" at the factories.<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui1_427-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui1-427">[405]</a></sup> The lawsuit alleged that the abuse is effectively encouraged by Musk's lewd tweets.<sup id="cite_ref-siddiqui1_427-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-siddiqui1-427">[405]</a></sup> A woman who was an engineer at SpaceX has also said that she suffered sexual harassment there and that there was rampant <a href="/wiki/Misogyny" title="Misogyny">misogyny</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-428" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-428">[406]</a></sup> </p><p>A former contract worker at Tesla was awarded $137 million in a discrimination suit against Tesla that had alleged <a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a> epithets, <a href="/wiki/Discrimination" title="Discrimination">discrimination</a> and a hostile work environment.<sup id="cite_ref-429" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-429">[407]</a></sup> </p><p>Being a <a href="/wiki/Whistleblower" title="Whistleblower">whistleblower</a> seems to be grounds for immediate termination at Tesla despite it being illegal for Tesla to do so.<sup id="cite_ref-430" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-430">[408]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-431" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-431">[409]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-432" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-432">[410]</a></sup> </p><p>As part of Musk's shambolic 2022 takeover of <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>, the entire Twitter office in Ghana was terminated except for one employee; this had been its only office in the entire continent of Africa. The employees were not mentioned by name and were not offered severance pay,<sup id="cite_ref-433" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-433">[411]</a></sup> thus they were being treated like objects and not like people. </p><p>In a rare ray of humanity behind Musk's wall of misanthropy, Tesla attempted to fully automate the production of Tesla Model 3 in 2018, thus getting rid of those pesky workers once and for all. It turned out to be a disaster with employees having to work overtime to fix the mess that the robots made. It was so bad that it was first known time that Musk admitted to ever being wrong.<sup id="cite_ref-434" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-434">[412]</a></sup> Musk even said, "Humans are underrated.",<sup id="cite_ref-435" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-435">[413]</a></sup> which means that <i>Musk</i> underrates humans. </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Self-serving_philanthropy">Self-serving philanthropy</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Self-serving philanthropy">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div role="note" class="hatnote">See the main article on this topic: <a href="/wiki/Charity" title="Charity">Charity</a></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Musk clearly has utter disregard for conventions around charitable giving, and he has all the altruism of a turnip. Why should he pay professional staff to run the foundation correctly – and even to create some charitable impact – since none of it really matters to him?</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Alan Cantor<sup id="cite_ref-cantor_436-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cantor-436">[414]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Musk likes to <a href="/wiki/Style_over_substance" title="Style over substance">project an image</a> of philanthropy, notably claiming that his for-profit companies are themselves philanthrophic,<small><sup>Do You Believe That?</sup></small> but half of all his charitable giving can be attributed to self-interest. Examples are:<sup id="cite_ref-437" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-437">[415]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-cantor_436-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cantor-436">[414]</a></sup> </p> <ul><li>Donating money to Cameron County and the city of Brownsville where SpaceX is headquarters, and doing so less than two hours after his SpaceX rocket exploded over the county. Some of the money that went to the city eventually went to business revitalization, that included a bar and upscale restaurants. Musk was effectively trying to entice employees to move to Brownsville, whose downtown had been described as dusty.</li> <li>Failure of his Musk Foundation to give away the required minimum amount each year.</li> <li>He founded a non-profit, gated school, Ad Astra, initially with only 14 students, all of whom are either his or those of SpaceX executives. After moving to Texas, half of the 50 students were related to SpaceX employees.</li> <li>Donations to the semi-non-profit <a href="/wiki/OpenAI" class="mw-redirect" title="OpenAI">OpenAI</a>, which has its own sociopathic end-product of ChatGPT.</li> <li>Under or unfulfilled promises of donations, and lack of focus (guided by tweets) for those donations that do not involve self-interest.</li> <li>Donations to rural schools through the <a href="/wiki/UN" class="mw-redirect" title="UN">UN</a> in Rwanda and <a href="/wiki/Kazakhstan" title="Kazakhstan">Kazakhstan</a> to help them gain internet access… through Musk's Starlink.</li> <li>Donating money to a charity to help a SpaceX customer and fellow-billionaire, Jared Isaacman, who didn't want to fork-up the money himself.</li> <li>One of Musk's major donations, which went to his Musk Foundation, saved him $2 billion in taxes.</li></ul> <h2><span id="Elon_and_the_terrible,_horrible,_no_good,_very_bad_Tweets"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Elon_and_the_terrible.2C_horrible.2C_no_good.2C_very_bad_Tweets">Elon and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Tweets</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Elon and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Tweets">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:202px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/a/ad/Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg/200px-Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="266" class="thumbimage" srcset="/w/images/thumb/a/ad/Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg/300px-Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/a/ad/Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg/400px-Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg 2x" data-file-width="530" data-file-height="706" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Elon_Musk_Marquis_de_Sade.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Musk in 2012,<sup id="cite_ref-438" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-438">[416]</a></sup> right before he told his friend not to come to school the next day.<sup>[<i>citation NOT needed</i>]</sup></div></div></div> <p>Despite being a rock star of scientific progress and innovation, a busy professional with a million things to do and a good understanding of the essential importance of good communication, Musk still finds time to tweet stupid shit every now and then. He apparently loves Tweeting so much, he bought 9.2% of Twitter, making him the single largest shareholder of the company.<sup id="cite_ref-439" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-439">[417]</a></sup> You might also notice Twitter has 11 board members, and 9.2% is more than 1/11th of the company, enough to permanently make yourself a board member without any voting necessary. Which is exactly what happened.<sup id="cite_ref-440" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-440">[418]</a></sup> </p><p>After taking over Twitter, Musk's tweets took a huge turn for the worse. Increasingly, Musk started directly promoting <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theories" class="mw-redirect" title="Conspiracy theories">conspiracy theories</a> on his feed (such as all but endorsing the <a href="/wiki/The_Great_Replacement" title="The Great Replacement">Great Replacement Theory</a> in late 2023)<sup id="cite_ref-441" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-441">[419]</a></sup> As CEO of Twitter, Musk went out of the way to amplify the voices of noxious <a href="/wiki/Trolls" class="mw-redirect" title="Trolls">trolls</a> like the conspiracy nutjob <a href="/wiki/Alex_Jones" title="Alex Jones">Alex Jones</a> or the <a href="/wiki/Manosphere" title="Manosphere">manosphere</a> grifter <a href="/wiki/Andrew_Tate" title="Andrew Tate">Andrew Tate</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-442" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-442">[420]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-443" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-443">[421]</a></sup> Musk simultaneously used his "free speech absolutism" to block (or even sue) organizations and individuals that were critical of him.<sup id="cite_ref-444" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-444">[422]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-445" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-445">[423]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's behavior on Twitter after he bought it was so extreme, it actually effected the reputation of the businesses he ran. In 2024, market intelligence firm Caliber reported that Tesla's "consideration" score in the United States (eg whether people would consider buying a Tesla car) fell from 70% in November 2021 to a low of 31% in February 2024, a decline that Caliber attributed in large part due to Musk's polarizing persona.<sup id="cite_ref-446" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-446">[424]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span id=""Marx_was_a_capitalist""></span><span class="mw-headline" id=".22Marx_was_a_capitalist.22">"Marx was a capitalist"</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: "Marx was a capitalist"">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>By the way, I am actually a <a href="/wiki/Socialist" class="mw-redirect" title="Socialist">socialist</a>. Just not the kind that shifts resources from most productive to least productive, pretending to do good, while actually causing harm. True socialism seeks greatest good for all.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Musk, bravely taking the controversial view that he likes good things, not bad things<sup id="cite_ref-447" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-447">[425]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p><b>Taylor Harris:</b> What would you proclaim yourself as? Anything specifically? </p><p><b>Musk:</b> A socialist </p><p><b>Musk:</b> <a href="/wiki/Marx" class="mw-redirect" title="Marx">Marx</a> was a <a href="/wiki/Capitalist" class="mw-redirect" title="Capitalist">capitalist</a>. He even wrote <a href="/wiki/Das_Kapital" title="Das Kapital">a book about it</a>. </p><p><b>Musk:</b> And I don’t trust that <a href="/wiki/Engels" class="mw-redirect" title="Engels">Engels</a> guy. He could have made up most of 2nd & 3rd volumes. Nobody actually knows.<sup id="cite_ref-448" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-448">[426]</a></sup> </p> </blockquote> <p>Musk makes the common mistake of mixing up Marxist socialism with modern welfare social democracy. While he may be somewhat right in his interpretation of Marxist socialism as "the greatest good for all", modern welfare social democracy concerns itself with reducing poverty and misery and funding a large range of basic social services without abandoning capitalism. In either case, he describes socialism in a way that neither makes sense in Marxist socialism nor modern welfare social-democracy "the kind that shifts resources from most productive to least productive, pretending to do good, while actually causing harm". This is a gross misrepresentation of Marxist socialism and doesn't remotely resemble modern welfare social democracy. And it's simply asinine to claim Marx was a capitalist simply because he wrote a book titled <i>Capital</i>. Was Hitler a <i>strugglist</i>, given the title of his own book? </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Unions">Unions</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Unions">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div role="note" class="hatnote">See the main article on this topic: <a href="/wiki/Trade_union" title="Trade union">Trade union</a></div> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p><b>Musk:</b> If you must know, I am a <a href="/wiki/Utopian" class="mw-redirect" title="Utopian">utopian</a> <a href="/wiki/Anarchist" class="mw-redirect" title="Anarchist">anarchist</a> of the kind best described by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iain_Banks" class="extiw" title="wp:Iain Banks" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Iain Banks">Iain Banks</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> [a leftist writer]<sup id="cite_ref-449" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-449">[427]</a></sup> </p><p><b>Cory Doctorow:</b> Iain Banks was an ardent trade unionist, @Elonmusk<sup id="cite_ref-450" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-450">[428]</a></sup> </p><p><b>Musk:</b> Iain certainly wasn’t pro-union in the Culture books. At all. And wouldn’t be in the case of Tesla. Banks was about <a href="/wiki/Freedom" class="mw-redirect" title="Freedom">freedom</a> through & through. Maybe for a single buyer (monopsony) vs single seller (monopoly), I would be too, but that’s a special case. </p><p><b>Doctorow:</b> Banks consistently endorsed the freedom of workers to form collective bargaining units. The existence of a <a href="/wiki/Thought_experiment" title="Thought experiment">thought experiments</a> in which this was obviated by eg <a href="/wiki/FTL" class="mw-redirect" title="FTL">FTL</a> [faster-than light travel] is by no means an indication that a marginal improvement in EV tech would have turned him into a strikebreaker </p><p><b>Musk:</b> I endorse freedom to form a union too, as well as freedom not to do so if they feel Tesla is a good company. UAW has major conflicts of interest & failed our car plant already when they abandoned us in 2010. Tesla can only hire 5% of applicants, so must be doing something right. </p><p><b>David Slack:</b> Unions don’t exist only at “bad” companies, Mr. Musk. They exist to provide workers with a voice to negotiate with management, insuring that conditions do not become intolerable or unsafe, that good companies do not become bad ones. Good companies should welcome unions. </p><p><b>Musk:</b> You think all companies are bad and all unions good? That’s a very bigoted position. </p> </blockquote> <p>Typical <a href="/wiki/DARVO" title="DARVO">DARVO</a> strawman tactic, taking someone's statement that unions help keep companies from drifting into becoming bad ones, and twisting it to claim they're saying all companies are bad. </p><p>In 2023, Musk stated: "I disagree with the idea of unions … I think the unions naturally try to create negativity in a company."<sup id="cite_ref-451" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-451">[429]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-452" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-452">[430]</a></sup> </p><p>In a 2018 post to Twitter, Musk threatened to pull the stock options of any workers who unionized at Tesla.<sup id="cite_ref-453" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-453">[431]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Boring_boneheads">Boring boneheads</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: Boring boneheads">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>After his flagship company, Tesla, posted a massive loss it could be imagined that analysts would want to know why. Musk was busy telling everyone that things were fine when he said: </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>"Boring bonehead questions are not cool. Next," ... "We're going to go to YouTube. Sorry, these questions are so dry. They're killing me."<sup id="cite_ref-454" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-454">[432]</a></sup> </p> </blockquote> <p>This briefly bummed out the investors and Tesla stock dropped 5% (about $3 billion).<sup id="cite_ref-455" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-455">[433]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Tesla">Tesla</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Tesla">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>In 2019, Musk tweeted that the company may go private. </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured.<sup id="cite_ref-456" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-456">[434]</a></sup> </p> </blockquote> <p>For whatever reason he did this (who knows?), he broke the law as it was of a speculative nature. While the company wasn't destined to go private, the market took the tweet seriously, and some investors lost millions in the speculation game. Investors initiated a lawsuit, which is still in the courts.<sup id="cite_ref-457" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-457">[435]</a></sup> Somehow Musk survived this colossally stupid move. Though in fairness, Tesla is currently worth about 10x what it was when Musk made that tweet; had he gone through with the deal it would've been the greatest business deal in modern history. </p><p>However, clearly, this wasn't enough. In 2020, while he was busy denying the serious nature of COVID-19, he also made a casual claim that his company was "over-valued".<sup id="cite_ref-458" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-458">[436]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>Tesla stock price is too high imo<sup id="cite_ref-459" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-459">[437]</a></sup> </p> </blockquote> <p>This led to a huge drop in market value with himself losing billions in value. It is unlikely any of this will stop Musk from making stupid, pointless, destructive comments in the future about the value or future of the company. </p><p>Tesla claims in its annual reports to shareholders that it's ethical and that it does "not knowingly accept products or services from suppliers that include forced labor or human trafficking in any form."<sup id="cite_ref-460" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-460">[438]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-halper_461-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-halper-461">[439]</a></sup> However, some materials that go into Teslas come from Xinjiang, <a href="/wiki/China" title="China">China</a>, where forced labor is rampant, and where there is a ban on imports of parts into the US (due to the <a href="/wiki/Uyghur_genocide" title="Uyghur genocide">Uyghur genocide</a>).<sup id="cite_ref-halper_461-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-halper-461">[439]</a></sup> It would seem to be either <a href="/wiki/Willful_ignorance" title="Willful ignorance">willful ignorance</a> or just plain <a href="/wiki/Hypocrisy" title="Hypocrisy">hypocrisy</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-halper_461-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-halper-461">[439]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Bigotry">Bigotry</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: Bigotry">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Transphobia">Transphobia</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=28" title="Edit section: Transphobia">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Musk, despite his brainchild Tesla being well-known for its inclusiveness of LGBTQ+ people,<sup id="cite_ref-462" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-462">[440]</a></sup> has also made quite a few attacks on the use of pronouns for non-binary individuals. After facing much backlash after infamously tweeting "pronouns suck",<sup id="cite_ref-463" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-463">[441]</a></sup> Musk went on to make the following even-more damning follow-up tweet a few months later: </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>I absolutely support trans, but all these pronouns are an esthetic nightmare.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2020<sup id="cite_ref-BI_464-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BI-464">[442]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>It also didn't help Musk's case that he additionally shared a <a href="/wiki/Meme" title="Meme">meme</a> of a soldier rubbing his face with bloody hands and a hat with the words "I Love To Oppress", with the caption ""when you put he/him in ur bio"<sup id="cite_ref-BI_464-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BI-464">[442]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-465" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-465">[443]</a></sup> The meme is known as "The Eternal Anglo"<sup id="cite_ref-466" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-466">[444]</a></sup> The term 'The Eternal Anglo' is based on the <a href="/wiki/Antisemitic" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisemitic">antisemitic</a> 1940 film <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eternal_Jew_(film)" class="extiw" title="wp:The Eternal Jew (film)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: The Eternal Jew (film)"><i>The Eternal Jew</i></span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> produced in <a href="/wiki/Nazi_Germany" title="Nazi Germany">Nazi Germany</a>. The Eternal Anglo meme is purportedly primarily used by <a href="/wiki/Fascist" class="mw-redirect" title="Fascist">fascistic</a> German and Slavic speakers to <a href="/wiki/Demonization" title="Demonization">demonize</a> English-speaking countries<sup id="cite_ref-467" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-467">[445]</a></sup> but has morphed into other usage within the larger <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a>. </p><p>In 2022, Musk's transgender daughter cut ties with him, saying "<i>I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form</i>". She has legally changed her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson.<sup id="cite_ref-468" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-468">[446]</a></sup> In response, Musk blamed <a href="/wiki/Political_beliefs_of_academics" title="Political beliefs of academics">"full-on communism" in universities</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-469" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-469">[447]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-470" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-470">[448]</a></sup> showing the typical right-wing ignorance of what <a href="/wiki/Communism" title="Communism">communism</a> actually is. </p><p>In April 2023, as if to demonstrate why his own child would want to distance themselves from him, Musk continued his anti-trans campaign by removing the Twitter policy against <a href="/wiki/Deadnaming" class="mw-redirect" title="Deadnaming">deadnaming</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Ortutay4182023_256-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Ortutay4182023-256">[240]</a></sup> In June 2023, he promoted <a href="/wiki/Matt_Walsh" title="Matt Walsh">Matt Walsh</a>'s anti-trans "What is a Woman?" <a href="/wiki/Schlockumentary" title="Schlockumentary">schlockumentary</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-471" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-471">[449]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-472" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-472">[450]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-473" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-473">[451]</a></sup> Further, he agreed with a post by <a href="/wiki/Jordan_Peterson" title="Jordan Peterson">Jordan Peterson</a> suggesting that transgender-affirming therapists should be imprisoned.<sup id="cite_ref-474" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-474">[452]</a></sup> Musk also announced that he will personally "be actively lobbying to criminalize making severe, irreversible changes to children below the age of consent".<sup id="cite_ref-RebStar_475-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-RebStar-475">[453]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-476" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-476">[454]</a></sup> He further agreed that <a href="/wiki/DropTheT" class="mw-redirect" title="DropTheT">"LGB" should be separated from "TQ+"</a>;<sup id="cite_ref-RebStar_475-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-RebStar-475">[453]</a></sup> a potentially peculiar statement since the Q (either "Queer" or "Questioning") is part of the LGB; in fact it encompasses all three of those. Further, Musk himself doesn't proclaim any sort of non-heterosexual identity and thus has little grounds to decide on such topics. </p><p>In July 2024, during an interview with <a href="/wiki/Jordan_Peterson" title="Jordan Peterson">Jordan Peterson</a>, Musk admitted that part of his motivation for his turn towards <a href="/wiki/Reactionary" title="Reactionary">reactionary</a> politics is due to his estrangement from Vivian. Musk claimed that Vivian (who, in the interview, he deadnamed once again) was "killed" by the "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a> <a href="/wiki/Meme" title="Meme">mind virus</a>" and claimed that he was "tricked" into agreeing to gender-affirming care procedures such as puberty blockers (which he falsely claimed were a "sterilization drug").<sup id="cite_ref-477" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-477">[455]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-478" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-478">[456]</a></sup> Vivian responded by slamming Musk as a largely absent father who berated her for exhibiting feminine traits and pressured her to appear more masculine. Vivian also slammed Musk's characteristics of gender affirming care, stating that they were lifesaving for her and other people with severe gender dysphobia, and that the requirements to be approved for taking puberty blockers as a minor were far more onerous than Musk characterized.<sup id="cite_ref-479" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-479">[457]</a></sup> A few weeks later, Vivian slammed a depiction of her in a 2023 biography / hagiography of Musk, claiming that the biography was "genuinely defamatory" and that she "was treated as a VILLAIN BACKSTORY-ORIGIN" in order "to get clicks" from <a href="/wiki/Reactionaries" class="mw-redirect" title="Reactionaries">reactionaries</a> addicted to "<a href="/wiki/Culture_war" title="Culture war">culture war</a> <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-480" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-480">[458]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Antisemitism">Antisemitism</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=29" title="Edit section: Antisemitism">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <div role="note" class="hatnote">See the main article on this topic: <a href="/wiki/Antisemitism" title="Antisemitism">Antisemitism</a></div> <p>In 2023, Musk continued to flirt with antisemitism. Shortly after <a href="/wiki/George_Soros" title="George Soros">George Soros</a> sold all of his Tesla stock, Musk targeted him not for selling the stock but by comparing Soros to the Jewish X-Men villain and <i>Holocaust survivor</i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto_(Marvel_Comics)" class="extiw" title="wp:Magneto (Marvel Comics)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Magneto (Marvel Comics)">Magneto</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> ("Soros reminds me of Magneto"<sup id="cite_ref-magneto_481-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-magneto-481">[459]</a></sup>) from Marvel Comics, and Tweeting:<sup id="cite_ref-magneto_481-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-magneto-481">[459]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-482" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-482">[460]</a></sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>You assume they are good intentions [of Soros]. They are not. He wants to erode the very fabric of civilization. Soros hates humanity.</div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>It doesn't help matters that antisemitic tweets greatly increased after Musk took over Twitter,<sup id="cite_ref-483" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-483">[461]</a></sup> which one must assume Musk is perfectly fine with since he eviserated the Trust and Safety team at Twitter.<sup id="cite_ref-484" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-484">[462]</a></sup> Within a few days that Musk claimed a free speech absolutist defense ("I mean, uh, freedom of speech. I’m allowed to say what I want.") for saying bigoted shit like this, he also censored remarks critical of <a href="/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdogan" class="mw-redirect" title="Recep Tayyip Erdogan">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> on Twitter in deference to <a href="/wiki/Autocratic" class="mw-redirect" title="Autocratic">autocratic</a> rule in <a href="/wiki/Turkey" title="Turkey">Turkey</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-485" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-485">[463]</a></sup> </p><p>In mid-November 2023, Musk agreed with a post from a Twitter account (with a long history of posting extremist, conspiracy tinged, bigoted content<sup id="cite_ref-486" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-486">[464]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-487" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-487">[465]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-488" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-488">[466]</a></sup>) that accused Jewish communities of pushing "dialectical hatred against whites" and spoke of an antisemitic, <a href="/wiki/Great_Replacement" class="mw-redirect" title="Great Replacement">Great Replacement</a> / <a href="/wiki/White_genocide" title="White genocide">white genocide</a>-like conspiracy theory that falsely asserted that Jews want to use "hordes of minorities" to displace the white population.<sup id="cite_ref-489" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-489">[note 23]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-490" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-490">[467]</a></sup> Musk's reply to this post was "You have said the actual truth."<sup id="cite_ref-ActualTruth_25-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ActualTruth-25">[20]</a></sup> This Tweet coincided with a report from <i><a href="/wiki/Media_Matters_for_America" title="Media Matters for America">Media Matters for America</a></i> (MMFA) detailing how advertisements for major brands were being placed within Twitter threads that praised <a href="/wiki/Adolf_Hitler" title="Adolf Hitler">Adolf Hitler</a> and <a href="/wiki/Nazis" class="mw-redirect" title="Nazis">Nazis</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-491" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-491">[468]</a></sup> Musk's antisemitic tweet combined with the MMFA report resulted in backlash from both the White House and the <a href="/wiki/EU" class="mw-redirect" title="EU">EU</a>, alarm from Jewish leaders and organizations, and departures of yet even more advertisers from the Twitter platform.<sup id="cite_ref-492" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-492">[469]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-493" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-493">[470]</a></sup> This was not the first time that brands suspended advertising on Twitter due to ads appearing next to pro-Nazi content; a similar incident occurred in mid-August 2023.<sup id="cite_ref-494" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-494">[471]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span id="White_supremacy,_fascism,_and_racism"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="White_supremacy.2C_fascism.2C_and_racism">White supremacy, fascism, and racism</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=30" title="Edit section: White supremacy, fascism, and racism">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <div role="note" class="hatnote">See the main article on this topic: <a href="/wiki/White_genocide" title="White genocide">White genocide</a></div> <p>Musk is so racist, that even his fellow racist <a href="/wiki/Steve_Bannon" title="Steve Bannon">Steve Bannon</a> thinks he's too racist (which is saying something): </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>He should go back to South Africa. Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on earth, white South Africans, we have them making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States?<sup id="cite_ref-495" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-495">[472]</a></sup></div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <p>After decades of mostly ignoring his natal country, Musk claimed that "They are openly pushing for <a href="/wiki/South_African_genocide_conspiracy" title="South African genocide conspiracy">genocide of white people in South Africa</a>" in 2023, based on a single political rally by the country's third-largest party, the Marxist-Leninist Economic Freedom Fighters, in which an apartheid-era song was sung that included the lyrics "shoot to kill", "kill the Boer" and "kill the farmer".<sup id="cite_ref-496" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-496">[473]</a></sup> </p><p>In November 2023, shortly after agreeing with an antisemitic oriented post that flirted with <a href="/wiki/White_genocide" title="White genocide">white genocide</a> conspiracy theories, Musk replied to an exchange between the <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a> <a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a> pundit <a href="/wiki/Jack_Posobiec" title="Jack Posobiec">Jack Posobiec</a> and the far-right Dutch <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_for_Democracy" class="extiw" title="wp:Forum for Democracy" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Forum for Democracy">FvD</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> politician/pundit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Vlaardingerbroek" class="extiw" title="wp:Eva Vlaardingerbroek" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Eva Vlaardingerbroek">Eva Vlaardingerbroek</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> In the thread, Posobiec complained that "white people are the only ones who are supposed to hate their own race in order to be considered good people... and white culture is the only one where hatred of it is considered a virtue".<sup id="cite_ref-497" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-497">[474]</a></sup> Vlaardingerbroek agreed with the sentiment, insisting that "everyone is allowed to be proud of their race, except for white people, because we’ve been brainwashed into believing that our history was somehow 'worse' than that of other races."<sup id="cite_ref-498" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-498">[475]</a></sup> These statements, of course, were obvious <a href="/wiki/Racist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racist">racist</a> <a href="/wiki/Loaded_language" title="Loaded language">loaded language</a> based on a perceived <a href="/wiki/Persecution_complex" title="Persecution complex">persecution complex</a> against whites, similar to such alt-right memes as <a href="/wiki/It%27s_Okay_To_Be_White" class="mw-redirect" title="It's Okay To Be White">It's Okay To Be White</a>. Of course, Musk completely agreed with the statements, replying that it was "time for this nonsense to end and shame ANYONE who perpetuates these lies!"<sup id="cite_ref-499" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-499">[476]</a></sup> <sup id="cite_ref-500" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-500">[477]</a></sup> </p> <h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Supporting_far-right_hooligans">Supporting far-right hooligans</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=31" title="Edit section: Supporting far-right hooligans">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4> <p>Musk and his Twitter platform played a significant role in the <a href="/wiki/2024_United_Kingdom_riots" title="2024 United Kingdom riots">2024 United Kingdom riots</a>. The genesis of these riots, which began in late July 2024, occurred when false rumors spread online that the suspect of a deadly mass stabbing event was a Muslim immigrant.<sup id="cite_ref-cnnriots_501-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnriots-501">[478]</a></sup> These claims were amplified by noxious far-right personalities such as <a href="/wiki/Nigel_Farage" title="Nigel Farage">Nigel Farage</a>, <a href="/wiki/Laurence_Fox" title="Laurence Fox">Laurence Fox</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Tommy_Robinson" title="Tommy Robinson">Tommy Robinson</a> (the later who was reinstated on Twitter in November 2023 after previously being banned for breaching Twitter's "hateful conduct" policy).<sup id="cite_ref-502" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-502">[479]</a></sup> Musk did his best to amplify the riots himself: he engaged with Robinson, tweeted exaggerated <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a> such as "<a href="/wiki/Civil_war" title="Civil war">civil war</a> is inevitable", and bizarrely compared UK authorities pursuing the hooligan perpetrators to "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a> <a href="/wiki/Stasi" class="mw-redirect" title="Stasi">Stasi</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-503" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-503">[480]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-504" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-504">[481]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-505" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-505">[482]</a></sup> Twitter was identified as one of the primary outlets that spread the misinformation that fueled the riots. Critics directly linked actions Musk took as CEO of Twitter to the riots, such as disbanding the trust and safety team and setting up a "blue check" system that allowed nefarious actors to boost disinformation <a href="/wiki/Propaganda" title="Propaganda">propaganda</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-cnnriots_501-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnriots-501">[478]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-506" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-506">[483]</a></sup> </p><p>In reality, the riots were hardly at the level of a "civil war" — they represented only a tiny minority of the UK population. The rioting was way out of step with UK public opinion. Even <a href="/wiki/Reform_UK" title="Reform UK">Reform UK</a> voters reacted negatively to the hooliganism.<sup id="cite_ref-507" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-507">[484]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-508" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-508">[485]</a></sup> The riots also amplified concerns that the far-right was now a significant threat to British society. A poll taken by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouGov" class="extiw" title="wp:YouGov" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: YouGov">YouGov</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> after the riots showed that 47 percent of Britons professed this belief. This percentage, up 15 points since the previous poll in February 2024, was nearly as high as the percentage of Britons identifying <a href="/wiki/Islamic" class="mw-redirect" title="Islamic">Islamic</a> extremism as a threat. <sup id="cite_ref-509" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-509">[486]</a></sup> By August 2024, many of the far-right hooligan gatherings were countered by much larger groups of anti-racism protesters that defended hooligan targets such as immigration centers.<sup id="cite_ref-510" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-510">[487]</a></sup> </p><p>Despite Musk being seriously out of step with Briton public opinion, Musk feuded with prime minister <a href="/wiki/Keir_Starmer" title="Keir Starmer">Keir Starmer</a> after he called Musk out on his <a href="/wiki/Bullshit" title="Bullshit">bullshit</a> "civil war" tweet. Backed by <a href="/wiki/Alt-right" title="Alt-right">alt-right</a> <a href="/wiki/Memes" class="mw-redirect" title="Memes">memes</a> shared by far-right agitators such as <a href="/wiki/Andy_Ngo" title="Andy Ngo">Andy Ngo</a>, Musk reacted to the news of police arresting violent rioters by bizarrely comparing Britain to the <a href="/wiki/Soviet_Union" title="Soviet Union">Soviet Union</a>. Musk also applied Soviet Union-style <a href="/wiki/Whataboutism" title="Whataboutism">whataboutism</a> to the government's decision to provide extra protection for mosques during the riots, wailing "shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on all communities?" at a time when such attacks were obviously not occurring.<sup id="cite_ref-511" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-511">[488]</a></sup> Musk even shared (and quickly deleted) a <a href="/wiki/Fake_news" title="Fake news">fake news</a> image that promoted a <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theory" title="Conspiracy theory">conspiracy theory</a> about the UK building "<a href="/wiki/Concentration_camps" class="mw-redirect" title="Concentration camps">detainment camps</a>" on the <a href="/wiki/Falkland_Islands" title="Falkland Islands">Falkland Islands</a> for rioters.<sup id="cite_ref-512" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-512">[489]</a></sup> </p><p>Predictably, Musk's support for hooliganism corresponded with a significant British increase in interest in Twitter competitors <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesky_(social_network)" class="extiw" title="wp:Bluesky (social network)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Bluesky (social network)">Bluesky</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threads_(social_network)" class="extiw" title="wp:Threads (social network)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Threads (social network)">Threads</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> including from <a href="/wiki/Labour" title="Labour">Labour</a> MPs who were seeking refuge from Twitter's increasing far-right toxicity.<sup id="cite_ref-513" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-513">[490]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-514" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-514">[491]</a></sup> In September 2024, data from Similarweb showed that active daily users of Twitter in the UK dropped from 8 million in 2023 to only 5.6 million at that time, with more than a third of that fall happening after the hooligan riots.<sup id="cite_ref-515" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-515">[492]</a></sup> </p><p>In 2025, Musk indicated his support for looting during the peak of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2025_Southern_California_wildfires" class="extiw" title="wp:January 2025 Southern California wildfires" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: January 2025 Southern California wildfires">January 2025 Southern California wildfires</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> by adding the <a href="/wiki/Clown_World" title="Clown World">Clown World</a> emoji to his reposting of a Twitter troll account that claimed that looting was legal.<sup id="cite_ref-516" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-516">[493]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-517" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-517">[494]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span id=""Pedo_guy"_lawsuit"></span><span class="mw-headline" id=".22Pedo_guy.22_lawsuit">"Pedo guy" lawsuit</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=32" title="Edit section: "Pedo guy" lawsuit">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>Musk's most ghastly batshit-insanity is the accusation of a child-rescuing hero of being a pedophile. While several young soccer players were stuck in a cave, Musk flew to <a href="/wiki/Thailand" title="Thailand">Thailand</a> and tried to offer help however he could.<sup id="cite_ref-518" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-518">[495]</a></sup> Regardless of whether or not his mission to help out was nothing but a PR stunt, it seemed his help was rather useless and was getting in the way.<sup id="cite_ref-519" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-519">[496]</a></sup> A semi-professional spelunker, Vern Unsworth helped bring the trapped children to safety.<sup id="cite_ref-520" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-520">[497]</a></sup> He was critical of some of Musk's efforts to help including criticism of the feasibility of Musk's proposed amazing-cave-submarine-child-rescue-awesome-mobile.<sup id="cite_ref-521" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-521">[498]</a></sup> Unsworth risked his life to reach the boys, comfort the scared children and rescue them.<sup id="cite_ref-522" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-522">[499]</a></sup> As thanks for this he was accused of being a pedophile by Musk.<sup id="cite_ref-523" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-523">[500]</a></sup> Musk's petty hissy-fit in the form of a vague accusation of pedophilia didn't go away even after Musk deleted the tweet and gave a half-hearted retraction.<sup id="cite_ref-524" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-524">[501]</a></sup> A week later, Musk sprayed a full out pedophile on social media...twice.<sup id="cite_ref-525" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-525">[502]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-526" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-526">[503]</a></sup> </p><p>In September 2018, Unsworth filed suit for defamation, with Musk somehow winning,<sup id="cite_ref-527" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-527">[504]</a></sup> despite none of his accusations having a shred of truth to them — the Private Investigator hired by Musk having <a href="/wiki/Scam" class="mw-redirect" title="Scam">scammed</a> him.<sup id="cite_ref-528" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-528">[505]</a></sup> The court was mostly hung up if Musk was just casually slinging the term or actually trying to defame Unsworth. </p><p>During the trial, he essentially defended his right to be a Twitter troll.<sup id="cite_ref-529" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-529">[506]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Doxing_federal_employees">Doxing federal employees</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=33" title="Edit section: Doxing federal employees">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p>In the middle of November 2024, Musk reposted two tweets that contained the names of federal government employees that he wants gone.<sup id="cite_ref-doxgov_530-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-doxgov-530">[507]</a></sup> This has terrified government workers, who fear not only losing their jobs, but being the targets of harassment and even violence by the Chief Twit and his horde of rabid fans.<sup id="cite_ref-doxgov_530-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-doxgov-530">[507]</a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Natalism">Natalism</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=34" title="Edit section: Natalism">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>If we are taking Musk at his word, one of his central concerns is that of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/natalism" class="extiw" title="wp:natalism" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: natalism">natalism</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> which he said was "the biggest issue in 20 years" as of 2019 (and he has since continued signaling his interest, often via Tweet).<sup id="cite_ref-PopMars_531-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-PopMars-531">[508]</a></sup> He believes that people should be having more children, and is himself the father of roughly a dozen.<sup id="cite_ref-532" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-532">[509]</a></sup> He sometimes expresses his natalist beliefs in totalizing and dramatic ways. For example, in a reply to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Vlaardingerbroek" class="extiw" title="wp:Eva Vlaardingerbroek" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Eva Vlaardingerbroek">Eva Vlaardingerbroek</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> he once claimed that a "major part of the fall of Rome was low birth rates".<sup id="cite_ref-533" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-533">[510]</a></sup> After which, he actually went <i>to</i> Rome to tell people to have more children.<sup id="cite_ref-534" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-534">[511]</a></sup> Musk claims that "population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming".<sup id="cite_ref-SmartPeople_535-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SmartPeople-535">[512]</a></sup> He has also insinuated that low birth rates are "a massive <a href="/wiki/Genocide" title="Genocide">genocide</a> of the next generation of humans", a result which he attributed "instrumentally" to overpopulation alarmist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_R._Ehrlich" class="extiw" title="wp:Paul R. Ehrlich" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Paul R. Ehrlich">Paul R. Ehrlich</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-536" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-536">[513]</a></sup> Despite his repulsion towards Ehrlich, Musk has something in common with him: draconian disregard for personal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bodily_autonomy" class="extiw" title="wp:bodily autonomy" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: bodily autonomy">bodily autonomy</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> While Ehrlich advocated mass sterilization,<sup id="cite_ref-RealNatal_537-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-RealNatal-537">[514]</a></sup> Musk has advocated stripping voting rights from childless people.<sup id="cite_ref-538" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-538">[515]</a></sup> </p><p>There is perhaps more under the surface here. Musk is more especially concerned that <i>people with high <a href="/wiki/IQ" title="IQ">IQ</a> scores</i> aren't having enough children.<sup id="cite_ref-539" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-539">[516]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-SmartPeople_535-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SmartPeople-535">[512]</a></sup> (He is himself "confident" in his own intelligence, and expresses a fear that the future will look like <i><a href="/wiki/Idiocracy" title="Idiocracy">Idiocracy</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-PopMars_531-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-PopMars-531">[508]</a></sup>) His concern, then, perhaps isn't quite that too few children are coming into the world, but that too few children with high-IQ parents are. This view of his has sometimes been derided as "hipster <a href="/wiki/Eugenics" title="Eugenics">eugenics</a>",<sup id="cite_ref-540" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-540">[517]</a></sup> or "low-key eugenic",<sup id="cite_ref-PopMars_531-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-PopMars-531">[508]</a></sup> and it isn't hard to see why. </p><p>Why Musk is so interested is debatable. He has indicated various reasons, and some of them appear dubious, such as his bullshit proclamation that Mars will need colonists.<sup id="cite_ref-low_65-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-low-65">[59]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-PopMars_531-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-PopMars-531">[508]</a></sup> <i>WIRED</i> speculated that it could be a cold, capitalist calculation about labor supply: more children, more workers.<sup id="cite_ref-RealNatal_537-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-RealNatal-537">[514]</a></sup> That would perhaps explain why Jeff Bezos,<sup id="cite_ref-541" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-541">[518]</a></sup> the late <a href="/wiki/Shinz%C5%8D_Abe" title="Shinzō Abe">Shinzō Abe</a>, and the villains from <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Live" class="extiw" title="wp:They Live" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: They Live">They Live</span></a></i><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> are mostly in agreement with Musk, at least. Assuming Musk's adherence to this sort of eugenic natalism is genuine, it may offer a certain <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/explanatory_power" class="extiw" title="wp:explanatory power" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: explanatory power">explanatory power</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> for some other positions he has taken, which could in fact be outgrowths from this central belief. For instance, <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#White_genocide" title="Elon Musk">his fear of a white genocide scenario</a> may (somewhat speculatively, but his engagements with the account @<a href="/wiki/Eyeslasho" title="Eyeslasho">eyeslasho</a> appear to support this<sup id="cite_ref-542" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-542">[519]</a></sup>) stem from <a href="/wiki/Racialist" class="mw-redirect" title="Racialist">racialist</a> anxiety towards reproduction by non-white, non-Asian people. His natalism also appears to have informed his views on birth control and abortion.<sup id="cite_ref-543" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-543">[520]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-544" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-544">[521]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's references to transgender medicine as "sterilization",<sup id="cite_ref-545" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-545">[522]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-546" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-546">[523]</a></sup> beyond their inaccuracy (at least for nonsurgical interventions such as hormone replacement),<sup id="cite_ref-547" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-547">[524]</a></sup> could possibly be another outgrowth from his eugenic natalism. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimes" class="extiw" title="wp:Grimes" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Grimes">Grimes</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> suggested it was indeed a factor (alongside a perceived dislike of "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a> culture"), and had a half-decent response invoking the existence of modern fertility interventions.<sup id="cite_ref-548" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-548">[525]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-549" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-549">[526]</a></sup> (For example: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/clomifene" class="extiw" title="wp:clomifene" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: clomifene">clomifene</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> has been successfully used to boost fertility in both transgender men and women,<sup id="cite_ref-550" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-550">[527]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-551" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-551">[528]</a></sup> and "extended sperm search and microfreeze" is reportedly effective for the latter.<sup id="cite_ref-552" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-552">[529]</a></sup>) </p><p>In reality, many of the root causes of the low global birth rates are actually a byproduct of human progress — notably advances in education and health, more freedoms and opportunities in society, and equal rights for women (along with some additional negative external factors like ballooning costs for raising kids).<sup id="cite_ref-553" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-553">[530]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-554" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-554">[531]</a></sup> However, <a href="/wiki/Ironically" class="mw-redirect" title="Ironically">ironically</a> for Musk (who significantly promotes "hardcore" working hours in his businesses), excessively long working hours have been additionally identified as a significant factor in reducing birth rates in studies of <a href="/wiki/South_Korea" title="South Korea">South Korea</a>, which has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-555" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-555">[532]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-556" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-556">[533]</a></sup> One Japanese company (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itochu" class="extiw" title="wp:Itochu" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Itochu">Itochu</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>) in 2010 banned late-night working and restricted overtime in an attempt to boost productivity. Not only was productivity successfully boosted, so was the internal birth rate within the company.<sup id="cite_ref-557" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-557">[534]</a></sup> Poor national policies that favor corporate work over the health and support of families (as in the <a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a>, a country which lacks federally mandated paid paternity leave, universal health care, and universal child care) may also contribute to low birth rates.<sup id="cite_ref-558" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-558">[535]</a></sup> A study by the <i>Economic Innovation Group</i> suggests that more flexible work options, such as the remote work that many companies were forced to implement during the <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic" title="COVID-19 pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, may have some limited positive effects on fertility.<sup id="cite_ref-559" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-559">[536]</a></sup> (Unsurprisingly, Musk <i>detests</i> remote work, calling it "morally wrong" in a May 2023 interview with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNBC" class="extiw" title="wp:CNBC" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: CNBC">CNBC</span></a>.<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>)<sup id="cite_ref-560" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-560">[537]</a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Donald_Trump">Donald Trump</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=35" title="Edit section: Donald Trump">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg/165px-Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg" decoding="async" width="165" height="124" class="thumbimage" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg/248px-Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg/330px-Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2162" data-file-height="1622" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Trump._Building_a_brighter_future_for_all._Endorsed_by_Elon_Musk._2024.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Cheap-ass billionaires Trump and Musk can't even pay for their own damn billboards</div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Merry Christmas to alll...none of which are as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their... Green New Scam... All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL... MERRY CHRISTMAS!</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Donald Trump bringing some holiday cheer on Christmas 2023, and sharing his frank opinion about Musk's core EV business.<sup id="cite_ref-561" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-561">[538]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Musk was very critical of <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a> until Trump became President. Musk then changed his mind and joined Trump initiatives including a council of business advisors and a project to promote manufacturing in the US.<sup id="cite_ref-562" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-562">[539]</a></sup> Musk's attacks on the media seemed in accord with Trump's complaints about <a href="/wiki/Fake_news" title="Fake news">fake news</a> and were supported by Trump's son <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump_Jr." title="Donald Trump Jr.">Donald Trump Jr.</a><sup id="cite_ref-563" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-563">[540]</a></sup> He also supported Trump's campaign to shift global tariffs on car imports and exports to be more favorable to American car exports.<sup id="cite_ref-564" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-564">[541]</a></sup> He left Trump's presidential council in June of 2017, citing Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.<sup id="cite_ref-565" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-565">[542]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk claimed to have voted for <a href="/wiki/Barack_Obama" title="Barack Obama">Barack Obama</a> twice (2008, 2012), Hillary Clinton (2016), and Joe Biden (2020), before supporting fascism from 2022 onward, starting with DeSantis<sup id="cite_ref-566" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-566">[543]</a></sup> continuing with Trump and <a href="/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany" title="Alternative for Germany">Alternative for Germany</a> in 2024.<sup id="cite_ref-567" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-567">[544]</a></sup> One is reminded of the villainous surgeon in the horror film <i>Get Out</i> trying to lure his victim into a feeling of trust, "By the way, I would have voted for Obama for a third term, if I could. Best President in my lifetime, hands down."<sup id="cite_ref-568" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-568">[545]</a></sup> As evidence of Musk's saying things that are politically expedient that he clearly does not believe in, in 2023 he pledged to the Chinese government that his companies would adhere to "'core <a href="/wiki/Socialist" class="mw-redirect" title="Socialist">socialist</a> values", so that he could avert an EV price war with China.<sup id="cite_ref-dua_49-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dua-49">[43]</a></sup> </p><p>By 2024, Musk had significantly shifted his politics towards <a href="/wiki/Trumpism" title="Trumpism">Trumpism</a>. As a result, after an assassination attempt on Trump, Musk quickly endorsed him and even said that he planned to support Trump's presidential bid with an undisclosed sum of cash.<sup id="cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-cnnallintrump-68">[62]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-569" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-569">[546]</a></sup> Musk even began appearing on stage with Trump at campaign rallies, and set up a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_action_committee" class="extiw" title="wp:Political action committee" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Political action committee">PAC</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> to directly campaign for Trump.<sup id="cite_ref-trumpallin_74-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-trumpallin-74">[68]</a></sup> During one rally, Musk enthusiastically jumped around Trump like an idiot.<sup id="cite_ref-570" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-570">[547]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's turn towards Trumpism naturally included <a href="/wiki/Other" title="Other">Other</a>-demonizing conspiracy theories. During the 2024 election campaign, Musk claimed on his <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> account, without evidence, that Democrats were trying to fill the country with undocumented immigrants, <a href="/wiki/Hypocrisy" title="Hypocrisy">such as himself</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-proudian_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-proudian-5">[5]</a></sup> who would subsequently reward them with permanent power.<sup id="cite_ref-trumpallin_74-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-trumpallin-74">[68]</a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Ironically" class="mw-redirect" title="Ironically">Ironically</a> given <a href="/wiki/Authoritarianism_of_Donald_Trump" title="Authoritarianism of Donald Trump">Trump's authoritarianism</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Authoritarianism" title="Authoritarianism">authoritarianism</a> of adjacent entities such as <a href="/wiki/Project_2025" title="Project 2025">Project 2025</a>, Musk also repeatedly warned that <a href="/wiki/Psychological_projection" title="Psychological projection">the 2024 race could be the last free election in America</a> should <a href="/wiki/Kamala_Harris" title="Kamala Harris">Kamala Harris</a> win.<sup id="cite_ref-trumpallin_74-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-trumpallin-74">[68]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Giving_a_Nazi_salute">Giving a Nazi salute</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=36" title="Edit section: Giving a Nazi salute">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div class="thumb tright" style="width: 416px;"> <div class="thumbinner"> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px"> <div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Nazi_detector.png" class="image" title="Nazi detector"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/8/84/Nazi_detector.png/200px-Nazi_detector.png" decoding="async" width="200" height="227" srcset="/w/images/thumb/8/84/Nazi_detector.png/300px-Nazi_detector.png 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/8/84/Nazi_detector.png/400px-Nazi_detector.png 2x" data-file-width="720" data-file-height="817" /></a> </div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear:left">Nazi detector </div> </div><div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px"> <div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png" class="image" title="Musk in 2025"><img alt="Elon Musk giving a Hitler Salute at the Trump inauguration" src="/w/images/thumb/b/be/Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png/200px-Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png" decoding="async" width="200" height="171" srcset="/w/images/thumb/b/be/Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png/300px-Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/b/be/Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png/400px-Elon_Musk%27s_Nazi_salute.png 2x" data-file-width="716" data-file-height="611" /></a> </div><div class="thumbcaption" style="clear:left">Musk in 2025 </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>While celebrating Trump's reelection on January 20, 2025, Musk gave the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_salute" class="extiw" title="wp:Hitler salute" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Hitler salute">Hitler salute</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> three times on television.<sup id="cite_ref-571" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-571">[548]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-572" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-572">[549]</a></sup> Despite the obvious modern-day meaning of the gesture, made doubly-clear during the first Trump term at, for example the <a href="/wiki/Unite_the_Right" title="Unite the Right">Unite the Right</a> rally, several organizations cut him slack for alleged ambiguity, giving him free reign to troll for Hitler: CNN’s Erin Burnett,<sup id="cite_ref-573" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-573">[550]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-574" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-574">[551]</a></sup> <i>The New York Times</i> calling the gesture ambiguous, "Elon Musk Ignites Online Speculation Over the Meaning of a Hand Gesture",<sup id="cite_ref-575" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-575">[552]</a></sup> and shockingly even the <a href="/wiki/ADL" class="mw-redirect" title="ADL">ADL</a> cut him slack, "It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge."<sup id="cite_ref-576" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-576">[553]</a></sup> </p><p>Many people, have said that this was an awkward gesture because Elon is <a href="/wiki/Autism" title="Autism">autistic</a>, to the horror and frustration of actually autistic people and therapists quickly calling these excuses as obviously wrong and ableist, something those who made the accusations<sup id="cite_ref-577" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-577">[note 24]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-578" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-578">[554]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-579" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-579">[555]</a></sup> actually perpetuate ableism by excusing awful behaviour by saying that’s just “being autistic”.<sup id="cite_ref-580" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-580">[556]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-581" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-581">[557]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-582" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-582">[558]</a></sup> To note that the reputation of autism is pretty awful and autistic people always have to denounce many stereotypes and misconceptions that constantly make life harder for them. Being a far right incel is one of those stereotypes.<sup id="cite_ref-583" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-583">[note 25]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-584" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-584">[559]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-585" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-585">[560]</a></sup> </p><p>Others have said that it was a 'Roman Salute', something which was the inspiration for the fascists salute in the first place. Some have also said that it was a <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute">Bellamy Salute</a>, an old gesture made during the pledge of allegiance, which in 1942 would be replaced with the “hand-over-heart” gesture specifically because of its resemblance to the fascist's salutes. When those defending Elon were asked to do the gesture if they claimed it wasn’t so bad, they would refuse. <sup id="cite_ref-586" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-586">[561]</a></sup> </p><p>This stunt actually led the Raphael Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention to issue a red flag alert for genocide in the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-587" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-587">[562]</a></sup> </p><p>To play <a href="/wiki/Devil%27s_advocate" title="Devil's advocate">Devil's advocate</a>, if Elon didn’t mean it to be a Nazi salute, him following it up by making Nazi jokes (which would be then condemned by the ADL) doesn’t help matters.<sup id="cite_ref-588" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-588">[563]</a></sup> He would also make his intention clear instead of leaving it ambiguous. It also doesn’t help when <a href="/wiki/White_Supremacy" class="mw-redirect" title="White Supremacy">white supremacists</a> like <a href="/wiki/Nick_Fuentes" title="Nick Fuentes">Nick Fuentes</a> and <a href="/wiki/Gab" title="Gab">Andrew Torba</a> celebrated the event, Musk refrained from disavowing or condemning them.<sup id="cite_ref-589" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-589">[564]</a></sup> </p><p>Musk's former friend, Philip Low, asserted Musk indeed meant it to be a Nazi salute, but added: "Elon is not a Nazi, per se. He is something much better, or much worse, depending on how you look at it. Nazis believed that an entire race was above everyone else. Elon believes he is above everyone else." He speculated on several alternative reasons Musk could have done it.<sup id="cite_ref-590" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-590">[565]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-591" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-591">[566]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-low_65-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-low-65">[59]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-592" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-592">[567]</a></sup> </p><p>In Dorothy Thompson's "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Goes_Nazi%3F" class="extiw" title="wp:Who Goes Nazi?" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Who Goes Nazi?">Who Goes Nazi?</span></a>"<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> essay appearing in <i>Harper's Magazine</i> some eighty years earlier, she describes one archetype who may come close enough: </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>It is an interesting and somewhat macabre parlor game to play at a large gathering of one’s acquaintances: to speculate who in a showdown would go Nazi. … Mr. G is a <i>very</i> intellectual young man who was an infant prodigy. He has been concerned with general ideas since the age of ten and has one of those minds that can scintillatingly <a href="/wiki/Rationalization" title="Rationalization">rationalize</a> everything. I have known him for ten years and in that time have heard him enthusiastically explain Marx, social credit, technocracy, <a href="/wiki/Keynesian_economics" class="mw-redirect" title="Keynesian economics">Keynesian economics</a>, Chestertonian distributism, and everything else one can imagine. Mr. G will never be a Nazi, because he will never be anything. His brain operates quite apart from the rest of his apparatus. He will certainly be able, however, fully to explain and apologize for Nazism if it ever comes along. But Mr. G is always a “deviationist.” When he played with communism he was a <a href="/wiki/Trotskyist" class="mw-redirect" title="Trotskyist">Trotskyist</a>; when he talked of Keynes it was to suggest improvement; Chesterton’s economic ideas were all right but he was too bound to Catholic philosophy. So we may be sure that Mr. G would be a Nazi with purse-lipped qualifications. He would certainly be purged.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—<i>Harper's Magazine</i>, 1941<sup id="cite_ref-593" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-593">[568]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Low, the CEO of NeuroVigil, and the son of a Holocaust survivor, had a more specific analysis of Musk's Nazi salutes:<sup id="cite_ref-low_65-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-low-65">[59]</a></sup> </p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span> <ol><li>He was concerned that the “Nazi wing” of the MAGA movement, under the influence of Steve Bannon, would drive him away from Trump, somewhere in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, rather than in the West Wing which is where he wants to be. He was already feeling raw over the fact that Trump did not follow his recommendation for Treasury Secretary and that the Senate also did not pick his first choice;</li> <li>He was upset that he had had to go to Israel and Auschwitz to make up for agreeing with a Nazi sympathizer online and wanted to reclaim his "power" just like when he told advertisers to "go fuck yourself". This has nothing to do with Asperger’s;</li> <li>There are some Jews he actually hates: <a href="/wiki/ChatGPT" title="ChatGPT">Sam Altman</a> is amongst them;</li> <li>He enjoys a good thrill and knew exactly what he was doing;</li> <li>His narcissistic self was hoping the audience would reflect his abject gesture back to him, thereby showing complete control and dominion over it, and increasing his leverage over Trump. That did not happen.</li></ol> </div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Backlash_against_Musk_in_Europe">Backlash against Musk in Europe</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=37" title="Edit section: Backlash against Musk in Europe">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>Musk's promotion of far-right political movements, attacks on elected politicians, and giving of a Nazi salute at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/second_inauguration_of_Donald_Trump" class="extiw" title="wp:second inauguration of Donald Trump" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: second inauguration of Donald Trump">second inauguration of Donald Trump</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> prompted an accelerated backlash against him across Europe.<sup id="cite_ref-McFall300125_594-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-McFall300125-594">[569]</a></sup> </p><p>A picture of Musk making the salute alongside the words "Heil Tesla" and the word "Boycott" alongside the Tesla logo were projected onto Tesla's Gigafactory in Berlin by Left-wing activist groups <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Led_By_Donkeys" class="extiw" title="wp:Led By Donkeys" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Led By Donkeys">Led By Donkeys</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> from the United Kingdom, and the Center for Political Beauty, from Germany. Musk reponded by tweeting, "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."<sup id="cite_ref-595" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-595">[570]</a></sup> </p><p>A dozen Tesla cars were torched in an arson attack outside a dealership in Tolouse, France. Eight Teslas were burned out and another four were badly damaged in a criminal act that investigators confirmed had been targeted at the vehicles and not at the premises.<sup id="cite_ref-596" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-596">[571]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Everyone_Hates_Elon">Everyone Hates Elon</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=38" title="Edit section: Everyone Hates Elon">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <p><b>Everyone Hates Elon</b> is a UK-based activist group founded following Musk's Nazi salute at the second inauguration of President Donald Trump which hit the headline by branding hundreds of Tesla vehicles in London with stickers saying "don't buy swasticars."<sup id="cite_ref-McFall300125_594-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-McFall300125-594">[569]</a></sup> </p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="People_vs_Elon">People vs Elon</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=39" title="Edit section: People vs Elon">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Elon Musk has used Twitter to amplify hate. Well, we’re turning every tweet into a weapon against the far right. Every time he tweets far-right talking points, he will trigger hundreds of small donations to groups fighting for a just and welcoming UK.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—People vs Elon spokesperson<sup id="cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mortimer270125-597">[572]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>People vs Elon is aimed at anyone who feels powerless watching the world’s richest man use his immense wealth and power to amplify far-right ideologies – from calling to free far-right activist Tommy Robinson to ‘make Europe great again’. I think lots of people across the UK have been desperate to stand up against this type of hate. It felt like people wanted do something tangible and immediate in protest.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Jack Steadman, People vs Elon<sup id="cite_ref-moss100325_598-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-moss100325-598">[573]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p><b>People vs Elon</b> is a UK-based fundraising campaign launched by Jack Steadman on 26 January 2025 which collects micro-donation pledges from donors for as little as 1p for every time Musk tweets and then uses those funds to support UK organisations campaigning for anti-racism, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ rights.<sup id="cite_ref-McFall300125_594-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-McFall300125-594">[569]</a></sup> It was inspired by #DefeatByTweet, which raised over $12m from Trump’s social media posts during his 2020 and 2024 election campaigns.<sup id="cite_ref-moss100325_598-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-moss100325-598">[573]</a></sup> With Musk tweeting approximately 2,000 times per month, a 1p per tweet would result in a £20 monthly donation.<sup id="cite_ref-moss100325_598-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-moss100325-598">[573]</a></sup> As of March 2025, the campaign has over 650 supporters and is projected to raise at least £100,000 in its first year. A number of organisations funded by the campaign have stated its importance. </p> <ul><li>Naomi Evans, Everyday Racism:<sup id="cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mortimer270125-597">[572]</a></sup></li></ul> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>As teachers we see first hand the impact of the far right rhetoric on social media and dangerous commentary from the likes of Elon Musk. We are working every day to counter it. People vs Elon is an antidote to his lies – thousands of microdonations that will help groups like ours to counter hate. </p> </blockquote> <ul><li>Georgina Laming, Director of Campaigns at Hope not Hate: <sup id="cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mortimer270125-597">[572]</a></sup></li></ul> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>Since buying X, Elon Musk has done more than just tweet – he has amplified far-right figures, spread harmful disinformation, and called for Stephen Yaxley Lennon (Tommy Robinson) to be released from prison. History has shown us that fascism can be defeated. But only when people come together and take collective action. That’s what we must do today. </p> </blockquote> <ul><li>Leila Zadeh, CEO of Rainbow Migration:<sup id="cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mortimer270125-597">[572]</a></sup></li></ul> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>We can’t let the richest man in the world poison our politics. He is seeking to demonise trans people and refugees as he continues to amass record wealth. Most people know their problems are caused by wealth hoarders and hatemongers, not trans people or people seeking safety. </p> </blockquote> <ul><li>Carenza Arnold, Women for Refugee Women:<sup id="cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mortimer270125-597">[572]</a></sup></li></ul> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>Elon Musk demonises refugees and amplifies misogynists like Andrew Tate. But polling shows the majority of the British public don’t like Elon Musk and his friends. Now we’re seeing the British people put their money where their mouth is – standing with women and refugees. </p> </blockquote> <h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Royal_Society_Rumble">Royal Society Rumble</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=40" title="Edit section: Royal Society Rumble">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:167px;"><a href="/wiki/File:MuskFRS.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="/w/images/thumb/0/06/MuskFRS.jpg/165px-MuskFRS.jpg" decoding="async" width="165" height="256" class="thumbimage" srcset="/w/images/thumb/0/06/MuskFRS.jpg/248px-MuskFRS.jpg 1.5x, /w/images/thumb/0/06/MuskFRS.jpg/330px-MuskFRS.jpg 2x" data-file-width="540" data-file-height="838" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:MuskFRS.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>FRS? FFS! How the hell did that happen?</div></div></div> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Elon Musk should be expelled from the British Royal Society. Not because he peddles conspiracy theories and makes Nazi salutes, but because of the huge damage he is doing to scientific institutions in the US.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Hinton" class="extiw" title="wp:Geoffrey Hinton" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Geoffrey Hinton">Geoffrey Hinton</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> on Xitter<sup id="cite_ref-davis030325_599-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-davis030325-599">[574]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Only craven, insecure fools care about awards and memberships. History is the actual judge, always and forever. Your comments above are carelessly ignorant, cruel and false. That said, what specific actions require correction? I will make mistakes, but endeavor to fix them.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Musk's response.<sup id="cite_ref-davis030325_599-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-davis030325-599">[574]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Society" class="extiw" title="wp:Royal Society" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Royal Society">Royal Society</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup></b> is the UK’s national academy of sciences. Founded in 1660, it is the oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world and has played a crucial role in the advancement of science.<sup id="cite_ref-stallard040325_600-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-stallard040325-600">[575]</a></sup> Concerns have been raised that Musk's conduct is not compatible with the continuation of his membership, to which he had been elected in 2018 as a "modern <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isambard_Kingdom_Brunel" class="extiw" title="wp:Isambard Kingdom Brunel" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Isambard Kingdom Brunel">Brunel</span></a>"<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup><sup id="cite_ref-davis230824_601-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-davis230824-601">[576]</a></sup> in apparent recognition of his work in the space and electric vehicle industries.<sup id="cite_ref-602" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-602">[577]</a></sup> </p><p>74 fellows wrote a letter to society president Adrian Smith in August 2024 raising doubts as to whether Musk was “a fit and proper person to hold the considerable honour of being a fellow of the Royal Society” following his <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#Supporting_far-right_hooligans" title="Elon Musk">support for far-right hooligans</a> during the <a href="/wiki/2024_United_Kingdom_riots" title="2024 United Kingdom riots">2024 United Kingdom riots</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-davis230824_601-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-davis230824-601">[576]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-jones251124_603-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jones251124-603">[578]</a></sup> Highlighting a key passage from the society's code of contact,<sup id="cite_ref-604" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-604">[579]</a></sup> the letter reiterated:<sup id="cite_ref-davis230824_601-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-davis230824-601">[576]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>When speaking or publicising statements in a personal capacity, Fellows and Foreign Members must still strive to uphold the reputation of the Society and those who work in it, and be mindful that what is said or stated in a personal capacity could still impact the Society. </p> </blockquote> <p>Oxford University Professor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_V._M._Bishop" class="extiw" title="wp:Dorothy V. M. Bishop" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Dorothy V. M. Bishop">Dorothy Bishop</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> one of those 74 signatories,<sup id="cite_ref-else130225_605-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-else130225-605">[580]</a></sup> resigned her fellowship in November 2024 citing concerns about Musk's persecution of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Fauci" class="extiw" title="wp:Anthony Fauci" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Anthony Fauci">Anthony Fauci</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> poor regulatory practice at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuralink" class="extiw" title="wp:Neuralink" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Neuralink">Neuralink</span></a>,<sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> promotion of vaccine hesitancy, climate change denial, spreading deep fakes and deep fakes and misinformation, and the bleak future for US science if given unfettered powers to cut budgets.<sup id="cite_ref-jones251124_603-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jones251124-603">[578]</a></sup> She stated:<sup id="cite_ref-606" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-606">[581]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>Any pleasure I may take in the distinction of the honour of [being a Royal Society fellow] is diminished by the fact it is shared with someone who appears to be modelling himself on a Bond villain, a man who has immeasurable wealth and power which he will use to threaten scientists who disagree with him. </p> </blockquote> <p>An open letter<sup id="cite_ref-607" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-607">[582]</a></sup> written by Imperial College Professor Stephen Curry and signed by nearly 3,500 members of the international scientific community expressed concern over "continued silence and apparent inaction" from the Society over Musk's fellowship, highlighting his endangerment of MP <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Philips" class="extiw" title="wp:Jess Philips" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Jess Philips">Jess Philips</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> with false accusation that she was a “rape genocide apologist” and stating:<sup id="cite_ref-jones120225_608-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jones120225-608">[583]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-else130225_605-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-else130225-605">[580]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-609" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-609">[584]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-610" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-610">[585]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>The situation is rendered more serious because Mr Musk now occupies a position within a Trump administration in the USA that has over the past several weeks engaged in an assault on scientific research in the US that has fallen foul of federal courts. It has sought to impose huge cuts in funding and a regime of censorship (particularly with regard to EDI and climate issues) that is a direct threat to freedom of expression and academic freedom. </p> </blockquote> <p>Edinburgh University Professor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Millar" class="extiw" title="wp:Andrew Millar" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Andrew Millar">Andrew Millar</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> resigned his fellowship in February 2025 citing the society's “inability to take proportionate action on Elon Musk’s current promotion of disinformation.”<sup id="cite_ref-jones120225_608-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-jones120225-608">[583]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-else130225_605-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-else130225-605">[580]</a></sup> Reiterating Bishop's concerns he stated:<sup id="cite_ref-611" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-611">[586]</a></sup> </p> <blockquote class="letter" style="width:auto; background:#f8f8ff; border:1px solid #C9C9CF;"> <p>These actions are not compatible with the conduct required of a fellow, and I do not want a fellowship that can include such actions. They undermine the purpose of the Royal Society. </p> </blockquote> <p>A March 2025 private meeting of over 150 fellows resulted in a public statement on "the need to stand up for science and for scientists around the world in the face of the growing challenges science faces,"<sup id="cite_ref-612" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-612">[587]</a></sup> and rumours that a letter would be sent to Musk.<sup id="cite_ref-stallard040325_600-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-stallard040325-600">[575]</a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="See_also">See also</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=41" title="Edit section: See also">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Nikola_Tesla" title="Nikola Tesla">Nikola Tesla</a> – from whom his company’s name came. Although ironically, Musk identifies more with Tesla's nemesis, <a href="/wiki/Thomas_Edison" title="Thomas Edison">Thomas Edison</a>, than with Tesla himself.<sup id="cite_ref-613" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-613">[588]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-614" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-614">[note 26]</a></sup></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Henry_Ford" title="Henry Ford">Henry Ford</a> – The past version of Elon Musk, with all of the anti-semitism and racism as well!</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Engineers_and_woo" title="Engineers and woo">Engineers and woo</a> – discussion of a highly-adjacent sort of arrogance</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Joe_Rogan" title="Joe Rogan">Joe Rogan</a> - his biggest fan.</li></ul> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="External_links">External links</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=42" title="Edit section: External links">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://elonmusk.today/">Elon Musk Today</a> — Bullshit Musk has said</li></ul> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Notes">Notes</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=43" title="Edit section: Notes">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="references-small" style="font-size:90%;"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-11">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">"Kekius Maximus" accompanied by an alt-right <a href="/wiki/Pepe_the_Frog" title="Pepe the Frog">Pepe the Frog</a> <a href="/wiki/Meme" title="Meme">meme</a> on a throne and referenced the alt-right terminology <a href="/wiki/Alt-right_glossary#Kek" title="Alt-right glossary">"kek"</a>, as well asl the fictional character "Maximus" from the film 2000 <i>Gladiator</i>,<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9">[9]</a></sup> which seemingly positioned himself as emperor of fictional <a href="/wiki/Alt-right_glossary#Kekistan" title="Alt-right glossary">Kekistan</a>. The real-world effect of this nonsense was a <a href="/wiki/Pump_and_dump" title="Pump and dump">Pump and dump</a> of cryptocurrency memecoins/scamcoins mentioning "Kek", particularly the "Kekius Maximus" coin.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10">[10]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-16">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">"Adrian Dittmann" is a Twitter ultra-fanboy of Musk with no known real-life identity and no photo image. Hany Fried, a computer science professor who studies digital forensics and human perception, peformed an analysis of 500 voices including Musk and "Dittmann"; Fried found that the two had very similar voice biometrics, making it very unlikely that they were not the same person<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12">[11]</a></sup> (though <a href="/wiki/Improbable_things_happen" title="Improbable things happen">improbable things happen</a>). Musk's mother also identified Dittmann's voice as that of her son's, supposing it to be a fake.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13">[12]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14">[13]</a></sup> Maia Crimew, a Swiss hacker, suggests Adrian Dittmann is the actual name of the account's owner, and provided evidence.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15">[14]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-18">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td><div style="padding:4px 50px;position:relative;"><span style="position:absolute;left:10px;top:-6px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">“</span><span style="position:absolute;right:10px;bottom:-20px;z-index:1;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#B2B7F2;font-size:36px">”</span>Their immigration status was not what it should be for them to be legally employed running a company in the U.S. We don’t want our founder being deported.</div> </td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding:4px 10px 8px;font-size:smaller;line-height:1.6em;text-align:right;"><cite style="font-style:normal;position:relative;z-index:2">—Derek Proudian, board member of Zip2, referring to illegal immigrants Musk and his brother Kimbal<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17">[15]</a></sup></cite> </td></tr></tbody></table></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-21">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Because much of his wealth is tied up in Tesla and SpaceX stock, both of which are difficult to assess the "true" value of, his "real" wealth is actually difficult to determine, although similar comments could apply to the worth of Bezos or of just about any other multibillionaire.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-22">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="/wiki/Vladimir_Putin" title="Vladimir Putin">Vladimir Putin</a> may-or-may-not be the world's richest person with $1 trillion in the conventional sense, but his cobweb of assets makes it difficult to determine. Given that Putin controls all of Russia, it could be considred that he has $75 trillion in an unconventional sense.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-48">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Sources about Elon Musk boosting the <a href="/wiki/Pizzagate" title="Pizzagate">Pizzagate</a> and <a href="/wiki/QAnon" title="QAnon">QAnon</a> conspiracy theories. <ul><li>Pizzagate: <i>The Hill</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30">[25]</a></sup> <i><a href="/wiki/The_Washington_Post" title="The Washington Post">The Washington Post</a></i>;<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31">[26]</a></sup> <i>Forbes</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32">[27]</a></sup> <i>Rolling Stone</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33">[28]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34">[29]</a></sup> <i>Independent</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-35">[30]</a></sup> <i>CNN</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36">[31]</a></sup></li> <li>QAnon in general: <i>Wired</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37">[32]</a></sup> Musk on Twitter<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38">[33]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39">[34]</a></sup></li> <li>Boosting QAnon figures and tropes: <i>New York Daily News</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-40">[35]</a></sup> <i>Forbes</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41">[36]</a></sup> <i>Euronews</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42">[37]</a></sup> <i>Newsweek</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-43">[38]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-44">[39]</a></sup> <i>Haaretz</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45">[40]</a></sup> <i>Daily Dot</i>;<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46">[41]</a></sup> <i>Media Matters for America</i><sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-47">[42]</a></sup></li></ul> </span></li> <li id="cite_note-85"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-85">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Musk, it would seem named one of his children after his grandfather, calling sproggen "X AE A-XII", though Musk will tell you some other bullshit.<sup id="cite_ref-84" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-84">[78]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-97"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-97">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Seriously though, there were a bunch of issues. First off, he insisted on keeping the site named "X", even though consumer surveys consistently showed that people thought it was a pornographic website. Also, he insisted that the company use Microsoft framework even though the rest of the board preferred Unix. Lastly, he's kind of a jerk and they got tired of his shit.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-98"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-98">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">If you're into space exploration, the videos of the rocket stages landing are pure nerdgasm.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-99"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-99">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Which itself was a petty, douche move by Musk. When Martin Eberhard was forced out of Tesla by Musk, the subsequent settlement stipulated that when the roadsters finally came out, Eberhard would get the first one off the line. Musk instead tried to keep it for himself, and rather than hand it over, he had it shot into space; he wound up giving Eberhard the third one, which had to be rebuilt after engineers had crashed it. See <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://youtu.be/DopFo1rjAr4?t=363">Debunking Musk, Pt 2</a> for more details and sources.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-114"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-114">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">At present, the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line connects O'Hare to downtown. Each train can carry upwards of 600 people and travel at a maximum speed of 50 mph. Musk's express service trains can only carry up to 16 passengers but can reach up to 150 mph. Furthermore, it takes around 45 minutes on the Blue but only 12 on the Express Line.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-117"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-117">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">There is, however, an alternative proposal that requires only mature technologies, namely the Chicago Crossrail.<sup id="cite_ref-116" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-116">[105]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-185"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-185">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Lou Paskalis, CEO of MMA Global, and a former senior vice president with Bank of America as an Enterprise Media Executive, among many other media leadership roles<sup id="cite_ref-184" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-184">[172]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-189"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-189">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Not that Musk impressed civil rights leaders much — the <a href="/wiki/NAACP" title="NAACP">NAACP</a> and other civil rights groups ended up calling for companies to boycott advertising on Twitter "until actions are taken to make (Twitter) a safe space".<sup id="cite_ref-188" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-188">[175]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-202"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-202">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Out of 3700, which in itself was down from 7500 full-time employees at the end of October 2022, before Musk's initial mass layoffs</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-216"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-216">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Reportedly this outage was caused by an employee who had deleted data for an internal service. The team that originally managed this service had left the company in November.<sup id="cite_ref-platformerfired_215-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-platformerfired-215">[200]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-260"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-260">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Exiting at the same time, Sweden's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sveriges_Radio" class="extiw" title="wp:Sveriges Radio" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Sveriges Radio">Sveriges Radio</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> instead cited declining audience reach as a reason for exiting.<sup id="cite_ref-259" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-259">[243]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-272"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-272">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Musk made this challenge despite Musk being 13 years older than Zuckerberg and reportedly out of shape. In addition, Zuckerberg reportedly was actively training in Brazilian jujitsu.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-275"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-275">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Rate limits were only 300 posts a day for new unverified accounts, 600 posts for all other unverified accounts, and 6000 for "verified" (read: paid for) accounts. This limit was later increased to 500, 1000, and 10,000. These numbers are much smaller than it may first seem, since quickly scrolling past a post counts as a view, and each reply to a post likewise counts.<sup id="cite_ref-techradarrate_274-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-techradarrate-274">[256]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-280"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-280">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Per the <a href="/wiki/New_York_Times" class="mw-redirect" title="New York Times">New York Times</a>, ad revenue in May 2023 was down 59 percent from a year earlier.)<sup id="cite_ref-279" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-279">[260]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-297"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-297">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Wikipedia was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_of_Wikipedia_in_Turkey" class="extiw" title="wp:Block of Wikipedia in Turkey" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Block of Wikipedia in Turkey">blocked in Turkey</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> beginning in 2017 when the organization refused to remove pages that the government found offensive. Rather than kowtow to Erdoğan, Wikipedia chose to take it to the courts. On December 26 2019, Turkey's block of Wikipedia was ruled unconstitutional.<sup id="cite_ref-296" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-296">[276]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-379"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-379">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Yaccarino's political positions are generally described as conservative by most sources,<sup id="cite_ref-371" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-371">[350]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-372" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-372">[351]</a></sup> and it is not surprising that the announcement was criticized by liberals concerned about her previous appointment by <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President%27s_Council_on_Sports,_Fitness,_and_Nutrition" class="extiw" title="wp:President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition">President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>, as well as some of the far-right figures she followed in her Twitter feed (such as <a href="/wiki/Libs_of_TikTok" title="Libs of TikTok">Libs of TikTok</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jack_Posobiec" title="Jack Posobiec">Jack Posobiec</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Powell" class="extiw" title="wp:Sidney Powell" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Sidney Powell">Sidney Powell</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup>).<sup id="cite_ref-373" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-373">[352]</a></sup> Yaccarino, however, is also affiliated with the <a href="/wiki/World_Economic_Forum" title="World Economic Forum">World Economic Forum</a><sup id="cite_ref-374" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-374">[353]</a></sup> — long a subject of derision among <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_theorists" class="mw-redirect" title="Conspiracy theorists">conspiracy theorists</a>. Additionally, in the past she made statements praising diversity at NBC and favoring <a href="/wiki/Face_masks" title="Face masks">face masks</a> and <a href="/wiki/Vaccines" class="mw-redirect" title="Vaccines">vaccines</a> during the <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic" title="COVID-19 pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, to the point where as a member of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Council" class="extiw" title="wp:Ad Council" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Ad Council">Ad Council</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup> she helped <a href="/wiki/Joe_Biden" title="Joe Biden">Joe Biden</a>'s administration create a <a href="/wiki/COVID-19_vaccine" title="COVID-19 vaccine">COVID-19 vaccination</a> marketing campaign.<sup id="cite_ref-375" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-375">[354]</a></sup> This caused many of the more reactionary and conspiratorial right-wing Twitter accounts to have a meltdown as well,<sup id="cite_ref-376" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-376">[355]</a></sup> with many of them taking to Twitter to scream the usual <a href="/wiki/Snarl_words" class="mw-redirect" title="Snarl words">snarl words</a> and <a href="/wiki/Conspiracy" class="mw-redirect" title="Conspiracy">conspiracy</a> memes (such as "<a href="/wiki/Globalist" class="mw-redirect" title="Globalist">globalist</a>", "<a href="/wiki/New_World_Order" title="New World Order">New World Order</a>", and "<a href="/wiki/Woke" title="Woke">woke</a>") at her.<sup id="cite_ref-377" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-377">[356]</a></sup> Many of these angry reactionary right tweeters also threatened to leave the platform, to the point where the "#RIPTwitter" hashtag once again trended.<sup id="cite_ref-378" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-378">[357]</a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-489"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-489">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Compare the sentiment to <a href="/wiki/Elon_Musk#Youth_and_skeletons_in_the_family_closet" title="Elon Musk">that expressed by Elon Musk's grandfather</a>. Even pop-pop's wording — "hordes of Coloured people" — is strikingly similar.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-577"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-577">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">akin to saying “the left is hypocritical for going after an autistic man”, never mind the fact that you can criticize people without being bigoted.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-583"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-583">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Common examples include <a href="/wiki/Elliot_Rodger" class="mw-redirect" title="Elliot Rodger">Elliot Rodger</a>, Alek Minassian. Irony being should the far right get its way <a href="/wiki/Aktion_T4" title="Aktion T4">they wouldn’t exist</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-614"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-614">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Also interesting is that he did not name the company "Tesla". It was incorporated in July 2003 as "Tesla Motors"; Musk did not become involved with the company until February of 2004. This is a recurring theme with Musk, rewriting history to give himself credit for things he didn't actually do.</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="References">References</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Elon_Musk&action=edit&section=44" title="Edit section: References">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:3; -webkit-column-count:3; column-count:3; font-size:70%;"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-1">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">(November 13, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4987984-house-senate-republicans-leadership-election/">Live updates: Johnson nominated for Speaker, Thune elected Senate GOP leader / Trump speaks on Elon Musk</a>. <i>The Hill</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-2">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/07/16/elon-musk-trial-analysis/">The two sides of Elon Musk: Liar or optimist? Troll or marketing genius? Icarus or Daedalus? A trial in Delaware highlighted the contradictions at the Tesla chief’s core.</a> by Will Oremus (July 16, 2021) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-3">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-insiders-users-calling-elon-musk-by-the-nickname-elmo-2022-11">Twitter insiders are calling Elon Musk by a new nickname, Elmo. It's spreading on the platform.</a> by Kali Hays (Nov 15, 2022, 4:44 PM PST) <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-4">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20221028073557/https://twitter.com/elonmusk">Elon Musk</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived from October 28, 2022).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-proudian-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-proudian_5-0">5.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-proudian_5-1">5.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/11/17/space-karen-elon-musk/">"A scientist’s viral tweet called Elon Musk ‘Space Karen’ — as a way to defend science"</a> by Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 2020 November 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-6">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r2708880">/* Errors processing stylesheet [[:Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css]] (rev 2708880): • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽background⧼/code⧽ at line 44 character 14. • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽background⧼/code⧽ at line 50 character 14. • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽background⧼/code⧽ at line 55 character 14. • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽background⧼/code⧽ at line 64 character 14. • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽color⧼/code⧽ at line 96 character 9. • Invalid or unsupported value for property ⧼code⧽color⧼/code⧽ at line 100 character 9. • Invalid media query at line 138 character 8. */ .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/elon-musk-changes-ex-name-to-harry-bolz-what-does-it-mean/articleshow/118146142.cms">"Elon Musk changes his X (formerly Twitter) profile name to Harry Bolz: What does it mean?"</a>. <i>The Times of India</i>. 2025-02-11<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2025-03-11</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Times+of+India&rft.atitle=Elon+Musk+changes+his+X+%28formerly+Twitter%29+profile+name+to+Harry+Bolz%3A+What+does+it+mean%3F&rft.date=2025-02-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fworld%2Fus%2Felon-musk-changes-ex-name-to-harry-bolz-what-does-it-mean%2Farticleshow%2F118146142.cms&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-7">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/elongated-muskrat">"Elongated Muskrat"</a> - Know Your Meme</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-8">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/C1IQb">Kekius Maximus @elonmusk</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 1 Jan 2025 01:31:22 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-9">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy53vz1qpx1o">Elon Musk changes his name to Kekius Maximus on X</a> by Tom Bayly & Patrick Jackson (January 1, 2025) <i>BBC</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-10">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/elon-musk-kekius-maximus-crash-99/">Elon Musk Sends Kekius Maximus Token Crashing By 99%</a> by Prashant Jha (January 1, 2025) <i>CCN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-12">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7280260035757154304/">Hany Farid’s Post</a> by Hany Farid (January 1, 2025) <i>LinkedIn</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-13">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/elon-musk-humiliating-burner-account-20012260.php">UC Berkeley professor tries to prove Elon Musk has humiliating burner account</a> by Stephen Council (Jan 3, 2025) <i>SFGate</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-14">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Maggie Harrison Dupré (February 20, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-accused-fake-persona">"Elon Musk Accused of Operating Fake Persona as 'Adrian Dittmann'"</a>. <i>Futurism</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-15">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">(January 5, 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://maia.crimew.gay/posts/adrian-dittmann/">"The Adrian Dittmann Story: the evidence, from A to Z, and righting the wrongs"</a>. maia blog.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-17">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/10/26/elon-musk-immigration-status/">Elon Musk, enemy of ‘open borders,’ launched his career working illegally. Investors in Musk’s first company worried about “our founder being deported” and gave him a deadline for obtaining a work visa.</a> by Maria Sacchetti et al. (October 26, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-19">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Aimee Picchi (January 8, 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-surpasses-jeff-bezos-richest-person-world/">"Elon Musk tops Jeff Bezos as the world's richest person"</a>. <i>CBS News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-20">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Chloe Taylor (March 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://fortune.com/2023/03/02/elon-musk-bernard-arnault-worlds-richest-person-tesla-lvmh/">"Elon Musk loses crown as world’s richest person—just 48 hours after regaining it"</a>. <i>Fortune</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-23">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Jessica Guynn (November 17, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2023/11/17/elon-musk-blasted-antisemitic-hate/71625895007/">"Has Elon Musk gone too far? Outrage grows over antisemitic 'actually truth' post"</a>. <i>USA Today</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-24">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">David Goldman (November 17, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/media/elon-musk-antisemitism-white-people/index.html">"Elon Musk agrees with antisemitic X post that claims Jews 'push hatred' against White people "</a>. <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-ActualTruth-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-ActualTruth_25-0">20.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-ActualTruth_25-1">20.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-antisemitic-comments-x-post-actual-truth/">"Elon Musk expresses support for antisemitic post on X, calling it "the actual truth""</a> by Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-26">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Adam Kovac (September 6, 2023; periodically updated). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://forward.com/news/550035/elon-musk-disturbing-comments-jews/">"Elon Musk has made some disturbing comments about Jews. Here's a list"</a>. <i>The Forward</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-27">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Clare Duffy (December 11, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/tech/elon-musk-x-promoting-alex-jones-after-reinstating-his-account/index.html">"Elon Musk’s X is encouraging users to follow conspiracy theorist Alex Jones after reinstating his account"</a>. <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FortuneGunman-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-FortuneGunman_28-0">23.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-FortuneGunman_28-1">23.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://fortune.com/2023/05/10/elon-musk-twitter-texas-mall-gunman-misinformation/">Elon Musk posted misleading tweets about the Texas mall gunman's long history of neo-Nazi views being a potential 'psyop'</a> by David Klepper & Associated Press (May 10, 2023 at 12:25 PM PDT) <i>Fortune</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-BronnyJamesNote-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-BronnyJamesNote_29-0">24.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-BronnyJamesNote_29-1">24.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/07/25/twitter-deletes-fact-check-of-musk-connecting-bronny-james-cardiac-arrest-to-covid-vaccine/">"Twitter Deletes Fact-Check Of Musk Connecting Bronny James’ Cardiac Arrest To Covid Vaccine"</a> by Antonio Pequeno IV, Forbes, 2023 July 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-30">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4331790-elon-musk-deletes-pizzagate-meme/">Elon Musk deletes ‘Pizzagate’ meme following widespread backlash</a> by Dominick Mastrangelo (11/28/23 4:22 PM ET) <i>The Hill</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-31">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/28/pizzagate-musk-twitter-x-controversy/">Elon Musk boosts Pizzagate conspiracy theory that led to D.C. gunfire: The far-right theory motivated a gunman to fire multiple rounds inside the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Northwest Washington in 2016. Musk boosted the theory to his 164 million followers anyway.</a> by Drew Harwell (November 28, 2023) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-32">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/28/elon-musk-endorses-debunked-pizzagate-conspiracy-theory-again/">Elon Musk Endorses Debunked 'Pizzagate' Conspiracy Theory—And Deletes Post</a> by Brian Bushard (Nov 28, 2023,12:53pm EST) <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-33">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-pizzagate-media-matters-1234889592/">Elon Musk Is Now Dipping His Toe Into Pizzagate: The owner of X can't stop engaging with vile conspiracy theories, even as advertisers flee the platform</a> by Nikki McCann Ramirez (November 20, 2023) <i>Rolling Stone</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-34">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-pizzagate-meme-twitter-1234902162/">Elon Musk Takes Flirtation With Pizzagate to the Next Level: The Twitter owner descends even deeper into the internet's most vile fever swamps by sharing a “Pizzagate is real” meme, which he later deleted</a> by Nikki McCann Ramirez (November 20, 2023) <i>Rolling Stone</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-35">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elon-musk-pizzagate-conspiracy-antisemitism-x-b2450960.html">Elon Musk amplifies Pizzagate conspiracy theory; It comes after Elon Musk came under fire for promoting an antisemitic conspiracy theory on X</a> by Martha McHardy (21 November 2023 11:07) <i>Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-36">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/tech/elon-musk-boosting-pizzagate-conspiracy-theory/index.html">Elon Musk is now boosting the ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory</a> by Clare Duffy (November 21, 20230 <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-37">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-qanon-2024-election/">Elon Musk Is Giving QAnon Believers Hope Just in Time for the 2024 Elections: Musk's recent use of the term “Q*Anon” is his most explicit endorsement of the movement to date. Conspiracists have since spent days dissecting its meaning and cheering on his apparent support.</a> by David Gilbert (Nov 28, 2023 10:38 AM) <i>Wired</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-38">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://nitter.net/elonmusk/status/1727493004133286284">AROUND THE WORLD CITIZENS OF EVERY COUNTRY ARE EAGERLY AWAITING THE RELEASE OF OUR MESSIAH, Q STAR / IMMANENTIZE THE ESCHATON SAM ALTMAN / LET THE Q STAR ERA BEGIN</a> by @growing_daniel (November 23, 2023) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from nitter.com). Followed by Musk's reply to @growing_daniel of simply "!"</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-39">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://nitter.net/elonmusk/status/1727493310606954897">Q*Anon</a> by Elon Musk (Nov 23, 2023 · 1:04 AM UTC) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from nitter.net).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-40">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/03/10/elon-musk-tweets-support-for-qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley/">Elon Musk tweets support for QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley</a> by Brian Niemietz (March 11, 2023 at 3:11 a.m.) <i>New York Daily News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-41">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/07/27/twitter-suspends-then-unsuspends-popular-right-wing-user-who-tweeted-image-of-child-sexual-abuse/">Twitter Suspends, Then Unsuspends, Popular Right-Wing User Who Tweeted Image Of Child Sexual Abuse</a> by Conor Murray (Jul 27, 2023,04:47pm EDT) <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-42">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/04/27/how-elon-musk-has-repeatedly-amplified-false-claims-and-boosted-disinformation-accounts-on">How Elon Musk has repeatedly amplified false claims and boosted disinformation accounts on Twitter</a> by Sophia Khatsenkova ( 27/04/2023 - 07:00) <i>Euronews</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-43">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-twitter-qanon-rabbit-bunny-1766607">Elon Musk Confuses Twitter With Rabbit Emoji, Some Say It's a Nod to QAnon</a> by Shannon Power (Dec 13, 2022 at 5:20 AM EST ) <i>Newsweek</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-44">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/qanon-followers-are-reading-elon-musks-white-rabbit-tweet-1766677">QAnon Followers Are Reading Into Elon Musk's White Rabbit Tweet</a> by Anders Anglesey (Dec 13, 2022 at 8:32 AM EST) <i>Newsweek</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-45">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-06-07/ty-article/.premium/elon-musk-boosts-antisemitic-blood-libel-on-twitter/00000188-9714-df21-a1b8-b79d7a5b0000">Elon Musk Boosts Antisemitic Blood Libel on Twitter: The Twitter CEO responded to an antisemitic conspiracy theory post, giving it legitimacy and views</a> by Ben Samuels (Jun 7, 2023) <i>Haaretz</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-46">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dailydot.com/debug/elon-musk-antisemitism-twitter-mel-gibson/">Elon Musk’s response to wildly antisemitic Mel Gibson tweet prompts outpouring of hate speech: It may be the worst tweet he'd ever replied to.</a> by David Covucci (Jun 7, 2023) <i>Daily Dot</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-47">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mediamatters.org/elon-musk/elon-musk-has-boosted-qanon-influencer-least-two-dozen-times-he-took-over-twitter-and">Elon Musk has boosted a QAnon influencer at least two dozen times since he took over Twitter and reinstated the account</a> by Alex Kaplan (03/20/23 4:22 PM EDT) <i>Media Matters for America</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-dua-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dua_49-0">43.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dua_49-1">43.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Shubhangi Dua (July 7, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/elon-musk-tesla-pledge-to-chinas-core-socialist-values">"Elon Musk pledges Tesla to China’s 'core socialist values' to avert EV price war"</a>. <i>Interesting Engineering</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-50"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-50">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">(October 4, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-welcomes-elon-musk-proposal-ukraine-settlement-denounced-by-kyiv-2022-10-04/">"Kremlin welcomes Elon Musk proposal for Ukraine settlement denounced by Kyiv"</a>. <i>Reuters</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-51"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-51">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Oliver Darcy (September 12, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/media/walter-isaacson-elon-musk-reliable-sources/index.html">"An explosive Elon Musk biography is just hitting shelves. But the book's acclaimed author is already walking back a major claim"</a>. <i>CNN Business</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-52"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-52">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/07/the-elon-musk-personality-cult-lives-strong">The Elon Musk personality cult lives strong</a> Felix Salmon (Jan 7, 2023) <i>Axios</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-53"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-53">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://orwellsociety.com/bursary/2022-winning-submission-the-cult-of-personality-of-elon-musk-by-quincy-de-vries/">The Cult of Personality of Elon Musk</a> by Quincy de Vries (2022 winning submission) <i>The Orwell Society</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-54">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.salon.com/2022/04/29/the-of-elon-musk-why-do-some-of-us-worship-billionaires/">The cult of Elon Musk: Why do some of us worship billionaires? Billionaires like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk are no different than other billionaires... except they have cults</a> by April 29, 2022 4:02PM EDT) <i>Salon</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-55">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230129192114/https://cyberbackpack.com/blogs/tesla-cybertruck-ev-blog/does-tesla-models-spell-s3xy-cars">Does Tesla models spell S3XY CARS?</a> <i>Cyber Backpack</i> (archived from January 29, 2023).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-56"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-56">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thesouthafrican.com/elon-musk-mars-mission-spacex/">Emperor Elon Musk? SpaceX founder clarifies if he’ll lead humans on Mars</a> <i>The South African</i> 13 March 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-57"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-57">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/10/16/elon-musk-reveals-his-love-of-anime-and-the-desire-to-build-a-mecha/#40964d805b42">Elon Musk Reveals His Love Of Anime And The Desire To Build A Mecha</a> <i>Forbes</i> 16 October 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-58"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-58">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><span class="archive_link"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1037976743963840512">Elon Musk on Twitter</a><sup>[<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://archive.is/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1037976743963840512">a</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1037976743963840512">w</a>]</sup></span> 7 September 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-59"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-59">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/01/13/elon-musk-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-largest-loss-of-personal-fortune-in-history">Elon Musk breaks Guinness World Record for ‘largest loss of personal fortune in history’</a> by Giulia Carbonaro (Updated: 13/01/2023) <i>Euronews</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-60"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-60">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-harambe-song/#iL5RH3a6yPqk">Elon Musk drops first SoundCloud track, 'RIP Harambe.' Yes, you read that right</a> <i>Mashable UK</i> 31 March 2019</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-61"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-61">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Robin Valentine (September 20, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.pcgamer.com/elon-musk-demanded-a-cameo-in-cyberpunk-2077-while-wielding-a-200-year-old-gun-i-was-armed-but-not-dangerous/">"Elon Musk demanded a cameo in Cyberpunk 2077 while wielding a 200-year-old gun: 'I was armed but not dangerous'"</a>. <i>PC Gamer</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-62"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-62">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://time.com/5688859/tesla-elon-musk-tweet-violated-labor-laws/">Tesla and Elon Musk's Tweet Violated Labor Laws Protecting Unions, Judge Rules</a> <i>Time</i> 29 September 2019</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-63"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-63">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/sep/10/tesla-workers-union-elon-musk">Tesla workers speak out: 'Anything pro-union is shut down really fast'</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 10 September 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-64"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-64">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2012/11/13/teslas-elon-musk-relishes-being-the-winner-not-loser.html">"Tesla’s Elon Musk Relishes Being the Winner, Not Loser"</a> by Phil LeBeau, CNBC, 2012 November 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-low-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-low_65-0">59.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-low_65-1">59.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-low_65-2">59.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-low_65-3">59.3</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.li/PkWxL">Philip Low on Elon Musk</a> by Philip Low, with additional commentary (January 24 at 7:56 AM) <i>Facebook</i> (archived from 28 Jan 2025 14:35:22 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-66"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-66">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/17/elon-musk-mission-mars-spacex">"Elon Musk's mission to Mars"</a> by Rory Carroll, Guardian, 20213 July 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-67"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-67">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/aug/09/elon-musks-journey-from-humanitarian-to-poster-of-rightwing-memes">"Elon Musk’s journey from humanitarian to poster of rightwing memes"</a> by Alex Hern, Guardian, 2024 August 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-cnnallintrump-68"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-0">62.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-1">62.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnallintrump_68-2">62.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/16/business/musk-trump-support/index.html">"Elon Musk is going all-in on Donald Trump"</a> by Chris Isidore, CNN, 2024 July 24</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-69"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-69">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/11/musk-x-feed-politics-trump/">"Elon Musk’s X feed becomes megaphone for his far-right politics"</a> by Faiz Siddiqui and Jeremy B. Merrill, Washington Post, 2024 August 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-70"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-70">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/13/trump-musk-x-climate">"‘The dumbest climate conversation of all time’: experts on the Musk-Trump interview"</a> by Oliver Milman, Guardian, 2024 August 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-71"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-71">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/01/02/who-is-tommy-robinson-why-elon-musk-is-posting-about-far-right-british-activist/">"Who Is Tommy Robinson? Elon Musk Champions Far-Right UK Activist—And Splits With Farage"</a> by Alison Durkee, Forbes, 2025 January 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-72"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-72">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-germany-far-right-afd-remarks-auschwitz-holocaust-remembrance-day/">"Elon Musk tells German far-right crowd the nation should move beyond "past guilt" ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day"</a> by Haley Ott, CBS News, 2025 January 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-73"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-73">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/world/europe/elon-musk-roman-salute-nazi.html">"What Elon Musk’s Salute Was All About"</a> by Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, 2025 January 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-trumpallin-74"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-trumpallin_74-0">68.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-trumpallin_74-1">68.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-trumpallin_74-2">68.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-trumpallin_74-3">68.3</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/4MnbZ">"Musk Is Going All In to Elect Trump"</a> By Theodore Schleifer, Maggie Haberman, Ryan Mac and Jonathan Swan, New York Times, 2024 October 11</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-75"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-75">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/22/vance-and-musk-trump-s-two-vice-presidents_6737316_4.html">"Democrats taunt Trump with ‘President Musk’ moniker"</a> by Alex Gangitano and Mike Lillis, Hill, 2024 December 29</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-76"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-76">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-promoted-coronavirus-misinformation-then-tested-positive-2020-11">"Elon Musk promoted coronavirus misinformation for months. Then his own infection kept him out of SpaceX's astronaut launch."</a> by Morgan McFall Johnsen, <i>Business Insider</i>, 2020 November 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-77">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/15/elon-musk-british-diver-thai-cave-rescue-pedo-twitter">Elon Musk calls British diver in Thai cave rescue 'pedo' in baseless attack</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 16 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-78"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-78">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/05/27/elon-musk-shares-fake-voltaire-quote-actually-from-neo-nazi/">Elon Musk Shares Fake Voltaire Quote Actually From Neo-Nazi</a> by Matt Novak (May 27, 2023,02:51pm EDT) <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-79"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-79">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/elon-musk-father-child-taylor-swift-disgust-creepy-1236140915/">"Elon Musk’s Offer to Father a Child With Taylor Swift Elicits Disgust: ‘You’re Creepy. Full Stop’"</a> by Todd Spangler, Variety, 2024 September 11</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-80"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-80">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/taiwan-fires-back-after-elon-musk-calls-it-integral-part-of-china/"><i>National Review</i></a>, Retrieved on September 13, 2023.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-81"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-81">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Chamlee (September 11, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://people.com/elon-musk-privately-regretted-pushing-paul-pelosi-conspiracy-book-claims-7968074">"Elon Musk Privately Said That Spreading a Paul Pelosi Attack Conspiracy Was Among His 'Dumbest Mistakes': Book"</a>. <i>People</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-82"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-82">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> Andrew Higgins (January 22, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://archive.today/2024.01.25-143524/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/world/europe/elon-musk-auschwitz-jewish-antisemitism.html">"Elon Musk, on Rehabilitation Tour, Calls Himself 'Aspirationally Jewish'"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-83"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-83">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190625223907/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1142890265369202688?lang=en">Accelerating Starship development to build the Martian Technocracy</a> by Elon Musk (1:20 PM - 23 Jun 2019) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 25, 2019).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-84"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-84">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/elon-musk-grimes-baby-names-meaning-b2385016.html">The meaning behind Elon Musk and Grimes’ children’s names, X AE A-XII and Y: The former couple have explained what the names mean and how to pronounce them</a> by Kate Ng (31 July 2023 15:43 BST) <i>The Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-86"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-86">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/technocracydiges00unse_37/page/n41/mode/1up?q=haldeman">American Needs No Part Of the Price System: An observation of our social trends indicates breakers and a smashup ahead. Only Technocracy is preparing.</a> by Joshua Haldeman (July 1940) <i>Technocracy Digest</i>, pages 6-7. (archived from 2013-06-19 12:46:56).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-benton-87"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-benton_87-0">80.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-benton_87-1">80.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-benton_87-2">80.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-benton_87-3">80.3</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-benton_87-4">80.4</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/09/joshua-haldeman-elon-musk-grandfather-apartheid-antisemitism/675396/">Elon Musk’s Anti-Semitic, Apartheid-Loving Grandfather: The billionaire has described his grandfather as a risk-taking adventurer. A closer read of history reveals something much darker.</a> by Joshua Benton (September 20, 2023) <i>The Atlantic</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-88"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-88">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> See the wikipedia version of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement" class="extiw" title="wp:Technocracy movement" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#477979 !important;" title="Wikipedia: Technocracy movement">Technocracy, Inc.</span></a><sup><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/12px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="12" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/18px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Wikipedia%27s_W.svg/24px-Wikipedia%27s_W.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="128" data-file-height="128" /></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-89"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-89">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2485067/pdf/jcca00035-0046.pdf">Joshua N Haldeman, DC: The Canadian Years, 1926-1950</a> (1995) <i>J. Can. Chiropr. Asso.</i> 39(3):172-186.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-90"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-90">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/841423491/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg0MTQyMzQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNjk1NTE2MzY2LCJleHAiOjE2OTU2MDI3NjZ9.LyXSj9wD9A7LKIXbxu3OXicb5KMY9bVJfsh__68lZuw">Technocracy Springs to Life With Big Splurge of Publicity</a> by John C. Rogers (March 18, 1942) <i>Buffalo Evening News</i>, page 37.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-dewet1-91"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dewet1_91-0">84.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dewet1_91-1">84.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200610150914/https://www.businessinsider.co.za/how-elon-musks-family-came-to-own-an-emerald-mine-2018-2">Elon Musk's family once owned an emerald mine in Zambia — here's the fascinating story of how they came to own it</a> by Phillip de Wet (Feb 28, 2018, 06:30 AM) <i>Business Insider</i> (archived from June 10, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-isaacson-92"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-isaacson_92-0">85.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-isaacson_92-1">85.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-isaacson_92-2">85.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-isaacson_92-3">85.3</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Elon Musk</i> by Walter Isaacson (2023) Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1982181281.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-dewet2-93"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dewet2_93-0">86.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-dewet2_93-1">86.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181203072109/https://www.businessinsider.co.za/elon-musk-sells-the-family-emeralds-in-new-york-2018-2">Elon Musk's family once owned an emerald mine in Zambia</a> by Phillip de Wet (Feb 22, 2018, 02:48 PM) <i>Business Insider</i> (archived from December 3, 2018).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-94"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-94">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future</i> by Ashlee Vance (2015) Ecco. ISBN 0062301233.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-barnett-95"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-barnett_95-0">88.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-barnett_95-1">88.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/23/we-live-in-a-climate-of-fear-graphic-novelists-elon-musk-book-cant-find-uk-or-us-publisher">‘We live in a climate of fear’: Graphic novelist’s Elon Musk book can’t find UK or US publisher: Darryl Cunningham blames fear of ‘legal consequences’ for reluctance to take on book, now only available in French</a> by David Barnett (23 Nov 2024 11.00 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-96"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-96">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.xprize.org/about/people/elon-musk">"Elon Musk"</a>. <i>Xprize Foundation</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-100"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-100">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Dorothy Cucci (December 2, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/peter-thiel-elon-musk-relationship-contrarian-book-max-chafkin-2021-9">"Peter Thiel thinks Elon Musk is a 'fraud,' and 6 other unexpected details about the billionaires' love-hate relationship"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-101"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-101">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Anthony Ha (August 6, 2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://venturebeat.com/business/private-rocket-company-spacex-gets-20m-from-the-founders-fund/">"Private rocket company SpaceX gets $20M from The Founders Fund"</a>. <i>VentureBeat</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-102"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-102">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45060553">NASA Names Astronauts For First Commercial Flights</a> <i>BBC News</i> 3 August 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-103"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-103">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/21/world/spacex-starship-explosion-success-failure-scn/index.html">Was the SpaceX launch really a ‘success’?</a> by Jackie wattles (4:58 PM EDT, Fri April 21, 2023) <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-104"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-104">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/spacex-starship-test-flight-set-launch/V5CPUBDYI5HWNC4J6KFPQPTARQ/">‘Rapid unscheduled disassembly’: SpaceX Starship explodes after test flight launch</a> by Natalie Dreier (April 20, 2023 at 12:25 pm PDT) <i>KIRO</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-105"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-105">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes">SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly'</a> by Josh Dinner (November 18, 2023) <i>Space</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-106"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-106">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Does-it-matter-if-founders-run-tech-companies-13258104.php">Does it matter if founders run tech companies?</a> <i>The San Francisco Chronicle</i> 26 September 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-107"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-107">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/2009/06/eberhard/">Tesla's Founder Sues Tesla's CEO</a> <i>Wired</i> 11 June 2009</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-108"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-108">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/openai-the-company-behind-chatgpt-what-all-it-does-how-it-started-and-more/articleshow/97297027.cms">"OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT: What all it does, how it started and more"</a>. The Times of India. January 25, 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=OpenAI%2C+the+company+behind+ChatGPT%3A+What+all+it+does%2C+how+it+started+and+more&rft.pub=The+Times+of+India&rft.date=2023-01-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fgadgets-news%2Fopenai-the-company-behind-chatgpt-what-all-it-does-how-it-started-and-more%2Farticleshow%2F97297027.cms&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-levy-109"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-levy_109-0">99.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-levy_109-1">99.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-faces-federal-probe-employee-backlash-over-animal-tests-2022-12-05/">Exclusive: Musk’s Neuralink faces federal probe, employee backlash over animal tests</a> by Rachael Levy (December 5, 20225:46 PM PST) <i>Reuters</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-110"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-110">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/2/18701197/elon-musk-thud-satire-startup-onion-launch-failure">Elon Musk wanted The Onion; he got Thud</a> by Jacob Kastrenakes (Jul 2, 2019, 8:30am EDT) <i>The Verge</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-111"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-111">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210817152113/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1000080833678528512?lang=en">Problem solved, was able to buy http://Pravduh.com! Game on</a> by Elon Musk (11:27 AM - 25 May 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from August 17, 2021).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-112"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-112">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://Pravduh.com">http://Pravduh.com</a> <i>Archive.org</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-113"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-113">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/6bd17bc052f54214bd19e0540d1bc112">The Latest: Musk Says O’Hare Express Line Could Open in 2021</a> <i>Associated Press News</i> 14 June 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-115"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-115">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ohare-expansion-20180904-story.html">Rahm Emanuel wanted to expand O’Hare airport and partner with Elon Musk on high-speed rail. Now what?</a> <i>Chicago Tribune</i> 4 September 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-116"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-116">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.midwesthsr.org/crossrail-chicago">Chicago Crossrail</a> <i>High Speed Rail Alliance</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-118"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-118">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/ces-las-vegas-boring-tunnel-tesla-traffic">Oh look, it's a Tesla traffic jam in Las Vegas' Boring Company tunnel</a>, <i>Mashable</i>, January 6 2022.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-gibbs-119"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-gibbs_119-0">107.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-gibbs_119-1">107.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/01/elon-musk-sells-out-boring-company-flamethrowers-fire">Elon Musk sells all 20,000 Boring Company 'flamethrowers': Stunt generates $10m for billionaire’s personal hobby despite warnings from Home Office and US politicians</a> by Samuel Gibbs (1 Feb 2018 05.58 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-120"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-120">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/22/dril-musk-twitter-future/">Twitter king Dril on Musk’s chaotic reign: The ‘patron saint of the internet’ tells The Post he’ll never pay for verification but will learn to code if Musk offers him a job</a> by Taylor Lorenz (November 23, 2022 at 5:00 a.m. EST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-121"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-121">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/10/tesla-autopilot-crash">Tesla drivers run Autopilot where it’s not intended — with deadly consequences: At least eight fatal or serious Tesla crashes occurred on roads where Autopilot should not have been enabled in the first place, a Post analysis finds, in spite of federal officials calling for restrictions</a> by Trisha Thadani et al. (December 10, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-122"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-122">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/tesla-under-fire-after-explosive-crash-n722541">Tesla Under Fire After Explosive Crash: In the wake of an explosive crash involving a Model S, the question arises as to whether Tesla’s battery technology is inherently safe.</a> by Paul A. Eisenstein (Feb. 18, 2017) <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-123"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-123">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44511200">Tesla on fire: UK director Michael Morris' car bursts into flames</a> (17<sup>th</sup> June 2018, 02:54 PDT) <i>BBC</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-124"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-124">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://insideevs.com/news/501729/number-tesla-vehicle-fires-2020/">Teslas catch fire at 1/10th the rate of regular cars</a> by Mark Kane (Apr 18, 2021 at 7:46am ET) <i>Inside EVs</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-125"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-125">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://sfist.com/2021/06/22/as-tesla-fires-require-outlandish-volumes-of-water-to-extinguish-firefighters-grapple-with-ev-batteries/">Due to Those Batteries, Tesla Car Fires Require Outlandish Volumes of Water to Extinguish</a> by Joe Kukura (22 June 2021) <i>SFist</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-126"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-126">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/14/tesla-crash-utah-driver-autopilot-mode-elon-musk">Tesla driver says car was in autopilot when it crashed at 60mph: Driver of Model S, which failed to stop at a red light and collided with a firetruck in Utah, told investigators she was using the semi-autonomous system</a> by Sam Levin (14 May 2018 19.24 EDT) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-siddiqui-127"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui_127-0">115.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui_127-1">115.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui_127-2">115.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui_127-3">115.3</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/06/10/tesla-autopilot-crashes-elon-musk/">17 fatalities, 736 crashes: The shocking toll of Tesla’s Autopilot: Tesla’s driver-assistance system, known as Autopilot, has been involved in far more crashes than previously reported</a> by Faiz Siddiqui & Jeremy B. Merrill (June 10, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-128"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-128">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/news/tesla-bitcoin-gains-bigger-than-car-sale-revenue-report-2021-2-1030103815">Tesla's bitcoin investment reportedly made more profit this year than car sales in the whole of 2020</a> by Theo Golden (Feb 20, 2021, 1:02 PM PST) <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-129"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-129">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tesla-sold-bitcoin-in-q1-for-proceeds-of-272m">Elon Musk's Tesla Sold Bitcoin in Q1 for Proceeds of $272M: Elon Musk's electric vehicle company purchased $1.5 billion in BTC in February.</a> by Nate DiCamillo (Apr 26, 2021 at 1:23 p.m. PDT; Updated May 8, 2023 at 8:18 p.m. PDT) <i>CoinDesk</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-130"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-130">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/16/elon-musk-suggests-tesla-is-dumping-bitcoin.html">Elon Musk clarifies that ‘Tesla has not sold any Bitcoin’</a> by Jessica Bursztynsky (May 17 20215:48 AM EDT) <i>CNBC</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-131"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-131">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36434628/tesla-bitcoin-wont-accept">Tesla Backtracked on Accepting Bitcoin, but There Are Car Dealers That Take It</a> by Clifford Atiyeh (May 16, 2021) <i>Car and Driver</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-132"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-132">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57096305">Tesla will no longer accept Bitcoin over climate concerns, says Musk</a> (13<sup>th</sup> May 2021, 01:56 PDT) <i>BBC</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-133"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-133">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.coindesk.com/buy-tesla-bitcoin-lemon-refund">You’re a Lemon if You Buy a Tesla With Bitcoin</a> by JP Koning (Mar 29, 2021 at 4:59 a.m. PDT; Updated May 8, 2023 at 8:17 p.m. PDT) <i>Coindesk</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-134"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-134">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tesla-bitcoin-payment">coindesk</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-135"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-135">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/technology/elon-musk-twitter-deal-complete.html">Elon Musk Completes $44 Billion Deal to Own Twitter</a> by Kate Conger and Lauren Hirsch (28 October 2022) <i>The New York Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-136"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-136">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/10/28/musk-twitter-racist-posts/">"Racist tweets quickly surface after Musk closes Twitter deal",</a> <i>The Washington Post</i> 28 October 2022.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-137"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-137">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/elon-musk-closes-deal-acquire-twitter-reports/story?id=92122221">"Elon Musk closes deal to acquire Twitter, fires top executives: Source",</a> <i>ABC News</i> 28 October 2022.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-138"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-138">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/twitter-verified-accounts_b_2863282">"Why Twitter Verifies Users: The History Behind the Blue Checkmark"</a> by Craig Kanalley, Huffington Post, 2013 March 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-139"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-139">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/9/23450289/twitter-impersonators-official-mario-musk-jesus-valve">"Mario flipped off Twitter for nearly two hours with the blessing of Musk’s ‘verification’"</a> by Sean Hollister, The Verge, 2022 November 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-140"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-140">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/09/fake-twitter-blue-check-lebron-musk/">"Fake Twitter accounts flock to blue check mark chaos"</a> by Taylor Hatmaker, Techcrunch, 2022 November 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-141"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-141">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thenational.scot/news/23114671.twitter-chaos-blue-tick-tony-blair-george-bush-iraq-posts/">"Twitter chaos over blue-tick 'Tony Blair' and 'George Bush' Iraq posts"</a> by Xander Elliards, The National, 2022 November 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-timeimpersonators-142"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-timeimpersonators_142-0">130.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-timeimpersonators_142-1">130.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://time.com/6229960/twitter-bans-accounts-elon-musk-impersonators/">"Twitter Bans Accounts Mocking 'Free Speech Absolutist' Elon Musk"</a> by Billy Perrigo, Time, 2022 November 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-143"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-143">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/11/07/elon-musk-twitter-comedy/">"Elon Musk’s Twitter is a safe space for bros who think they’re funny"</a> by Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 2022 November 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-144"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-144">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-impersonators-ban-6c5cc834a38a29a6fb38e4a85441a3a1">"Musk threatens to boot Twitter account impersonators"</a> by Frank Bajak, AP News, 2022 November 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-145"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-145">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/6/23443871/elon-musk-twitter-permaban-impersonation-parody">"Elon Musk’s response to fake verified Elon Twitter accounts: a new permanent ban policy for impersonation"</a> by Richard Lawler, The Verge, 2022 November 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-146"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-146">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/elon-musk-twitter-blue-check-rcna77603">"It looks like Elon Musk played himself with Twitter Blue"</a> by Zeeshan Aleem, MSNBC, 2023 March 31</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-147"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-147">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/31/23664923/twitter-verification-for-organizations-free-for-most-followed">"Twitter’s $1,000 checkmark will be free for the 10,000 most-followed companies"</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-148"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-148">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-blue-check-marks-2a9fbe4ea805763f50d4de2c417ce4ff">"Twitter celebs balk at paying Elon Musk for blue check mark"</a> by Matt O'Brien, AP News, 2023 March 27</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-149"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-149">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-blue-check-elon-musk-5b3d64e23ae21572ada42a0110e27c5e">"What’s happening with Twitter blue check marks?"</a> by Matt O'Brien, AP News, 2023 April 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FriedFish-150"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-FriedFish_150-0">138.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-FriedFish_150-1">138.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Sara Fischer and Ina Fried (April 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/21/musk-twitter-blue-checks-verification-celebrities-free">"Musk takes away blue checks, Twitter shrugs"</a>. <i>Axios</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-151"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-151">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Lauren Sforza (April 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3963163-blue-check-chaos-twitter-policy-spurs-confusion-and-scramble-to-prove-authenticity/">"Blue check chaos: Twitter policy spurs confusion and scramble to prove authenticity"</a>. <i>The Hill</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-152"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-152">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Nicole Carpenter (April 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.polygon.com/23693433/twitter-blue-check-stephen-king-lebron-james-elon-musk">"Twitter's de-verification debacle, explained"</a>. <i>Polygon</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-153"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-153">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-elon-musk-blue-checkmark-celebrities-544cfd66ed3a62f51a8a80c20e11ac5b">"Confusion as Musk’s Twitter yanks blue checks from agencies"</a> by Matt O'Brien and Kathleen Foody, Associated Press, 2023 April 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-154"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-154">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Daysia Tolentino (April 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/fake-accounts-pop-twitter-legacy-blue-check-removals-rcna80833">"Fake accounts pop up on Twitter following legacy blue check removals"</a>. <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-AMere28Independent-155"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-0">143.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-1">143.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-AMere28Independent_155-2">143.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Ariana Baio (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/twitter-elon-musk-blue-check-accounts-b2324909.html">"Only 28 legacy verified users signed up for Twitter Blue hours after Elon Musk took away their checkmarks"</a>. <i>The Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-156"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-156">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Chance Townsend (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/twitter-blue-28-signups">"Twitter Blue nets 28 signups so far since legacy checkmark purge"</a>. <i>Mashable</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-157"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-157">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Kari Paul (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/21/elon-musk-twitter-blue-rollout">"Fake accounts, chaos and few sign-ups: the first day of Twitter Blue was messy"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-158"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-158">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Barbara Ortutay (April 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-blue-check-marks-elon-musk-pay-celebrities-c8bc4520e7e739ca3c5376817ab82b25">"Twitter begins removing blue checks from users who don't pay"</a>. <i>The Associated Press</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-159"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-159">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-twitter-blue-advertisers-required-1850361922">"Twitter Demands Advertisers Pay for a Blue Check or Spend $1,000 a Month"</a> by Thomas Germain, Gizmodo, 2023 April 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-160"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-160">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/block-the-blue-twitter-campaign-dril">"Dril and other Twitter power users begin campaign to 'Block the Blue' paid checkmarks"</a> by Matt Binder, Mashable, 2023 April 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-161"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-161">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/22/block-the-blue-twitter-verified/">"Twitter users #BlockTheBlue as ‘verified’ accounts take on new meaning"</a> by Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 2023 April 22</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-162"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-162">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Matt Novak (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/04/22/elon-musk-made-the-twitter-checkmark-a-digital-dunce-cap/">"Elon Musk Made The Twitter Checkmark A Digital Dunce Cap"</a>. <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-163"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-163">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">William Hughes (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.avclub.com/celebrities-now-working-to-remove-their-apparently-mand-1850366148">"Celebrities, including dril, now working to remove their apparently mandatory Twitter checkmarks"</a>. <i>The A.V. Club</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-164"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-164">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Mike Pearl (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/twitter-verifies-dril-mashable-block-the-blue">"Twitter gives dril a spite checkmark"</a>. <i>Mashable</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-165"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-165">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Althea Legaspi (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitter-blue-badges-added-to-celebrity-accounts-without-subscription-1234722041/">"Twitter Users With a Million Followers Are Getting 'Paid' Blue Checks, Like It or Not"</a>. <i>Rolling Stone</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-166"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-166">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Zoe Kleinman (April 23, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65365366">"Twitter restores blue tick to high profile accounts"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-167"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-167">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-blue-adding-a-verified-check-mark-to-dead-celebrities-2023-4">"Twitter is adding verified check marks to the accounts of dead celebrities, making them look like paid Twitter Blue subscribers"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-168"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-168">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tony-la-russa-twitter-lawsuit-63155/">Tony La Russa Twitter lawsuit settled.</a> <i>The Hollywood Reporter</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-169"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-169">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musk-curses-out-advertisers-who-left-x-over-antisemitic-content-2023-11-29/">"Elon Musk curses out advertisers who left X over antisemitic content"</a> by Sheila Dang, Reuters, 2023 November 30</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-170"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-170">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-responds-hillary-clinton-paul-pelosi-attack-rumor-2022-10">"Musk responds to Clinton after she links GOP 'hate and deranged conspiracy theories' to Paul Pelosi attack"</a> by Katie Balevic, Business Insider, 2022 October 30</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-HillPelosiConspiracyTheory-171"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-HillPelosiConspiracyTheory_171-0">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3711430-musk-tweets-at-hillary-clinton-suggesting-conspiracy-surrounding-paul-pelosi-attack/">"Musk tweets at Hillary Clinton suggesting conspiracy surrounding Paul Pelosi attack"</a> by Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 2022 October 30</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-172"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-172">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Chamlee (September 11, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://people.com/elon-musk-privately-regretted-pushing-paul-pelosi-conspiracy-book-claims-7968074">"Elon Musk Privately Said That Spreading a Paul Pelosi Attack Conspiracy Was Among His 'Dumbest Mistakes': Book"</a>. <i>People</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-173"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-173">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Jyoti Mann (January 29, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-apologizes-tweeting-baseless-paul-pelosi-conspiracy-theory-2023-1">"Elon Musk apologizes for tweeting a baseless conspiracy theory about the attack on Paul Pelosi"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-174"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-174">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262407/elon-musk-red-pill-far-right-twitter-tesla-spacex">"Elon Musk is playing Twitter footsie with the fringe right"</a> by Russell Brandom, The Verge, 2020 May 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-175"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-175">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-wading-into-politics-stop-woke-mind-virus-2022-5">"Elon Musk says he's wading into politics to stop the 'woke mind virus' from destroying civilization"</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-176"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-176">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://time.com/6226238/twitter-elon-musk-right-wing-influencers-politicians-celebrate/">"As Elon Musk Buys Twitter, the Right Is Celebrating"</a> by Nik Popli, Time, 2022 October 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-177"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-177">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bannerflow.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-brand-safety/">"Brand Safety: The Ultimate Guide"</a>, Bannerflow</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-178"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-178">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/03/general-mills-twitter-ads-halt-musk-takeover">"General Mills latest to halt Twitter ads as Musk takeover sparks brand exodus"</a> by Kari Paul, Guardian, 2022 November 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-179"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-179">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Hanna Ziady, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://lite.cnn.com/2024/09/05/business/advertisers-x-withdrawal/index.html">Advertisers plan to withdraw from X in record numbers</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a></i>, 5 September 2024.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-180"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-180">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gizmodo.com/twitter-eli-lilly-elon-musk-insulin-1849779323">"How Much Did Twitter's Verification Chaos Cost Insulin Maker Eli Lilly and Twitter Itself?"</a> by Kyle Barr, Gizmodo, 2022 November 14</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-181"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-181">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/14/twitter-fake-eli-lilly/">"A fake tweet sparked panic at Eli Lilly and may have cost Twitter millions"</a> by Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 2022 November 14</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-182"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-182">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/04/elon-musk-says-twitter-has-had-massive-revenue-drop.html">"Elon Musk says Twitter has had ‘massive’ revenue drop as advertisers pause spending"</a> by Annie Palmer and Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2022 November 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-183"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-183">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/AZOfg">"Thank you. A thermonuclear name & shame is exactly what will happen if this continues."</a>, Elon Musk, Twitter, @elonmusk, 2022 November 4, archived on 2022 November 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-184"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-184">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/loupaskalis">Lou Paskalis</a>, LinkedIn page</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-186"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-186">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thewrap.com/elon-musk-blocked-twitter-advertiser-content-moderation/">"Elon Musk Blocks Top Marketer Who Questioned Twitter’s Retreat From Content Moderation"</a> by Loree Seitz, The Wrap, 2022 November 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-187"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-187">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/right-wingers-turning-elon-musk-moderation-1234623259/">"Right-Wingers Are Already Turning on Elon Musk"</a> by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 2022 November 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-188"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-188">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.engadget.com/twitter-losing-advertisers-boycott-193748977.html">"Advertisers continue to flee Twitter as civil rights groups call for a boycott"</a> by K. Bell, Engadget, 2022 November 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-190"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-190">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-actions-twitter-already-angering-conservatives-1756659">"Elon Musk's Actions on Twitter Are Already Angering Conservatives"</a> by Giulia Carbonaro, Newsweek, 2022 November 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-191"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-191">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-twitter-employee-bias-yoel-roth-2020-5">"Trump is attacking a Twitter employee over the company's decision to fact-check him because the employee criticized Trump in past tweets"</a> by Aaron Holmes, Business Insider, 2020 May 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-192"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-192">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90809471/the-email-elon-musk-just-sent-to-twitter-employees-is-a-masterclass-in-how-not-to-communicate">"The email Elon Musk just sent to Twitter employees is a masterclass in how not to communicate"</a> by Chris Stokel-Walker, FastCompany, 2022 November 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-193"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-193">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">[<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-email-ends-remote-work-twitter-staff-office-2022-11">https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-email-ends-remote-work-twitter-staff-office-2022-11</a> "Read the 2:30 a.m. email Elon Musk sent to staff, his first, announcing the end of remote working at Twitter Kate Duffy and Kali Hays 10 hours ago"] by Kate Duffy and Kali Hays, Business Insider, 2022 November 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-nytimestwitecon-194"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-nytimestwitecon_194-0">180.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-nytimestwitecon_194-1">180.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/technology/elon-musk-twitter-employees.html">"‘Economic Picture Ahead Is Dire,’ Elon Musk Tells Twitter Employees"</a> by Kate Conger, Ryan Mac, and Mike Isaac, New York Times, 2022 November 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-195"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-195">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/10/twitter-security-resignations/">"Twitter’s content moderation head quits as departures alarm the FTC"</a>by Joseph Menn, Cat Zakrzewski, Faiz Siddiqui, Nitasha Tiku, and Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 2022 November 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-196"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-196">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.engadget.com/twitter-fired-employees-called-out-elon-musk-063109091.html">"Twitter fired employees who publicly called out Elon Musk"</a> by M. Moon, Engadget, 2022 November 15</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-197"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-197">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/16/elon-musk-twitter-memo-hardcore">"Musk's "hardcore" marching orders"</a> by Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 2022 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-198"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-198">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/16/musk-twitter-email-ultimatum-termination/">"Musk issues ultimatum to staff: Commit to 'hardcore' Twitter or take severance"</a> by Faiz Siddiqui and Jeremy B. Merrill, Washington Post, 2022 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-199"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-199">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Vittoria Elliott and Chris Stokel-Walker(January 6, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-employees-severance/">"Twitter Promised Them Severance. They Got Nothing"</a>. <i>Wired</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-200"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-200">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Emma Roth (January 16, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/16/23557210/twitter-workers-class-action-severance-lawsuit">"Laid-off Twitter workers must drop class-action severance lawsuit, judge says"</a>. <i>The Verge</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-cnnexodus-201"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnexodus_201-0">187.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnexodus_201-1">187.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/17/media/twitter-exodus-reliable-sources">"Inside Twitter as ‘mass exodus’ of staffers throws platform’s future into uncertainty"</a> by Oliver Darcy, CNN, November 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-203"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-203">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/technology/elon-musk-twitter-workers-quit.html">"Elon Musk’s Twitter Teeters on the Edge After Another 1,200 Leave"</a> By Ryan Mac, Mike Isaac and Kellen Browning, New York Times, 2022 November 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-204"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-204">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-11-29/elon-musk-job-cuts-decimated-twitter-team-tackling-child-sexual-abuse">Job cuts by Elon Musk decimated Twitter team tackling child sexual abuse</a> By Olivia Solon and Jillian Deutsch, Bloomberg News (via The Los Angeles Times), 2022 November 29</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-205"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-205">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Alexandra S. Levine and Thomas Brewster (November 18, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2022/11/18/elon-musk-twitter-csam-lawsuit/">"Elon Musk Inherited Twitter's Child Abuse Nightmare — Experts Say He's Making It Worse"</a>. <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-206"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-206">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> David Ingram, Lora Kolodny, and Brandy Zadrozny (December 13, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-says-can-stop-child-exploitation-twitter-far-s-axed-jobs-pus-rcna61233">"Elon Musk says he can stop child exploitation on Twitter. So far, he’s axed jobs and pushed out watchdogs."</a> <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-207"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-207">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20221118024639/https://twitter.com/explore/tabs/trending">Twitter: United States Trends,</a> archived on 2022 November 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-208"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-208">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/technology/twitter-elon-musk-ftc.html">"Resignations Roil Twitter as Elon Musk Tries Persuading Some Workers to Stay"</a> by Ryan Mac, Mike Isaac, and David McCabe, New York Times, 2022 November 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-209"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-209">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/technology/elon-musk-twitter-shakeup.html">"Musk Shakes Up Twitter’s Legal Team as He Looks to Cut More Costs"</a> by Ryan Mac, Mike Isaac, and Kate conger, New York Times, 2022 December 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-210"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-210">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFFung2023" class="citation news cs1">Fung, Brian (January 3, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/tech/twitter-landlord-lawsuit/index.html">"Twitter sued by landlord for allegedly failing to pay rent"</a>. <i>CNN</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">February 7,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=CNN&rft.atitle=Twitter+sued+by+landlord+for+allegedly+failing+to+pay+rent&rft.date=2023-01-03&rft.aulast=Fung&rft.aufirst=Brian&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F01%2F03%2Ftech%2Ftwitter-landlord-lawsuit%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-211"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-211">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFCao2023" class="citation news cs1">Cao, Sissi (January 12, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://observer.com/2023/01/twitter-employees-evicted-singapore-office-rent/">"Twitter Employees Were Evicted From Their Singapore Office Over Unpaid Rent"</a>. <i>Observer</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">February 7,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Observer&rft.atitle=Twitter+Employees+Were+Evicted+From+Their+Singapore+Office+Over+Unpaid+Rent&rft.date=2023-01-12&rft.aulast=Cao&rft.aufirst=Sissi&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fobserver.com%2F2023%2F01%2Ftwitter-employees-evicted-singapore-office-rent%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-212"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-212">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFLadden-Hall2023" class="citation news cs1">Ladden-Hall, Dan (January 12, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/twitter-offices-closing-down-after-not-paying-rent-report">"Twitter Offices Closing Down After Not Paying Rent: Report"</a>. <i>The Daily Beast</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">February 7,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Daily+Beast&rft.atitle=Twitter+Offices+Closing+Down+After+Not+Paying+Rent%3A+Report&rft.date=2023-01-12&rft.aulast=Ladden-Hall&rft.aufirst=Dan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailybeast.com%2Ftwitter-offices-closing-down-after-not-paying-rent-report&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-213"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-213">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFSoni2023" class="citation news cs1">Soni, Mallika (January 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/elon-musk-twitter-elon-musk-can-t-pay-rent-twitter-is-auctioning-its-coffee-machines-101674020911743.html">"Elon Musk can't pay rent? Twitter is auctioning its coffee machines"</a>. <i>The Hindustan Times</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">February 7,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindustan+Times&rft.atitle=Elon+Musk+can%27t+pay+rent%3F+Twitter+is+auctioning+its+coffee+machines&rft.date=2023-01-18&rft.aulast=Soni&rft.aufirst=Mallika&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fworld-news%2Felon-musk-twitter-elon-musk-can-t-pay-rent-twitter-is-auctioning-its-coffee-machines-101674020911743.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-214"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-214">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Rachel Treisman (January 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/01/18/1149731084/twitter-office-supplies-auction-online">"Twitter auctioned off office supplies, including a pizza oven and neon bird sign"</a>. NPR.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-platformerfired-215"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-platformerfired_215-0">200.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-platformerfired_215-1">200.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.platformer.news/p/elon-musk-fires-a-top-twitter-engineer">"Elon Musk fires a top Twitter engineer over his declining view count"</a> by Zoë Schiffer and Casey Newton, Platformer, 2023 February 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-217"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-217">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.engadget.com/twitter-shutting-off-free-api-prepare-174340770.html">"Twitter is shutting down its free API, here's what's going to break"</a> by Karissa Bell, Engadget, 2023 February 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-218"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-218">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.polygon.com/23591537/twitter-api-change-tweetbot-fandom-harassment-elon-musk">"Twitter’s API changes could spell harassment for fan accounts"</a> by Allegra Rosenberg, Polygon, 2023 February 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-219"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-219">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23600358/elon-musk-tweets-algorithm-changes-twitter">"Yes, Elon Musk created a special system for showing you all his tweets first"</a> by Zoe Schiffer and Casey Newton, Verge, 2023 February 14</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-220"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-220">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Kate Conger, Ryan Mac and Mike Isaac (February 26, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/technology/twitter-layoffs.html">"In Latest Round of Job Cuts, Twitter Is Said to Lay Off at Least 200 Employees"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/l7hAz">(Archived)</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-221"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-221">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/28/technology/twitter-outages-elon-musk.html">"‘Sometimes Things Break’: Twitter Outages Are on the Rise"</a> by Ryan Mac, Mike Isaac, and Kate Conger, New York Times, 2023 Feburary 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-222"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-222">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.techradar.com/news/twitters-latest-meltdown-proves-elon-musk-is-still-doing-it-wrong">"Twitter's latest meltdown proves Elon Musk is still doing it wrong"</a> by Lance Ulanoff, Techradar, 2023 March 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-223"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-223">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/06/twitter-acquihires-creative-agency-ueno-to-help-design-new-products/">"Twitter acqui-hires creative agency Ueno to help design new products"</a> by Sarah Perez, TechCrunch, 2021 January 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-224"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-224">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://fortune.com/2023/03/07/elon-musk-apology-disabled-former-twitter-employee/">"Elon Musk shares rare regrets for brutally mocking a disabled former Twitter employee: ‘I would like to apologize’"</a> by Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 2023 March 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-225"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-225">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-mocks-wheelchair-bound-twitter-employee-he-publicly-fired">"Musk Apologizes After Mocking Disabled Twitter Employee He Publicly Fired"</a> by Noah Kirsch, Daily Beast, 2023 March 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-226"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-226">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23112929/elon-musk-text-exhibits-twitter-v-musk.pdf">Elon Musk text exhibits (Twitter v. Musk)</a> by Elon Musk (2022-02-31 15;23:49 CDT) <i>Document Cloud</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-227"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-227">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/people-banned-from-twitter-wont-have-accounts-restored-for-weeks-elon-musk-says-01667421209">"People banned from Twitter won’t have accounts restored for weeks, Elon Musk says"</a> by Associated Press, posted in MarketWatch, 2022 November 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-228"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-228">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/twitter-accounts-reinstated-by-elon-musk">"These Are The Banned Twitter Accounts That Elon Musk Has Reinstated, Is Considering Reinstating, And Those He Refuses To Reinstate"</a> by Ryan Schocket, Buzzfeed Staff, 2022 November 19</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-229"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-229">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23318861/andrew-tate-tiktok-instagram-youtube-banned">"You can ignore Andrew Tate"</a> by Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 2022 August 24</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-230"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-230">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/19/business/twitter-musk-trump-reinstate/index.html">"Elon Musk restores Donald Trump's Twitter account"</a> by Clare Duffy and Paul LeBlanc, CNN, 2022 November 19</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-231"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-231">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-shadowbanning-policy-causes-right-wingers-fume-1234633498/">"Right Wingers Fume After Musk Announces Shadowbanning Policy"</a> by Nikki Mccann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 2022 November 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-232"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-232">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/29/twitter-covid-29-misleading-info-policy-change/">"Twitter says it’s no longer enforcing COVID-19 misleading information policy"</a> by Natasha Lomas, TechCrunch, 2022 November 29</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-233"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-233">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3771492-musk-fires-back-after-criticism-of-gender-pronouns-tweet-about-fauci/">"Musk fires back after criticism of gender pronouns tweet about Fauci"</a> by Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 2022 December 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-234"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-234">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2022/12/12/1142399312/twitter-trust-and-safety-council-elon-musk">"Musk's Twitter has dissolved its Trust and Safety Council"</a>, Associated Press, 2022 December 12, reported on NPR</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-235"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-235">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/tech/twitter-files-yoel-roth/index.html">"Former top Twitter official forced to leave home due to threats amid ‘Twitter Files’ release"</a> by Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, 2022 December 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-236"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-236">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theintercept.com/2022/11/29/elon-musk-twitter-andy-ngo-antifascist/">"Left-Wing Voices Are Silenced on Twitter as Far-Right Trolls Advise Elon Musk"</a> by Robert Mackey and Micah Lee, Intercept, 2022 November 29</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-237"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-237">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-users-criticizing-musk-being-banned-told-they-violated-rules-2022-11">"Some Twitter users who criticized Elon Musk say they've been suspended or told they violated rules due to 'hateful conduct'"</a> by Jyoti Mann, Business Insider, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-238"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-238">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-elonjet-twitter-bot-221826608.html">"Teen wants $50,000 to stop tracking Elon Musk’s private jet"</a> by Igor Bonifacic, Engadget, 2022 January 30</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-239"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-239">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/12/14/twitter-suspends-account-tracking-elon-musks-private-jet/">"Twitter Suspends Account Tracking Elon Musk's Private Jet"</a> by Derek Saul, Forbes, 2022 December 14</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-240"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-240">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/15/media/twitter-musk-journalists-hnk-intl/index.html">"Elon Musk’s Twitter bans CNN, NYT, WaPo journalists without explanation"</a> by Oliver Darcy, CNN, 2022 December 15</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-241"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-241">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitter-suspends-mastodon-account-1234648316/">"Elon Musk’s Twitter Suspends Rival Mastodon Account"</a> by Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2022 December 15</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-242"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-242">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/18/tech/twitter-ban-social-media-links/index.html">"Elon Musk’s Twitter bans links to other social media sites, including Facebook and emerging rivals"</a> by Briang Fung, CNN, 2022 December 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-243"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-243">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/twitter-bans-promotion-social-media-sites-facebook-instagram-truth-soc-rcna62305">"Twitter bans promotion of accounts on other social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and Truth Social"</a> by Julianne McShane, Jason Abbruzzese and Ezra Kaplan, NBC News, 2022 December 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-244"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-244">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/technology/twitter-substack-elon-musk.html">"Twitter Takes Aim at Posts That Link to Its Rival Substack"</a> by Kate Conger and Ryan Mac, New York Times, 2023 April 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-245"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-245">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/matt-walsh-wired-reporter-dell-cameron-twitter-suspension-1234720045/">"He Reported on a Twitter Hack. Musk’s Free Speech Haven Kicked Him Out"</a> by CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 2023 April 19</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-246"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-246">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/cbs-news-resumes-twitter-activity-security-concerns-1235438017/">"CBS News Resumes Twitter Posting After Hiatus Over ‘Security Concerns’"</a> by Todd Spangler, Variety, 2022 November 20</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-247"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-247">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/cbs-news-pauses-twitter-posting-1235437572/">"CBS News Suspends Twitter Posting ‘In Light of the Uncertainty’ About Musk-Owned Social Platform"</a> by Todd Spangler, Variety, 2022 November 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-248"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-248">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mediamatters.org/elon-musk/less-month-elon-musk-has-driven-away-half-twitters-top-100-advertisers">"In less than a month, Elon Musk has driven away half of Twitter’s top 100 advertisers"</a> by Sharon Kann and Angelo Carusone, Media Matters, 2022 November 22</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-249"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-249">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/22/tech/twitter-layoffs-continue/index.html">"Twitter layoffs continue under Elon Musk"</a> by Clare Duffy, CNN, 2022 December 23</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-250"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-250">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/twitters-efforts-to-court-advertisers-turns-them-off">"Twitter’s Efforts to Court Advertisers Turns Them Off"</a> by Sahil Patel and Erin Woo, The Information, 2023 January 11</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-251"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-251">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/tech/twitter-top-advertiser-decline/index.html">"More than half of Twitter’s top 1,000 advertisers stopped spending on platform, data show"</a> by Clare Duffy, CNN, 2023 February 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-252"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-252">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Shirin Ghaffary (March 24, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/3/23/23651151/twitter-advertisers-elon-musk-brands-revenue-fleeing">"Why advertisers aren't coming back to Twitter"</a>. <i>Vox</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-253"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-253">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Eleanor Hawkins and Sara Fischer (April 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/18/musk-twitter-advertisers-media-blitz">"Musk tries media blitz to win back Twitter advertisers"</a>. <i>Axios</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-254"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-254">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/03/elon-musks-twitter-free-speech-checkmarks-ranking">"At Elon Musk's Twitter, speech is anything but free"</a> by Ina Fried, Axios, 2023 April 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-255"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-255">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Evan Urquhart (November 1, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://slate.com/technology/2022/11/elon-music-twitter-transgender-harassment-misinformation.html">"One of the Biggest Red Flags of Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover"</a>. <i>Slate</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Ortutay4182023-256"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Ortutay4182023_256-0">240.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Ortutay4182023_256-1">240.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Barbara Ortutay (April 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-elon-musk-transgender-deadnaming-hateful-conduct-ae1b7285bb906e04b26ff9751ec0c2ce">"Twitter removes policy against deadnaming transgender people"</a>. <i>The Associated Press</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-257"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-257">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/4/17/new-zealand-radio-threatens-to-quit-twitter-over-government-tag">"New Zealand radio threatens to quit Twitter over ‘government’ tag"</a>, Al Jazeera, 2023 April 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-258"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-258">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://time.com/6272623/media-twitter-dispute-labeling/">"These Are All the Media Outlets Disputing Twitter's New Labels"</a> by Armani Syed, Time, 2023 April 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-259"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-259">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-sweden-public-radio-musk-038a4e4a2555c66f82b6eb960e64e257">"Sweden public radio exits Twitter, says audience already has"</a>, AP News, 2023 April 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-261"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-261">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3955259-musk-media-reach-boiling-point-over-twitter-changes/">"Musk, media reach boiling point over Twitter changes"</a> by Rebecca Klar, Hill, 2023 April 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-262"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-262">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Patrick Hipes (April 22, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://deadline.com/2023/04/twitter-government-funded-media-labels-removed-npr-pbs-1235334112/">"Twitter Removes 'Government-Funded Media' Labels From NPR, PBS, Others After Backlash"</a>. <i>Deadline</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-263"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-263">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Ben Collins (May 12, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/cat-dog-torture-videos-litter-twitter-adding-concerns-moderation-rcna84190">"Cat and dog torture videos litter Twitter, adding to concerns about moderation</a>. <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-264"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-264">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Michael H. Keller and Kate Conger (February 6, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/06/technology/twitter-child-sex-abuse.html">"Musk Pledged to Cleanse Twitter of Child Abuse Content. It’s Been Rough Going."</a> <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/jeLpQ">(Archived.)</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-265"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-265">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Ben Goggin, Lora Kolodny, and David Ingram (January 6, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/musk-twitter-elon-child-abuse-material-rcna63621">"On Musk's Twitter, users looking to sell and trade child sex abuse material are still easily found"</a>. <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-266"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-266">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-the-daily-wire-twitter-resignations-explained">"Right-wing Musk fans win Twitter CEO's loyalty. Staff loses."</a> by Matt Binder, Mashable, 2023 June 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-267"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-267">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65786326">"Elon Musk's Twitter loses second trust and safety chief"</a>, BBC, 2023 June 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-268"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-268">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-cis-cisgender-slur-twitter-1850559321">"Elon Musk Declares ‘Cisgender’ a Slur on Free Speech Twitter"</a> by Jody Serrano, Gizmodo, 2023 June 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-269"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-269">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/aMQjW">The word “cis” is a heterosexual slur. Shame on anyone who uses it.</a> by Elon Musk (7:41 PM · Oct 30, 2023) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 30 Oct 2023 21:29:23 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-270"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-270">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/14/on-elons-whim-x-now-treats-cisgender-as-a-slur/">On Elon’s whim, X now treats ‘cisgender’ as a slur</a> by Amanda Silberling (9:33 AM PDT • May 14, 2024) <i>Tech Crunch</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-nyccage-271"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-nyccage_271-0">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/technology/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-cage-match.html">"A ‘Cage Match’ Between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg May Be No Joke"</a> by Ryan Mac and Mike Isaac, New York Times, 2023 July 1</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-forbesrate-273"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-forbesrate_273-0">255.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-forbesrate_273-1">255.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/07/02/no-one-believes-elon-musks-explanation-for-breaking-twitter/">"No One Believes Elon Musk’s Explanation For Breaking Twitter"</a> by Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2023 July 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-techradarrate-274"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-techradarrate_274-0">256.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-techradarrate_274-1">256.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/twitter/twitter-crisis-explained-what-are-rate-limits-and-when-will-they-end">"Twitter crisis explained: what are rate limits and when will they end?"</a> by Christian Guyton, TechRadar, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-276"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-276">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66087172">"Confusion at Twitter continues over Elon Musk's tweet limits"</a> by Shiona McCallum and Liv McMahon, BBC, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-277"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-277">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/03/tweetdeck-suffers-as-musk-enforces-read-limits-on-twitter/">"TweetDeck suffers as Musk enforces read limits on Twitte"</a> by Ivan Mehta, Techcrunch, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-278"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-278">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/musks-twitter-rate-limits-could-undermine-new-ceo-ad-experts-say-2023-07-03/">"Musk's Twitter rate limits could undermine new CEO, ad experts say"</a> by Jody Gordy, Reuters, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-279"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-279">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/business/twitter-rate-limit-elon-musk.html">"Musk Says Twitter Is Limiting Number of Posts Users Can Read"</a> by Eduardo Medina and Ryan Mac, New York Times, 2023 July 1</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-281"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-281">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/what-does-twitter-rate-limit-exceeded-mean-users-2023-07-03/">"What does Twitter 'rate limit exceeded' mean for users?"</a>, Reuters, 2023 July 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-282"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-282">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thewrap.com/spill-twitter-alternative-elon-musk/">"Spill Becomes Latest Trendy Twitter Alternative After Elon Musk Enrages Users Again"</a> by Jeremy Fuster, The Wrap, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-283"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-283">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-twitter-limits-truth-social-trump-1810474">"Donald Trump Handed Big Win After Elon Musk Misstep"</a> by Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 2023 July 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-284"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-284">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/threads-twitter-alternative-instagram-meta">"Threads, Meta's Twitter clone, is arriving very soon"</a> by Caitlin Welsh, Mashable, 2023 July 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-285"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-285">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-calls-mark-zuckerberg-a-cuck-as-threads-nears-100m-users">"Musk Melts Down as Threads Nears 100M Users: ‘Zuck is a Cuck’"</a> by Erik Uebelacker, Daily Beast, 2023 July 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-286"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-286">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/10/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-cuck-twitter-threads">"Elon Musk goes low against Zuckerberg as Twitter-Threads spat intensifies"</a> by Martin Pengelly, Guardian, 2023 July 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-287"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-287">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/taliban-spokesman-endorses-twitter-threads-1234785692/">"Twitter Beats Out Threads for Coveted Taliban Leader Endorsement"</a> by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 2023 July 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-288"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-288">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/elon-musks-x-fails-block-californias-content-moderation-law-2023-12-29/">Elon Musk's X fails to block California's content moderation law.</a> <i>Reuters</i>, 28 December 2023.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-289"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-289">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-media-matters-lawsuit-advertising-neonazi-1fe499daa600f513af27ffa68d2e8b91">Musk’s X sues liberal advocacy group Media Matters over its report on ads next to hate groups’ posts</a> <i>Associated Press</i>, 21 November 2023.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-290"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-290">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/elon-musk-twitter-free-speech-hypocrisy-rcna81961">"New data exposes Elon Musk’s free speech charade"</a> by Zeeshan Aleem, 2023 April 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-291"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-291">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFBrandom2023" class="citation news cs1">Brandom, Russell (27 April 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://restofworld.org/2023/elon-musk-twitter-government-orders/">"Twitter is complying with more government demands under Elon Musk"</a>. <i>Rest of World</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Rest+of+World&rft.atitle=Twitter+is+complying+with+more+government+demands+under+Elon+Musk&rft.date=2023-04-27&rft.aulast=Brandom&rft.aufirst=Russell&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Frestofworld.org%2F2023%2Felon-musk-twitter-government-orders%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-292"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-292">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFHamilton2023" class="citation news cs1">Hamilton, Katherine (27 April 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherinehamilton/2023/04/27/twitter-has-complied-with-almost-every-government-request-for-censorship-since-musk-took-over-report-finds/">"Twitter Has Complied With Almost Every Government Request For Censorship Since Musk Took Over, Report Finds"</a>. <i>Forbes</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Forbes&rft.atitle=Twitter+Has+Complied+With+Almost+Every+Government+Request+For+Censorship+Since+Musk+Took+Over%2C+Report+Finds&rft.date=2023-04-27&rft.aulast=Hamilton&rft.aufirst=Katherine&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fkatherinehamilton%2F2023%2F04%2F27%2Ftwitter-has-complied-with-almost-every-government-request-for-censorship-since-musk-took-over-report-finds%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-293"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-293">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theintercept.com/2023/01/24/twitter-elon-musk-modi-india-bbc/">"Elon Musk Caves to Pressure from India to Remove BBC Doc Critical of Modi"</a> by Murtaza Hussain and Ryan Grim, Intercept, 2023 January 24</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-294"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-294">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/turkey-election-elon-musk-accused-censoring-erdogan-critics-twitter-1800134">"Turkey Election: Elon Musk Accused of Censoring Erdogan Critics on Twitter"</a> by Fatma Khaled, Newsweek, 2023 May 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-295"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-295">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thewrap.com/elon-musk-wikipedia-twitter-turkey-censorship/">"Wikipedia Founder Crushes Elon Musk for Caving to Twitter Censorship in Turkey: ‘Treat Freedom of Expression as a Principle Rather Than a Slogan’"</a> by Mason Bissada, The Wrap, 2023 May 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-296"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-296">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/26/world/europe/wikipedia-ban-turkey.html">"Turkey’s Ban on Wikipedia Is Unconstitutional, Court Says"</a> by Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 2019 December 26</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-298"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-298">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/08/twitter-held-in-contempt-fined-350k-over-trump-data-delay/">"Twitter held in contempt, fined $350K over Trump data delay"</a> by Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 2023 August 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-299"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-299">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/us/politics/trump-indictment-jack-smith-charges.html">"How Jack Smith Structured the Trump Election Indictment to Reduce Risks"</a> by Charlie Savage, New York Times, 2023 August 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-300"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-300">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.salon.com/2023/08/16/special-treatment-suggests-musk-trying-to-cozy-up-to-by-trying-to-tip-him-off/">""Special treatment": Judge suggests Musk trying to "cozy up" to Trump by trying to tip him off"</a> by Gabriella Ferrigine, Salon, 2023 August 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-301"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-301">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theconversation.com/elon-musks-feud-with-brazilian-judge-is-much-more-than-a-personal-spat-its-about-national-sovereignty-freedom-of-speech-and-the-rule-of-law-238264">"Elon Musk’s feud with Brazilian judge is much more than a personal spat − it’s about national sovereignty, freedom of speech and the rule of law"</a> by Yasmin Curzi de Mendonça, Conversation, 2024 September 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-302"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-302">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/10/before-brazil-and-elon-musk-xs-history-of-run-ins-with-left-and-right">"Before Brazil and Elon Musk: X’s history of run-ins with left and right"</a> by Dwayne Oxford, Al-Jazeera, 2024 September 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-303"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-303">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/4/24235213/x-brazil-suppression-speech-elon-musk-india-turkey">"Elon Musk is absolutely not a ‘free speech absolutist’"</a> by Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 2024 September 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-wapotwittercsam-304"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-0">283.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-1">283.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-wapotwittercsam_304-2">283.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/27/twitter-csam-dom-lucre-elon-musk/">"Twitter under fire for reinstating account that posted child sex abuse"</a> by Joseph Menn and Drew harwell, Washington Post, 2023 July 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-305"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-305">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/twitter-suspends-journalists-covering-elon-musk-company-rcna62032">Twitter suspends journalists who have been covering Elon Musk and the company: Musk joined a Twitter Space to say the suspensions were related to new rules banning private jet trackers. Twitter suspended an account that tweeted the whereabouts of his plane.</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-306"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-306">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://jetspy.com/">JetSpy</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-307"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-307">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/twitter-suspends-journalists-covering-elon-musk-company-rcna62032">Twitter suspends journalists who have been covering Elon Musk and the company: Musk joined a Twitter Space to say the suspensions were related to new rules banning private jet trackers. Twitter suspended an account that tweeted the whereabouts of his plane.</a> by Jason Abbruzzese et al. (Dec. 15, 2022, 5:08 PM PST / Updated Dec. 16, 2022, 12:52 AM PST) <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-308"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-308">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/27/musk-x-throttle-links-threads-bluesky/">Musk admits X throttles links as ‘news influencers’ take over</a> by Will Oremus (November 27, 2024 at 9:05 a.m. EST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-309"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-309">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/15/twitter-x-links-delayed/">Elon Musk’s X is throttling traffic to websites he dislikes: The site formerly known as Twitter added a five-second delay when a user clicked on a shortened link to the New York Times, Facebook and other sites Musk commonly attacks, a Washington Post analysis found</a> by Jeremy B. Merrill & Drew Harwell (Updated August 16, 2023 at 11:53 a.m. EDT; Published August 15, 2023 at 1:27 p.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-310"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-310">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230727001349/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1684247923612057601">The reason for suspension should be shown, along with ability to appeal quickly and easily. There are so many layers of software (20+ million lines) that this is much harder than it should be. I’m told that this account was suspended for posting child exploitation pictures associated with the criminal conviction of an Australian man in the Philippines. https://cnn.com/2022/11/10/asi…</a> by Elon Musk (5:02 PM · Jul 26, 202) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from July 27, 2023).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-311"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-311">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230726203446/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1684248597603155976">Only people on our CSE team have seen those pictures. For now, we will delete those posts and reinstate the account.</a> by Elon Musk (5:05 PM · Jul 26, 2023) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from July 26, 2023).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-312"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-312">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/10/asia/australian-129-years-jail-philippines-child-sex-intl-hnk/index.html">Australian who sexually abused children in the Philippines given 129-year jail term</a> by Kathleen Magramo (1:36 AM EST, November 10, 2022) <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-313"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-313">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/27/twitter-csam-dom-lucre-elon-musk">Twitter under fire for reinstating account that posted child sex abuse: It’s only the latest incident of banned imagery making its way onto the site since Musk bought it</a> by Joseph Menn & Drew Harwell (Updated July 28, 2023 at 10:31 a.m. EDT|Published July 27, 2023 at 5:46 p.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-314"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-314">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:jd797tp7663/20230606-sio-sg-csam-report.pdf">"Cross-Platform Dynamics of Self-Generated CSAM"</a> by David Thiel, Renée DiResta and Alex Stamos, Stanford Internet Observatory, 2023 June 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-harwell-315"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-harwell_315-0">294.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-harwell_315-1">294.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/28/pizzagate-musk-twitter-x-controversy">Elon Musk boosts Pizzagate conspiracy theory that led to D.C. gunfire: The far-right theory motivated a gunman to fire multiple rounds inside the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Northwest Washington in 2016. Musk boosted the theory to his 164 million followers anyway.</a> by Drew Harwell (November 28, 2023) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-316"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-316">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/12/twitter-safety-council-dissolved-before-meeting">Twitter abruptly dissolves safety council moments before meeting: The firm’s turmoil appears to deepen since Elon Musk’s takeover with Yoel Roth forced to flee home amid personal attacks</a> (Mon 12 Dec 2022 21.56 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-317"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-317">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/08/india-twitter-online-censorship">How India tamed Twitter and set a global standard for online censorship</a> by Karishma Mehrotra & Joseph Menn (November 8, 2023 at 10:00 p.m. EST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-318"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-318">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://restofworld.org/2023/elon-musk-twitter-government-orders/">Twitter is complying with more government demands under Elon Musk: The company has not refused a single request since Musk took ownership, according to self-reported data.</a> by Russell Brandom (27 April 2023) <i>Rest of World</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-319"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-319">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/amid-probe-into-musk-brazils-top-court-says-every-company-is-subject-2024-04-08/">Amid probe into Musk, Brazil's top court says 'every company is subject to the constitution'</a> (April 8, 20241:08 PM PDT) <i>Reuters</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-320"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-320">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/25/musk-x-lawsuit-slapp-center-digital-hate/">Musk tried to ‘punish’ critics, judge rules, in tossing a lawsuit: In a win for hate-speech researchers, a federal judge in California dismisses X’s lawsuit under the state’s anti-SLAPP law</a> by Will Oremus & Taylor Telford (March 25, 2024) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-321"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-321">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFWilkins2024" class="citation web cs1">Wilkins, Brett (September 26, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/ken-klippenstein-x">"X Suspends Journalist Ken Klippenstein Over Publication of JD Vance Dossier"</a>. Common Dreams.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=X+Suspends+Journalist+Ken+Klippenstein+Over+Publication+of+JD+Vance+Dossier&rft.pub=Common+Dreams&rft.date=2024-09-26&rft.aulast=Wilkins&rft.aufirst=Brett&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.commondreams.org%2Fnews%2Fken-klippenstein-x&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span> <span class="cs1-visible-error citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_web" title="Template:Cite web">cite web</a>}}</code>: </span><span class="cs1-visible-error citation-comment">Italic or bold markup not allowed in: <code class="cs1-code">|publisher=</code> (<a href="/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#apostrophe_markup" title="Help:CS1 errors">help</a>)</span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-322"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-322">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Elon Musk: Enquête sur un nouveau maître du monde</i> by Darryl Cunningham (2024) Delcourt. ISBN 2413086129.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-323"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-323">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/03/elon-musk-media-matters-supreme-court.html">Elon Musk’s Supreme Court Endgame in Defamation Lawsuit</a> by Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza (March 25, 202410:00 AM) <i>Slate</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-324"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-324">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://deadline.com/2022/11/elon-musks-twitter-pepe-the-frog-tweet-adl-cnn-1235182744/">"Elon Musk’s Pepe The Frog Tweet Decried By ADL As His Overnight Tweetstorm Also Highlights Guns, Revolutionary War Imagery & Fabricated CNN Headline"</a> by Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-325"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-325">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dailydot.com/debug/elon-musk-tim-gionet-baked-alaska-twitter/">"Elon Musk quietly deletes meme featuring prominent white nationalist Capitol rioter"</a> by Mikael Thalen, Daily Dot, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-326"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-326">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-040398325285">"Image of CNN report about Elon Musk came from parody site"</a> by Sophia Tulp, AP, 2022 April 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-327"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-327">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20221128212622/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1597336812732575744">"The Twitter Files on free speech suppression soon to be published on Twitter itself. The public deserves to know what really happened …"</a>, @elonmusk, Twitter, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-328"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-328">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/elon-musk-blasts-san-francisco-17607597.php">"Elon Musk blasts San Francisco’s ‘far left’ views on Twitter as advertisers flee"</a> by Joshua Bote, SFGate, 2022 November 23</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-329"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-329">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/twitter-elon-musk-woke-mind-virus-tesla-b1042726.html">"Elon Musk says he’s ‘not right wing’ but ‘woke mind virus pushing civilisation toward suicide’"</a> by Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Evening Standard, 2022 November 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-330"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-330">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/4ax8qp/elon-musk-wonders-does-the-company-that-fought-the-fbi-in-court-to-prevent-giving-it-the-text-messages-of-terrorists-hate-free-speech-because-it-stopped-giving-me-money">"Elon Musk Wonders: Does the Company that Fought the FBI in Court to Prevent Giving it the Text Messages of Terrorists Hate Free Speech Because It Stopped Giving Me Money?"</a> by Jason Koebler, Vice, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-331"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-331">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/27/twitter-china-spam-protests/">"Twitter grapples with Chinese spam obscuring news of protests"</a> by Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 2022 November 27</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-332"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-332">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2022/11/28/on-twitter-elon-musk-finds-comfort-in-his-right-wing-filter-bubble_6005914_13.html">"On Twitter, Elon Musk finds comfort in his right-wing 'filter bubble'"</a> by Damien Leloup , Léa Sanchez and Olivier Clairouin, Le Monde, 2022 November 28</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-333"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-333">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-64804007">"Twitter insiders: We can't protect users from trolling under Musk"</a> by Marianna Spring, BBC, 2023 March 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-334"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-334">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-64989720">"How Elon Musk's tweets unleashed a wave of hate"</a> by Marianna Spring, BBC, 2023 March 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-335"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-335">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/elon-musk-twitter-logo-doge-dogecoin-meme-1235572343/">"Why Did Elon Musk Change the Twitter Logo to the Dogecoin Cryptocurrency Meme?"</a> by Todd Spangler, Variety, 2023 April 3</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-336"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-336">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.581639/gov.uscourts.nysd.581639.1.0.pdf">Keith Johnson v. Elon Musk,</a> United States District Court Southern District of New York, Case No 1:22-cv-5037</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-337"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-337">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164654551/twitter-poop-emoji-elon-musk">"Got a question for Twitter's press team? The answer will be a poop emoji"</a> by Rachel Tresiman, NPR, 2023 March 20</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-338"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-338">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/elon-musk-climate-hero">"Elon Musk, Climate Hero?"</a> by Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 2015 May 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-339"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-339">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/elon-musk-the-architect-of-tomorrow-120850/">"Elon Musk: The Architect of Tomorrow"</a> by Neil Strauss, Rolling Stone, 2017 November 15</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-340"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-340">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/john-oliver-coal-baron-squirrel-slapp-lawsuit-bob-murray.html">"John Oliver Taunts Coal Baron Enraged by Giant Talking Squirrel With Giant Singing Squirrels"</a> by Marissa Matrinelli, Slate, 2019 November 11</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-341"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-341">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://futurism.com/elon-musk-says-denial-of-climate-change-is-fraud">"Elon Musk Says Denial of Climate Change is 'Fraud'"</a> by Jess Vilvestre, Futurism, 2016 October 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-342"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-342">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/1/15726292/elon-musk-trump-advisory-council-paris-climate-decision">"Elon Musk steps down from Trump advisory councils over Paris climate decision"</a> by Sean O'Kane, The Verge, 2017 June 1</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-343"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-343">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/14/climate-crisis-deniers-target-scientists-abuse-musk-twitter">Climate crisis deniers target scientists for vicious abuse on Musk’s Twitter: Abusive, often violent tweets denying the climate emergency have become a barrage since Elon Musk acquired the platform, say UK experts</a> by Anna Fazackerley (14 May 2023 02.00 EDT) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-344"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-344">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/24/climate-scientists-flee-twitter-as-hostility-surges">"Climate scientists flee Twitter as hostility surges"</a>, Al Jazeera, 2023 May 24</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-345"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-345">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-science-social-media-a7e2e3214abb4470dcb6e2837aa39c2e">Climate misinformation ‘rocket boosters’ on Musk’s Twitter</a> by David Klepper (January 19, 2023) <i>AP</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-346"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-346">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230625101820/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1672793968587702272">Important to note that what happens on Earth’s surface (eg farming) has no meaningful impact on climate change. Overwhelmingly, the risk of climate change is due to moving billions of tons of carbon from deep underground into the atmosphere. Over time, if we keep doing this, the chemical makeup of our atmosphere will change enough to induce meaningful climate change.</a> by Elon Musk (2:28 AM · Jun 25, 2023) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 25, 2023).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-347"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-347">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/14/4811/2022/">Global Carbon Budget 2022</a> by Pierre Friedlingstein et al. (2022) <i>Earth Syst Sci Data</i> 14(11): 4811–4900. doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4811-2022.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-348"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-348">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880910002914">Methane emission from rice fields as affected by land use change</a> by Moniruzzaman Khan Eusufzai et al. (2010) <i>Agr Ecosyst Environ</i> 139(4): 742-748. doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2010.11.003.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-349"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-349">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071714003575">Soil methane oxidation and land-use change – from process to mitigation</a> by Kevin R. Tate (2015) <i>Soil Biol Biochem</i> 80: 260-272. doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.10.010.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-350"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-350">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880922000159">Impact of land use change on soil methane fluxes and diffusivity in Pampean plains, Argentina</a> by María De Bernardi et al. (2022) <i>Agr Ecosyst Environ</i> 329: 107866. doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2022.107866.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-351"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-351">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/12/7299/2015/">Reviews and syntheses: Soil N<sub>2</sub>O and NO emissions from land use and land-use change in the tropics and subtropics: a meta-analysis</a> by J. van Lent et al. (2015) <i>Biogeosciences</i> 12(23): 7299-7313. doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-7299-2015.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-352"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-352">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.international-agrophysics.org/,109238,0,2.html">Impact of land use change on greenhouse gases emissions in peatland: a review</a> by Ryusuke Hatano (2019) <i>Int Agrophys</i> 33(2): 167–173. doi.org/10.31545/intagr/109238.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-353"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-353">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877343520300476">From research to policy: optimizing the design of a national monitoring system to mitigate soil nitrous oxide emissions</a> by Stephen M Ogle et al. (2020) <i>Curr Opin Env Sust</i> 47: 28-36. doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2020.06.003.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-354"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-354">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837718311554">Local biophysical effects of land use and land cover change: towards an assessment tool for policy makers</a> by Gregory Duveiller et al. (2020) <i>Land Use Policy</i> 91: 104382. doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104382.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-355"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-355">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pce.12488">Modelling the influence of land-use changes on biophysical and biochemical interactions at regional and global scales</a> by N. Devaraju et al. (2015) <i>Plant Cell Environ</i> 38: 1931-1946. doi.org/10.1111/pce.12488.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-356"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-356">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://unfccc.int/topics/introduction-to-land-use">UNFCCC - Introduction to Land Use</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-357"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-357">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.eea.europa.eu/ims/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-land">European Environment Agency - Greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land use change and forestry in Europe</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-358"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-358">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/">IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-359"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-359">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220826042900/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1563020169160851456">"Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming."</a> by Elon Musk, @elonmusk, 2022 August 26, archived on 2022 August 26</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-360"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-360">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230505134900/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1654324102415482880">"Global warming risk is overblown in the short term, but significant in the long term"</a> by Elon Musk, @elonmusk, Twitter, 2023 May 5, archived on 2023 May 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-361"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-361">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/dec/08/elon-musk-slams-build-back-better-electric-car-incentive">"Elon Musk slams Biden’s Build Back Better bill and its electric car incentives"</a> by Oliver Milman, Guardian, 2021 December 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-362"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-362">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/article/166561/elon-musk-newest-acolyte-rights-critical-energy-theory-nonsense">"Elon Musk Is the Newest Acolyte of the Right’s Critical Energy Theory Nonsense"</a> by Kate Aronoff, New Republic, 2022 May 23</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-363"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-363">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/12/15/elon-musk-has-now-sold-229-billion-in-tesla-shares-since-buying-twitter-and-dragged-down-teslas-market-cap-by-700-billion-in-the-process/?sh=3d46de9568b6">"Elon Musk Has Now Sold $22.9 Billion In Tesla Shares Since Buying Twitter—And Dragged Down Tesla's Market Cap By $700 Billion In The Process"</a> by Derek Saul, Forbes, 2022 December 15</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-364"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-364">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2022/11/23/elon-musk-tesla-stock-twitter/?sh=1dc984dd6f81">"How Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover Is Ruining His Own Myth — And Tesla’s Stock"</a> by Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 2022 November 23</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-365"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-365">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/elon-musk-in-twitter-poll-asks-if-he-should-step-down-as-twitter-ceo.html">"Elon Musk polled Twitter on whether he should step down as CEO. Most voters said yes"</a> by Ashley Kapoot and Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2022 December 19</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-366"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-366">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/20/tech/elon-musk-twitter-polls/index.html">"After Twitter users voted to oust Elon Musk as CEO, he wants to change how polls work"</a> by Clare Duffy, CNN, 2022 December 20</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-367"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-367">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/is-this-the-end-of-elon-musks-twitter-odyssey">"Is This the End of Elon Musk’s Twitter Odyssey?"</a> by Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2022 December 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-368"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-368">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/elon-musks-resignation-twitter-hell-give-control-experts/story?id=95649617">"Does Elon Musk's resignation from Twitter mean he'll give up control? Experts weigh in"</a> by Max Zahn, ABC News, 2022 December 22</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-369"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-369">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/technology/yaccarino-twitter-ceo-musk.html">"Elon Musk Appoints Linda Yaccarino Twitter’s New Chief"</a> by Tiffany Hsu, Sapna Maheshwari, Benjamin Mullin and Ryan Mac, New York Times, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-370"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-370">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-announces-new-ceo-twitter-linda-yaccarino/">"Elon Musk says he's found "a new CEO" for Twitter. It's said to be NBCU's Linda Yaccarino."</a> by Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-371"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-371">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/5/11/23720327/elon-musk-new-twitter-ceo-linda-yaccarino">"Who is Linda Yaccarino, Elon Musk’s pick for new Twitter CEO?"</a> by Shirin Ghaffary, Vox, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-372"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-372">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65574826">"Elon Musk names Linda Yaccarino new Twitter CEO"</a>, BBC News, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-373"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-373">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/post/172699/linda-yaccarino-reported-twitter-ceo-right-wing-tendencies">"Elon Musk Is the Only One Happy About New Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino"</a> by Prem Thakker, New Republic, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-374"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-374">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.weforum.org/people/linda-yaccarino">World Economic Forum, People, Linda Yaccarino</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-375"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-375">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-musk-new-ceo-a5df68e9a1e5f982368390c73aeabb50">"Twitter’s new CEO is an NBCUniversal executive with deep ad industry ties"</a> by Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Barbara Ortutay, AP News, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-376"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-376">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-linda-yaccarino-new-twitter-ceo-world-economic-forum-2023-5">"Some of Elon Musk's fans are furious newly appointed Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino chairs a World Economic Forum committee"</a> by Aaron McDade, Business Insider, 2023 May 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-377"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-377">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gizmodo.com/linda-yaccarino-twitter-ceo-wef-conspiracy-elon-musk-1850433392">"Twitter Conspiracy Bozos Are Freaking Out Over Elon's WEF-Friendly CEO Pick"</a> by Thomas Germain, Gizmodo, 2023 May 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-378"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-378">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thewrap.com/twitter-elon-musk-linda-yaccarino-ceo-riptwitter/">"#RipTwitter Trends as Right-Wingers Disapprove of Elon Musk’s New CEO Hire: ‘The Death of the Platform’"</a> by Mason Bissada, The Wrap, 2023 May 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-380"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-380">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">[<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/fewer-people-using-elon-musks-x-struggles-keep-users-rcna144115">https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/fewer-people-using-elon-musks-x-struggles-keep-users-rcna144115</a> " Fewer people are using Elon Musk’s X as the platform struggles to attract and keep users, according to analysts"] by David Ingram, NBC News, 2024 March 22</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-381"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-381">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-x-musk-social-media-europe-82b2780d9abf123dc769d124aa04f24f">"European Union investigating Musk’s X over possible breaches of social media law"</a> by Kelvin Chan, Associated Press, 2023 December 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-382"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-382">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/14/ai-hate-memes-antisemitic-musk-x/">"Bigots use AI to make Nazi memes on 4chan. Verified users post them on X."</a> by Will Oremus, Washington Post, 2023 December 14</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-383"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-383">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/13/x-formerly-twitter-hate-speech-running-rampant-ccdh.html">"Elon Musk’s X sued this nonprofit after it exposed hate speech, and its new research shows little has changed"</a> by Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 2023 September 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-384"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-384">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/12/stop-comparing-xs-dismal-ad-sales-to-twitters-past-success-x-exec-says/">"Elon Musk’s X ad revenue reportedly fell $1.5B this year amid boycotts"</a> by Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 2023 December 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-385"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-385">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitter-users-are-reporting-an-increase-in-crypto-scam-ads">"Twitter Users Report an Increase in Crypto Scam Ads"</a> by Emily Price, PCMag, 2024 January 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-386"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-386">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitters-remaining-advertisers-roasted-community-notes-1234946004/">"Twitter’s Scammy Advertisers Are Getting Wrecked by Community Notes"</a> by Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2024 January 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-387"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-387">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211116003639/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/">Elon Musk</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived from November 16, 2021).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-388"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-388">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://cryptome.org/2020/08/musk-2020-02-21.pdf">Tesla Inc. v. Martin Tripp</a> Case No. 3:18-CV-00296-LRH-CBC (2/21/2020) <i>United States District Court, District of Nevada</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-gotmusked-389"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-gotmusked_389-0">367.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-gotmusked_389-1">367.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gotmusked.com/content/sociopathic-tendencies/">Sociopathic Tendencies</a> <i>Got Musked</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-390"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-390">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01LK1hxpwcY">Is Elon Musk a psychopath?</a> by Common Sense Skeptic (Apr 6, 2021) <i>YouTube</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-391"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-391">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2016/10/13/elon-musk-and-friends-are-spending-millions-to-break-out-of-the-matrix/">Elon Musk And Friends Are Spending Millions To Break Out Of The Matrix</a> by Janet Burns (Oct 13, 2016,02:00pm EDT) <i>Forbes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-392"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-392">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.salon.com/2022/08/20/understanding-longtermism-why-this-suddenly-influential-philosophy-is-so/">Understanding "longtermism": Why this suddenly influential philosophy is so toxic: Whatever we may "owe the future," it isn't a bizarre and dangerous ideology fueled by eugenics and capitalism</a> by Émile P. Torres August 20, 2022 12:00PM (EDT) <i>Salon</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-393"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-393">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/article/168047/longtermism-future-humanity-william-macaskill">The Heavy Price of Longtermism: Longtermists focus on ensuring humanity’s existence into the far future. But not without sacrifices in the present.</a> by Alexander Zaitchik (October 24, 2022) <i>The New Republic</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-ball-394"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-ball_394-0">372.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-ball_394-1">372.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2021-elon-musk/">Person of the Year: Elon Musk</a> by Molly Ball et al. (Dec. 13, 2021) <i>Time</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-395"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-395">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/05/politics/elon-musk-rogan-interview-empathy-doge/index.html">"Elon Musk wants to save Western civilization from empathy"</a> by Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 2025 March 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-396"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-396">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSOxPJD-VNo">#2281 Joe Rogan Experience #2281 - Elon Musk</a>, YouTube, 1:16:00-1:18:35</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-397"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-397">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/a5380/millionaire-starter-wife/">"I Was a Starter Wife": Inside America's Messiest Divorce</a> by Justine Musk (September 10, 2010) <i>Marie Claire</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-398"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-398">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200517174612if_/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1262076474565242880">Take the red pill 🌹</a> by Elon Musk (17 May 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from May 17, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-399"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-399">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.themarysue.com/the-matrix-trans-lens/">Lilly Wachowski Acknowledges Re-Examination of The Matrix With Lens Focused on Transness</a> by Jessica Lachenal (Apr 5<sup>th</sup>, 2016, 5:04 pm) <i>The Mary Sue</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-400"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-400">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200323022033/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1236029449042198528">The coronavirus panic is dumb</a> by Elon Musk (12:42 - 6. March 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from March 23, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-401"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-401">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200322021228/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1240754657263144960">Based on current trends, probably close to zero new cases in US too by end of April</a> by Elon Musk (4.38 - 19 Mar 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from March 22, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-402"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-402">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailycases">COVID Data Tracker</a> <i>Centers for Disease Control</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-403"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-403">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200430151239/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1255380013488189440">FREE AMERICA NOW</a> by Elon Musk (23:14 - 28. Apr. 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from April 30, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-404"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-404">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/12/hundreds-covid-cases-reported-tesla-plant-following-musks-defiant-reopening-county-data-shows/">Hundreds of covid cases reported at Tesla plant following Musk’s defiant reopening, county data shows</a> by Faiz Siddiqui (March 12, 2021 at 7:24 p.m. PST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-405"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-405">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.insider.com/elon-musk-bronny-james-cardiac-arrest-anti-covid-vaccine-2023-7">"Elon Musk is using Bronny James' cardiac arrest to baselessly spout anti-vaccine talking points"</a> by Rebecca Cohen and Hilary Brueck, Bsuiness Insider, 2023 July 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-406"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-406">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-tesla-life-inside-gigafactory/">Dr. Elon & Mr. Musk: Life Inside Tesla’s Production Hell: Unfettered genius. Unpredictable rages. Here's what it was like to work at Tesla as Model 3 manufacturing ramped up and the company's leader melted down.</a> </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-407"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-407">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-reportedly-shoved-and-threatened-to-nuke-ex-tesla-employee-2019-4">‘I will nuke you’: Elon Musk was accused of shoving and threatening a former Tesla employee</a> by Graham Rapier (Apr. 6, 2019, 8:32 AM) <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-408"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-408">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Is-the-world-s-richest-person-the-world-s-worst-17585788.php">Is the world's richest person the world's worst boss? What it's like working for Elon Musk</a> by Russ Mitchell (Nov. 15, 2022) <i>Los Angeles Times</i> via <i>SFGate</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-409"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-409">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-sexual-misconduct-claim-involved-horse-for-erotic-massage-2022-5">A sexual misconduct claim against Elon Musk involved him offering to buy a SpaceX flight attendant a horse in exchange for an erotic massage</a> by Cheryl Teh (May 19, 2022) <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-410"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-410">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Johnny Wood, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/elon-musk-un-world-hunger-famine/">How Billionaire Elon Musk's Fortune Could End World Hunger</a>. weforum.org, 19 November 2021.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-411"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-411">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200728004007/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1286675982297051142">Goal of government should be to maximize the happiness of the people. Giving each person money allows them to decide what meets their needs, rather than the blunt tool of legislation, which creates self-serving special interests.</a> by Elon Musk (07:53 - 24. Jun 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from July 28, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-412"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-412">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/is-elon-muk-on-board-with-effective-altruism">Is Elon Musk on Board With ‘Effective Altruism?</a> by Nicholas G. Evans (April 21, 2023) <i>The Chronicle of Philanthropy</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-413"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-413">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.inverse.com/article/51313-grimes-elon-musk-shares-new-single-that-has-a-roko-s-basilisk-message">"Elon Musk Shares Grimes’ New Song That Has a 'Roko's Basilisk' A.I. Message."</a> by Mike Brown (29 November 2018) <i>Inverse</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-414"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-414">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-mother-wealth-interview-b2654225.html">Elon Musk’s mom says it’s ‘degrading’ to call her son ‘wealthy’: He’s ‘the genius of the world’: Maye Musk’s comments sparked mockery on social media, with many making the comparisons to a nerdy cartoon character sheepishly saying his mom thinks he’s cool</a> by Justin Baragona (27 November 2024 11:04 EST) <i>Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-415"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-415">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lbuf252zps2u">Elon's mom is on Fox buttering up her son and answering questions about whether anybody actually likes him. Cringe.</a> by Aaron Rupar (November 26, 2024 at 7:46 AM) <i>BlueSky</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-416"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-416">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/26/working-more-than-50-hours-makes-you-less-productive.html">"Memo to work martyrs: Long hours make you less productive"</a> by Bob Sullivan, CNBC, 2015 January 26</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-417"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-417">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-twitter-productivity-days-off-year-work-week-2023-5">"Elon Musk's productivity hack is taking 2 or 3 days off a year, working 7 days a week, and getting 6 hours of sleep a night"</a> by Nidhi Pandurangi, Business Insider, 2023 May 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-418"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-418">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-warns-tesla-workers-challenging-production-mass-market-ev-2024-1">"Elon Musk warns Tesla workers they'll be sleeping on the production line to build its new mass-market EV"</a> by Tom Carter, Business Insider, 2024 January 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-419"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-419">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/Zwxiq">"Elon made exactly 100 posts on here since yesterday including replies that began at 12:18 AM ET on Saturday and continued until 5:08 AM ET on Sunday. They seemed to be pretty much uninterrupted for 29 hours straight and pretty much every major far-right account was engaged with."</a> by Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski), Twitter, 2024 February 4, archived on 2024 February 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-420"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-420">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-phone-locked-hotel-safe-stop-tweeting-walter-isaacson-2023-7">"A Tesla board member once locked Elon Musk's phone in a safe to keep him off Twitter. The billionaire forced hotel security to open it, biographer says."</a> by Grace Kay and Kali Hays, Business Insider, 2023 July 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-muskdrugs-421"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-muskdrugs_421-0">399.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-muskdrugs_421-1">399.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/larry-ellison-elon-musk-hawaii-dry-out-drugs-report-2024-2">"Former Tesla director Larry Ellison invited Elon Musk to Hawaii to 'dry out' from drugs, report says"</a> by Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert and Lloyd Lee, Business Insider, 2024 February 4</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-422"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-422">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://jalopnik.com/tesla-board-members-asked-elon-musk-to-go-to-rehab-rep-1851225242">"Tesla Board Members Asked Elon Musk To Go To Rehab: Report"</a> by Bradley Brownell, Jalopnik, 2024 February 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-tesladeaths-423"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-tesladeaths_423-0">401.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-tesladeaths_423-1">401.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tesladeaths.com/">Tesla Deaths</a> (2021).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-424"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-424">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/backseat-tesla-driver-unapologetic-after-arrest-for-reckless-driving/2544875/">Backseat Tesla Driver Unapologetic After Arrest for Reckless Driving: Soon after he was released, Param Sharma took to his Instagram page and uploaded a video that shows a driverless Tesla on The Embarcadero in San Francisco — with him in the backseat</a> by Sergio Quintana (Published May 13, 2021; Updated on May 14, 2021 at 7:20 am) <i>NBC Bay Area</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-425"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-425">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/10/10/tesla-full-self-driving/">Tesla tempted drivers with ‘insane’ mode and now is tracking them to judge safety. Experts say it’s ludicrous. Tesla’s system for rating drivers’ safety came under criticism as the company prepared to roll out its Full Self-Driving software to more owners.</a> by Faiz Siddiqui (October 10, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-426"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-426">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/12/23/tesla-video-games/">Tesla halts use of video games in moving cars amid safety probe: The move comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe into the ‘Passenger Play’ feature this week.</a> by Faiz Siddiqui (December 23, 2021) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-siddiqui1-427"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui1_427-0">405.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-siddiqui1_427-1">405.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/12/14/tesla-sexual-harassment/">Six Tesla workers file additional lawsuits alleging sexual harassment</a> by Faiz Siddiqui (December 14, 2021 at 3:07 p.m. EST) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-428"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-428">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.lioness.co/post/at-spacex-we-re-told-we-can-change-the-world-just-don-t-try-to-stop-the-sexual-harassment">At SpaceX, we're told we can change the world. I couldn't, however, stop getting sexually harassed.</a> by Ashley Kosak (2021) <i>Lioness</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-429"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-429">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/10/04/tesla-discrimination-case/">Jury orders Tesla to pay more than $130 million in discrimination suit, which alleged racist epithets and hostile work environment</a> by Faiz Siddiqui (October 5, 2021 at 1:47 a.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-430"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-430">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.smeissner.com/tesla-whistleblower/">Tesla Whistleblower</a> <i>Meissner Associates</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-431"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-431">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.fo/uHXi1">Since 2017, > 30 @tesla employees have been victim of whistleblower retaliation $TSLA Employees blew the whistle on fraud, safety , harassment, sexual assault & more. Most disturbing, many were terminated immediately after contacting Musk or ethics hotline. …</a> by Luis Carruthers (4:43 PM · Jul 23, 2019) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 26 Dec 2021 02:49:10 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-432"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-432">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-12-08/tesla-called-her-a-criminal-now-shes-representing-herself-at-the-ninth-circuit-court-of-appeals">Tesla called her a criminal. Her fight could be a milestone for employees’ rights</a> by Russ Mitchell (Dec. 8, 2020 5 AM PT) <i>Los Angeles Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-433"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-433">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/09/tech/elon-musk-twitter-layoffs-india-africa-hnk-intl/index.html">Layoffs could weaken Twitter in its biggest global growth markets</a> by Diksha Madhok (7:58 AM EST, Wed November 9, 2022) <i>CNN</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-434"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-434">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/16/elon-musk-humans-robots-slow-down-tesla-model-3-production">Elon Musk drafts in humans after robots slow down Tesla Model 3 production: ‘Humans are underrated,’ says CEO after company failed to hit weekly production target in first quarter of 2018</a> by Samuel Gibbs (16 Apr 2018 05.36 EDT) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-435"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-435">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/6jAjG">Yes, excessive automation at Tesla was a mistake. To be precise, my mistake. Humans are underrated.</a> by Elon Musk (:54 PM · Apr 13, 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 19 Oct 2024 17:34:33 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-cantor-436"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cantor_436-0">414.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cantor_436-1">414.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.alancantorconsulting.com/2024/03/the-charity-of-elon-musk/">The “Charity” of Elon Musk</a> by Alan Cantor (March 2024) <i>Alan Cantor Consulting</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-437"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-437">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/10/us/elon-musk-charity.html">Elon Musk Has a Giant Charity. Its Money Stays Close to Home. After making billions in tax-deductible donations to his philanthropy, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX gave away far less than required in some years — and what he did give often supported his own interests.</a> by David A. Fahrenthold and Ryan Mac (March 10, 2024) <i>The New York Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-438"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-438">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180617195134/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/214636339474345984">Wore Marquis de Sade outfit for a party last night. Was v popular with women who'd read 50 Shades :)</a> by Elon Musk (1:31 - 18 jun. 2012) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 17, 2018).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-439"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-439">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/04/technology/elon-musk-twitter.html">Elon Musk becomes Twitter’s largest shareholder</a>, NY Times, April 2022</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-440"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-440">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-to-name-elon-musk-to-its-board-of-directors-11649162614">Elon Musk to Join Twitter’s Board of Directors After Becoming Largest Shareholder: Tesla chief executive has built up a 9.2% stake in social-media company</a> by Sarah E. Needleman & Will Feuer (April 5, 2022 7:13 pm ET) <i>Wall Street Journal</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-441"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-441">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/elon-musk-great-replacement-conspiracy-theory-1234941337/">"Elon Musk All but Endorses the Great Replacement Conspiracy Theory"</a> by Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2024 January 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-442"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-442">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/12/media/elon-musk-x-conspiratorial-rabbit-hole/index.html">"Elon Musk is going down a conspiratorial rabbit hole and taking X with him"</a> by Oliver Darcy, CNN, 2023 December 2023</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-443"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-443">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/elon-musk-great-replacement-conspiracy-theory-1234941337/">[1]</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-444"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-444">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/21/musk-media-matters-texas/">"Elon Musk provides yet another platform for far-right attacks"</a> by Philip Bump, Washington Post, 2023 November 21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-445"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-445">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/25/elon-musk-hate-speech-lawsuit">"Judge dismisses ‘vapid’ Elon Musk lawsuit against group that cataloged racist content on X"</a> by Nick Robins-Early, Guardian, 2024 March 5</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-446"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-446">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/would-be-tesla-buyers-snub-company-musks-reputation-dips-2024-04-01/">"Would-be Tesla buyers snub company as Musk's reputation dips"</a> by Hyunjoo Jin and Nick Carey, Reuters, 2024 April 1</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-447"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-447">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1008013111058526209">By the way, I am actually a socialist. Just not the kind that shifts resources from most productive to least productive, pretending to do good, while actually causing harm. True socialism seeks greatest good for all.</a> by Elon Musk (8:47 AM - 16 Jun 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from July 14, 2018).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-448"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-448">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180618121519/https://twitter.com/AntVenom/status/1007752907641507840">What would you proclaim yourself as? Anything specifically?</a> by Taylor Harris as @AntVenom (3:33 PM - 15 Jun 2018). <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 18, 2018). Includes Musk's replies from the same day.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-449"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-449">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180616231027/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1008120904759402501">If you must know, I am a utopian anarchist of the kind best described by Iain Banks</a> by Elon Musk (3:55 PM - 16 Jun 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 16, 2018).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-450"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-450">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180617182634/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1008409974299508736">Iain Banks was an ardent trade unionist, @Elonmusk</a> by Cory Doctorow (17 Jun 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from June 17, 2018). Also includes the subsequent tweets.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-451"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-451">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/05/business/tesla-denmark-sweden-union-strike/index.html">Tesla's clash with Swedish workers risks spilling over into a regional fight</a> by Anna Cooban (December 5, 2023) <i>CNN Business</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-452"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-452">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/uaw-launches-bid-organize-tesla-entire-non-union-auto-sector-2023-11-29/">UAW launches bid to organize Tesla and 'entire non-union auto sector' in US</a> by David Shepardson (November 29, 2023) <i>Reuters</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-453"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-453">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/3ykWN">"Nothing stopping Tesla team at our car plant from voting union. Could do so tmrw if they wanted. But why pay union dues & give up stock options for nothing? Our safety record is 2X better than when plant was UAW & everybody already gets healthcare."</a> - @elonmusk. 6:44 AM on May 21, 2018.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-454"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-454">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43987141">Elon Musk: No 'bonehead' analyst questions please</a> <i>BBC News</i> 3 May 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-455"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-455">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/business/tesla-elon-musk.html">Elon Musk Rejects ‘Boring, Bonehead Questions,’ and Tesla’s Stock Slides</a> <i>The New York Times</i> 3 May 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-456"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-456">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180808210243/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1026872652290379776">Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured.</a> by Elon Musk (9:48 AM - 7 Aug 2018) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from August 8, 2018).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-457"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-457">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-must-face-shareholder-lawsuit-over-musks-going-private-tweet-2020-4?IR=T">A federal judge just ruled that Tesla must face a shareholder lawsuit over Elon Musk's tweet saying he was considering taking the company private</a> <i>Business Insider</i> 15 April 2020</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-458"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-458">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.barrons.com/news/tesla-shares-tumble-as-musk-says-stock-is-overvalued-01588364705?tesla=y">Tesla Shares Tumble As Musk Says Stock Is Overvalued</a> <i>Barron's</i> 1 May 2020</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-459"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-459">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200501160419/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1256239815256797184">Tesla stock price is too high imo</a> by Elon Musk (8:11 AM - 1 May 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from May 1, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-460"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-460">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/2022-modern-slavery-act-transparency-statement.pdf?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template">Tesla Modern Slavery Transparency Statement</a> <i>Tesla</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-halper-461"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-halper_461-0">439.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-halper_461-1">439.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-halper_461-2">439.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2023/electric-vehicles-forced-labor-china">EV makers’ use of Chinese suppliers raises concerns about forced labor: U.S. law barring parts and products from the Xinjiang region poses a challenge for Tesla and other auto companies</a> by Evan Halper (Sept. 18 at 5:00 p.m.) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-462"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-462">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Eamon Barrett, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.yahoo.com/video/elon-musk-flaunts-tesla-perfect-080658210.html">Elon Musk flaunts Tesla's perfect score on LGBTQ equality index, saying his company respects 'personal choices'</a>. (Jun 2, 2022). <i>Fortune</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-463"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-463">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://observer.com/2020/07/elon-musk-grimes-twitter-transphobia-pronouns-suck/">Elon Musk's transphobia on Twitter is not a joke</a>. <i>Observer.</i> 28 July 2020.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-BI-464"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-BI_464-0">442.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-BI_464-1">442.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-gender-pronouns-human-rights-campaign-lgbtq-transphobia-2020-12">Elon Musk should apologize for 'insensitive' comments mocking gender pronouns, says a group that ranked Tesla as a top LGBTQ-friendly workplace</a>. <i>Business Insider.</i> 18 December, 2020.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-465"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-465">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201214061143/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1338365886542049282">when you put he/him in ur bio</a> by Elon Musk (10:11 PM - 13 Dec 2020) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from December 14, 2020).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-466"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-466">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1643110-the-eternal-anglo">The Eternal Anglo - I LOVE TO OPPRESS.jpg</a> <i>Know Your Meme</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-467"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-467">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20eternal%20Anglo">Eternal Anglo</a> (February 16, 2017) <i>Urban Dictionary</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-468"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-468">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Daniel Arkin and Diana Dasrath, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elon-musks-daughter-granted-name-gender-change-rcna34984">Elon Musk's daughter granted name and gender change</a> (June 23, 2022) <i>NBC News</i></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-469"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-469">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Roula Khalaf, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/content/5ef14997-982e-4f03-8548-b5d67202623a">Elon Musk: "Aren't you entertained?"</a>. (October 7, 2022). <i>The Financial Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/J7VoS">(Archived on November 20, 2022)</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-470"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-470">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Andrea Blanco, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elon-musk-daughter-vivian-children-trans-b2199979.html">Elon Musk discusses estranged relationship with daughter: "Can't win them all"</a>. (October 11, 2022). <i>The Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-471"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-471">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Daysia Tolentino and David Ingram (June 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/musk-elon-twitter-ella-irwin-trans-video-what-is-a-woman-stream-rcna87429">"Musk’s response to an anti-trans video sparks 24 hours of chaos at Twitter"</a>. <i>NBC News</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-472"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-472">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Robert Carnevale (June 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thewrap.com/elon-musk-promotes-daily-wire-trans-documentary/">"Elon Musk Promoted the Matt Walsh Transgenderism Doc 'What Is a Woman' After Twitter Originally Restricted It"</a>. <i>The Wrap</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-473"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-473">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Prem Thakker (June 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/post/173184/elon-musk-personally-elevates-transphobic-video-originally-flagged-hate-speech">"Elon Musk Personally Elevates Transphobic Video Originally Flagged as Hate Speech"</a>. <i>The New Republic</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-474"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-474">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Prem Thakker (June 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/post/173201/elon-musk-calls-imprison-therapists-helping-trans-kids">"Elon Musk Calls to Imprison Therapists Helping Trans Kids"</a>. <i>The New Republic</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-RebStar-475"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-RebStar_475-0">453.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-RebStar_475-1">453.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Rebecca Hernandez (June 3, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/elon-musk-announces-plans-to-lobby-against-gender-affirming-care/224252">"Elon Musk Announces Plans to Lobby Against Gender-Affirming Care"</a>. <i>The Star Observer</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-476"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-476">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Paul Squire and Aaron McDade (June 2, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-shares-anti-trans-content-twitter-2023-6">"Elon Musk spent the last 24 hours spreading increasingly unhinged anti-trans content"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-477"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-477">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/07/22/elon-musk-jordan-peterson-interview/74506785007/">"Musk says estranged child's gender-affirming care sparked fight against 'woke mind virus'"</a> by Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2024 July 22</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-478"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-478">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://qz.com/elon-musk-transgender-child-woke-mind-virus-peterson-1851602197">"Elon Musk says his transgender child was figuratively 'killed by the woke mind virus'"</a> by William Gavin, QZ, 2024 July 23</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-479"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-479">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-transgender-daughter-vivian-wilson-interview-rcna163665">"Elon Musk's transgender daughter, in first interview, says he berated her for being queer as a child"</a> by David Ingram, NBC News, 2024 July 25</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-480"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-480">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.advocate.com/news/elon-musk-trans-daughter-vivian-wilson-biography-reaction">"Elon Musk's trans daughter, Vivian Wilson, slams his biography as 'genuinely defamatory"</a> by Ryan Adamczeski, Advocate, 2024 August 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-magneto-481"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-magneto_481-0">459.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-magneto_481-1">459.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230516035255/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1658291808592629761">Soros reminds me of Magneto</a> by Elon Musk (2:02 AM · May 16, 2023) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from May 16, 2023).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-482"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-482">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/05/16/george-soros-elon-musk-adl">Musk says George Soros ‘hates humanity,’ compares him to Jewish supervillain: The CEO of the Anti-Defamation League condemned Elon Musk’s comparison of Soros to Magneto — a Marvel villain who opposes humanity</a> by Avi Selk & Herb Scribner (May 16, 2023) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-483"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-483">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/20/antisemitic-tweets-soared-twitter-after-musk-took-over-study-finds/">Antisemitic tweets soared on Twitter after Musk took over, study finds</a> by Cristiano Lima & David DiMolfetta (March 20, 2023 at 9:02 a.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-484"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-484">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2022/12/12/1142399312/twitter-trust-and-safety-council-elon-musk">Musk's Twitter has dissolved its Trust and Safety Council</a> (December 12, 20229:59 PM ET) <i>Associated Press</i> via <i>NPR</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-485"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-485">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/05/17/elon-musk-george-soros-cnbc-israeli-government">Israeli government blasts Musk attack on Soros for ‘reeking of antisemitism’</a> by Avi Selk (May 17, 2023) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-486"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-486">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230430125458/https://twitter.com/breakingbaht">@breakingbaht</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived on 2023 April 30).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-487"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-487">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230505215451/https://twitter.com/breakingbaht">@breakingbaht</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived on 2023 May 5).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-488"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-488">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230522213153/https://twitter.com/breakingbaht">@breakingbaht</a> <i>Twitter</i> (archived on 2023 May 22).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-490"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-490">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.li/4rPGl">Okay. Jewish communties<small><sup>[<span title="short for: sic erat scriptum ('thus was it written'), meaning that it is intentionally spelled here like it was originally transcribed or translated from" style="border-bottom:1px dotted"><i>sic</i></span></sup></small></a> have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them. I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much. You want truth said to your face, there it is.] by "The Artist Formerly Known as Eric" (@breakingbaht) (2023 November 15) <i>Twitter</i> (archived on 2023 November 15).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-491"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-491">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mediamatters.org/twitter/musk-endorses-antisemitic-conspiracy-theory-x-has-been-placing-ads-apple-bravo-ibm-oracle">"As Musk endorses antisemitic conspiracy theory, X has been placing ads for Apple, Bravo, IBM, Oracle, and Xfinity next to pro-Nazi content"</a> by Eric Hananoki, Media Matters, 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-492"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-492">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-actual-truth-antisemitic-post-backlash-advertisers/">"Elon Musk faces growing backlash over his endorsement of antisemitic X post"</a> by Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2023 November 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-493"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-493">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/antisemites-are-saying-elon-musk-side-latest-tweets-jews-rcna125617">"Antisemites are saying Elon Musk is on their side after his latest tweets about Jews"</a> by David Ingram, NBC News, 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-494"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-494">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/16/tech/x-ads-pro-nazi-account-brand-safety/index.html">"Two brands suspend advertising on X after their ads appeared next to pro-Nazi content"</a> by Claire Duffy and Brian Fung, CNN, 2023 August 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-495"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-495">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/12/steve-bannon-calls-elon-musk-racist">Steve Bannon condemns Elon Musk as ‘racist’ and ‘truly evil’: Ex-Trump adviser denounces tech CEO’s embrace of some forms of immigration and vows to ‘take this guy down’</a> by Chris Michael (12 Jan 2025 11.49 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-496"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-496">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/08/01/musk-south-africa-apartheid-chant-malema">Elon Musk raises the specter of ‘white genocide’</a> by Ishaan Tharoor (August 1, 2023 at 7:29 p.m. EDT) <i>The Washington Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-497"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-497">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.li/kI1Wc">"White people are the only ones who are supposed to hate their own race in order to be considered good people Whiteness is the only culture identified by those outside it and not those who are part of it And white culture is the only one where hatred of it is considered a virtue"</a> by Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec), Twitter, archived on 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-498"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-498">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.li/HY7iO">"Everyone is allowed to be proud of their race, except for white people, because we’ve been brainwashed into believing that our history was somehow “worse” than that of other races. That false narrative needs to die - and if we really want to do the comparing game, white people have also done A LOT of good for the world."</a> by Eva Vlaardingerbroek (@EvaVlaar), Twitter, 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-499"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-499">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitter-linda-yaccarino-elon-musk-antisemitism-loses-ibm-1234883598/">"Twitter CEO Says Platform Is Fighting Antisemitism a Day After Owner Elon Musk Endorsed It"</a> by Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2023 November 16</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-500"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-500">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/elon-musk-on-great-replacement-theory-low-birth-rate-not-immigration-to-blame-for-europe-falling-white-population/amp-11714280085982.html">Elon Musk on ‘Great Replacement Theory’ says THIS, not immigration to blame for Europe's ‘falling white population’</a> Mint</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-cnnriots-501"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnriots_501-0">478.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-cnnriots_501-1">478.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/tech/uk-protests-social-media/index.html">"UK riots show how social media can fuel real-life harm. It’s only getting worse"</a> by Brian Fung, CNN, 2024 August 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-502"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-502">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/katie-hopkins-tommy-robinson-twitter-x-b2442281.html">"Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins reinstated on X as Elon Musk overturns Twitter bans"</a> by Holly Evans, Independent, 2023 November 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-503"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-503">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/06/britain-race-riots-tommy-robinson-elon-musk">"Where are the brave inciters of Britain’s race riots? From Tommy to Elon, they’re far, far away"</a> by Marina Hyde, Guardian, 2024 August 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-504"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-504">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/space/elon-musk-tommy-robinson-prime-minister-southport-spacex-b2590114.html">"Elon Musk engages with Tommy Robinson as social media warned over misinformation"</a> by Martyn Landi, Independent, 2024 August 2</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-505"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-505">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newrepublic.com/post/184743/elon-musk-stoke-civil-war-uk-race-riots">"Elon Musk Won’t Quit Trying to Stoke Civil War in the U.K."</a> by Paige Oamek, New Republic, 2024 August 9</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-506"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-506">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/10/nx-s1-5066896/uks-worst-riots-in-years-were-incited-by-online-disinformation-about-asylum-seekers">"UK's worst riots in years were incited by online disinformation about asylum seekers"</a>, NPR Weekend Edition, Transcript, 2024 August 10</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-507"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-507">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/elon-musk-uk-civil-war-far-right-riots-keir-starmer-southport-rcna165316">"Elon Musk says civil war is coming to the U.K. The British beg to differ."</a> by Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 2024 August 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-508"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-508">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/world/europe/interpreter-uk-riots.html">"Trying to Capitalize on Anti-Migrant Riots Could Backfire on U.K.’s Far Right"</a> by Amanda Taub, New York Times, 2024 August 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-509"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-509">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/50265-almost-half-of-britons-now-believe-right-wing-extremists-are-a-major-threat-following-2024-riots">"Almost half of Britons now believe right-wing extremists are a major threat following 2024 riots"</a> by Matthew Smith, YouGov, 2024 August 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-510"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-510">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/uk/uk-far-right-counter-protests-intl/index.html">"‘More of us than you’: Thousands of anti-racism protesters turn out to counter far-right rallies in UK"</a> by Christian Edwards and Rob Picheta, CNN, 2024 August 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-511"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-511">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-kier-starmer-uk-riots-posts-b2591881.html">"Elon Musk launches Twitter tirade over far-right riots as minister brands billionaire ‘deeply irresponsible’"</a> by Millie Cooke, Independent, 2024 August 6</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-512"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-512">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp35w0kj2y4o">"Musk shares faked far-right 'detainment camp' for rioters post"</a>, BBC, 2024 August 8</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-513"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-513">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/aug/12/labour-mps-begin-quitting-x-over-hate-and-disinformation">"Labour MPs begin quitting X over ‘hate and disinformation’"</a> by Eleni Courea, Guardian, 2024 August 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-514"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-514">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bluesky-signups-surge-uk-amid-musks-row-with-government-over-riots-2024-08-13/">"Bluesky signups surge in UK amid Musk's feud with government over riots"</a> by Deborah Mary Sophia, Reuters, 2024 August 13</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-515"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-515">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/oFnou#selection-5013.44-5013.226">"With Bluesky, the social media echo chamber is back in vogue"</a> by Jemima Kelly, Financial Times, 2024 September 22, archived on 2024 September 24</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-516"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-516">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/WpJ2J">🤡🌎</a> by Elon Musk (8:13 PM · Jan 11, 2025) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 13 Jan 2025 16:11:32 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-517"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-517">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/13/gavin-newsom-elon-musk-fires-looting">Newsom accuses Musk of encouraging looting in LA fires disinformation spat: Billionaire reposted false claim as Republicans seek to condition disaster aid to Democratic-controlled California</a> by Robert Tait (13 Jan 2025 11.12 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-518"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-518">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/world/asia/elon-musk-thai-cave-rescue.html">Elon Musk Thinks a Mini-Submarine Could Help in Thai Cave Rescue</a> <i>The New York Times</i> 7 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-519"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-519">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vox.com/2018/7/18/17576302/elon-musk-thai-cave-rescue-submarine">Elon Musk and the Thai cave rescue: a tale of good intentions and bad tweets</a> <i>Vox</i> 18 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-520"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-520">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6792661/who-vernon-unsworth-thai-cave-rescue-pedo-guy-elon-musk-sue/">HERO'S LAWSUIT Who is Vernon Unsworth? Thailand cave diver dubbed ‘paedo guy’ by Elon Musk</a> <i>The Sun</i> 7 December 2019</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-521"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-521">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/15/elon-musk-british-diver-thai-cave-rescue-pedo-twitter">Elon Musk calls British diver in Thai cave rescue 'pedo' in baseless attack</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 16 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-522"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-522">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/exclusive-interview-with-thai-cave-rescue-hero-vernon-unsworth-if-the-brits-hadn-t-been-called-in-it-would-have-been-too-late-qhdpbw8bm">Exclusive interview with Thai cave rescue hero Vernon Unsworth: ‘If the Brits hadn’t been called in, it would have been too late’</a> <i>The Times</i> 15 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-523"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-523">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-musk-pedophile-twitter-fight-20180715-story.html">Cave diver criticizes Musk’s kid-sub rescue plan. Musk suggests he’s a pedophile</a> <i>Los Angeles Times</i> 15 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-524"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-524">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://fortune.com/2018/07/18/elon-musk-pedo-apology/">Elon Musk Has Finally Apologized to the Thai Cave Diver He Called a ‘Pedo’</a> <i>Fortune</i> 18 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-525"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-525">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/15/elon-musk-british-diver-thai-cave-rescue-pedo-twitter">Elon Musk calls British diver in Thai cave rescue 'pedo' in baseless attack</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 16 July 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-526"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-526">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-calls-british-cave-diver-child-rapist.html">Elon Musk attacks British cave diver for a third time, calling him a ‘child rapist’</a> by Ryan Browne (5 September 2018) <i>CNBC</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-527"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-527">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-pedo-guy-vern-unsworth-thailand-1477942">Elon Musk 'Set Out to Destroy Me,' Says Cave Diver After Losing 'Pedo Guy' Defamation Lawsuit Against Tesla Boss</a> <i>Newsweek</i> 18 December 2019</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-528"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-528">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/08/elon-musk-diver-vernon-unsworth-pedo-idiot">Elon Musk claims his investigator tricked him about diver he called a 'pedo'</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 9 October 2019</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-529"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-529">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-vernon-unsworth-pedo-guy-defamation-lawsuit-twitter-troll">Elon Musk defends his right to be a Twitter troll at 'pedo guy' trial Billionaires gonna troll.</a> by Rachel Kraus (December 4, 2019) <i>Mashable</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-doxgov-530"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-doxgov_530-0">507.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-doxgov_530-1">507.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/27/business/elon-musk-government-employees-targets/index.html">"Elon Musk publicized the names of government employees he wants to cut. It's terrifying federal workers"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a></i>. November 27, 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=CNN&rft.atitle=Elon+Musk+publicized+the+names+of+government+employees+he+wants+to+cut.+It%E2%80%99s+terrifying+federal+workers&rft.date=2024-11-27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F11%2F27%2Fbusiness%2Felon-musk-government-employees-targets%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-PopMars-531"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-PopMars_531-0">508.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-PopMars_531-1">508.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-PopMars_531-2">508.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-PopMars_531-3">508.3</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Sarah Jones (July 7, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/07/elon-musk-tries-to-populate-mars-himself.html">"Is Elon Musk Trying to Populate Mars Himself?"</a>. <i>Intelligencer</i> (<i>New York</i>).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-532"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-532">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Kenzie Bryant (September 11, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/09/elon-musk-grimes-shivon-zilis-children">"All Is Well Again in House Elon Musk"</a>. <i>Vanity Fair</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-533"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-533">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Elon Musk (September 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1703888466990530913">"A major part of the fall of Rome was low birth rates"</a>. <i>Twitter</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-534"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-534">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">(December 16, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/12/16/elon-musk-talks-x-advertising-and-birth-rates-in-rome">"Elon Musk urges people in developed countries to have more children"</a>. <i>Euronews</i> (with <i>Agence France-Presse</i>).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-SmartPeople-535"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-SmartPeople_535-0">512.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-SmartPeople_535-1">512.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Abigail Adams (September 11, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://people.com/elon-musk-wants-smart-people-to-have-kids-executive-he-welcomed-twins-with-says-new-book-7967996">"Elon Musk 'Wants Smart People to Have Kids,' Executive He Welcomed Twins with Says in New Book"</a>. <i>People</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-536"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-536">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Elon Musk (February 13, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1757543126829514992">"Ehrlich was instrumental in causing a massive genocide of the next generation of humans"</a>. <i>Twitter</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-RealNatal-537"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-RealNatal_537-0">514.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-RealNatal_537-1">514.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Heffernan (October 26, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/real-reason-elon-musk-population-panic/">The Real Reason Elon Musk Wants You to Have More Babies</a>. <i>WIRED</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-538"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-538">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Josh Marcus (July 4, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elon-musk-children-voting-rights-b2369096.html">"Elon Musk supports eliminating voting rights for people without children"</a>. <i>The Independent</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-539"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-539">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Cheryl Teh (March 7, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-smart-boys-more-sex-concerning-2023-3">"Elon Musk says it's 'super concerning' that smart youths aren't having as much sex as those with average IQs, referencing data from a study published 23 years ago"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-540"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-540">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Pete Shanks (September 21, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/natalism-and-hipster-eugenics">"Natalism and Hipster Eugenics"</a>. <i>Center for Genetics and Society</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-541"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-541">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Steve Mollman (December 16, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://fortune.com/2023/12/16/jeff-bezos-elon-musk-human-population-outer-space-mars-spacex-blue-origin/">"Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk say human population not nearly big enough: 'If we had a trillion humans, we would have at any given time a thousand Mozarts'"</a>. <i>Fortune</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-542"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-542">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Thomas Germain (January 10, 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-endorses-tweet-saying-students-at-black-colle-1851156533">"Elon Musk Seems to Endorse Tweet Saying Students at Black Colleges Have Low IQs"</a>. <i>Gizmodo</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-543"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-543">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Andréa Becker (October 16, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/elon-musk-grimes-babies-pronatalism-research.html">"Elon Musk's Feud With Grimes Is a Warning"</a>. <i>Slate</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-544"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-544">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Charisma Madarang (April 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-tucker-carlson-fox-birth-control-abortion-1234717505/">"Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson Discuss the Urge to Impregnate Women"</a>. <i>Rolling Stone</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-545"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-545">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Samantha Riedel (April 14, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.them.us/story/elon-musk-twitter-transphobic-tweets">"Elon Musk Suggests Doctors Who Treat Trans Youth Should 'Go to Prison for Life'"</a>. <i>Them</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-546"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-546">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Noor Al-Sibai (March 18, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/elon-musk-trans-debate">"Oh, Great, Elon Musk Has Entered the Trans Kids 'Debate' Chat"</a>. <i>Neoscope</i> (<i>Futurism</i>.).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-547"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-547">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFPoretskyHembree2019" class="citation journal cs1">Poretsky, Leonid; Hembree, Wylie C., eds. (2019). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-05683-4">"Transgender Medicine"</a>. <i>Contemporary Endocrinology</i>: <span class="nowrap">83–</span>84. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-030-05683-4">10.1007/978-3-030-05683-4</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2523-3785">2523-3785</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Contemporary+Endocrinology&rft.atitle=Transgender+Medicine&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E83-%3C%2Fspan%3E84&rft.date=2019&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1007%2F978-3-030-05683-4&rft.issn=2523-3785&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Fbook%2F10.1007%2F978-3-030-05683-4&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-548"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-548">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Joey Nolfi (August 10, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ew.com/celebrity/grimes-long-conversation-elon-musk-trans-issues/">"Grimes had 'long conversation' with Elon Musk about trans issues: 'He's unhappy with woke people'"</a>. <i>Entertainment Weekly</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-549"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-549">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Steven Levy (August 8, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/grimes-big-interview/">"Grimes on Living Forever, Dying on Mars, and Giving Elon Musk Ideas for His Best (Worst) Tweets"</a>. <i>WIRED</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-550"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-550">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFde_Nievan_MelloVlahakisCooper2023" class="citation journal cs1">de Nie, Iris; van Mello, Norah M.; Vlahakis, Emanuel; Cooper, Charlie; Peri, Angus; den Heijer, Martin; Meißner, Andreas; Huirne, Judith; Pang, Ken C. (2023-01-17). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9873819/">"Successful restoration of spermatogenesis following gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender women"</a>. <i>Cell Reports Medicine</i>. <b>4</b> (1): 100858. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.xcrm.2022.100858">10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100858</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2666-3791">2666-3791</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="PMID (identifier)">PMID</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36652919">36652919</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Cell+Reports+Medicine&rft.atitle=Successful+restoration+of+spermatogenesis+following+gender-affirming+hormone+therapy+in+transgender+women&rft.volume=4&rft.issue=1&rft.pages=100858&rft.date=2023-01-17&rft.issn=2666-3791&rft_id=info%3Apmid%2F36652919&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.xcrm.2022.100858&rft.aulast=de+Nie&rft.aufirst=Iris&rft.au=van+Mello%2C+Norah+M.&rft.au=Vlahakis%2C+Emanuel&rft.au=Cooper%2C+Charlie&rft.au=Peri%2C+Angus&rft.au=den+Heijer%2C+Martin&rft.au=Mei%C3%9Fner%2C+Andreas&rft.au=Huirne%2C+Judith&rft.au=Pang%2C+Ken+C.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC9873819%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-551"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-551">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="CITEREFGhofranianEstevezGellmanGounko2023" class="citation journal cs1">Ghofranian, Atoosa; Estevez, Samantha L.; Gellman, Caroline; Gounko, Dmitry; Lee, Joseph A.; Thornton, Kimberly; Copperman, Alan B. (2023-12-01). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fertstertreports.org/article/S2666-3341(23)00108-3/fulltext">"Fertility treatment outcomes in transgender men with a history of testosterone therapy"</a>. <i>F&S Reports</i>. <b>4</b> (4): <span class="nowrap">367–</span>374. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.xfre.2023.10.006">10.1016/j.xfre.2023.10.006</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2666-3341">2666-3341</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=F%26S+Reports&rft.atitle=Fertility+treatment+outcomes+in+transgender+men+with+a+history+of+testosterone+therapy&rft.volume=4&rft.issue=4&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E367-%3C%2Fspan%3E374&rft.date=2023-12-01&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.xfre.2023.10.006&rft.issn=2666-3341&rft.aulast=Ghofranian&rft.aufirst=Atoosa&rft.au=Estevez%2C+Samantha+L.&rft.au=Gellman%2C+Caroline&rft.au=Gounko%2C+Dmitry&rft.au=Lee%2C+Joseph+A.&rft.au=Thornton%2C+Kimberly&rft.au=Copperman%2C+Alan+B.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fertstertreports.org%2Farticle%2FS2666-3341%2823%2900108-3%2Ffulltext&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-552"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-552">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Jacqueline Mroz (October 21, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://archive.today/2022.10.21-114609/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/science/sperm-retrieval-essm-transgender-fertility.html">"A New Procedure Could Expand Reproductive Choices for Transgender Women"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-553"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-553">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/18/opinion/human-population-global-growth.html">"The World’s Population May Peak in Your Lifetime. What Happens Next?"</a> by Dean Spears, New York Times, 2023 September 26</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-554"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-554">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vox.com/23971366/declining-birth-rate-fertility-babies-children">"You can’t even pay people to have more kids"</a> by Anna North, Vox, 2023 November 27</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-555"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-555">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Kim T. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10355408/">The impact of working hours on pregnancy intention in childbearing-age women in Korea, the country with the world's lowest fertility rate.</a> PLoS One. 2023 Jul 19;18(7):e0288697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288697. PMID: 37467184; PMCID: PMC10355408.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-556"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-556">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">[Ahn J, Lee SH, Park MY, Oh SH, Lee W. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8640650/">The Association Between Long Working Hours and Infertility</a>. Saf Health Work. 2021 Dec;12(4):517-521. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.07.005. Epub 2021 Jul 14. PMID: 34900371; PMCID: PMC8640650.]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-557"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-557">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-12/itochu-overtime-ban-offers-solutions-for-japan-birthrate-decline">"A Japanese Company Bans Late-Night Work. A Baby Boom Soon Follows"</a> by Kanoko Matsuyama, Bloomberg, 2023 July 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-558"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-558">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/lack-paid-family-leave-support-work-partly-blame/story?id=60330818">"Lack of paid family leave, support at work partly to blame for 30-year low in fertility rates: Experts"</a> by Kaelyn Forde, ABC News, 2019 January 12</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-559"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-559">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://eig.org/remote-work-family-formation/">"Early Remote Work Impacts on Family Formation"</a> by Lyman Stone and Adam Ozimek, Economic Innovation Group, 2023 March 7</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-560"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-560">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/elon-musk-says-remote-work-is-morally-wrong/452358">"Elon Musk Says Remote Work Is 'Morally Wrong,' Calls It 'Messed Up'"</a> by Madeline Garfinkle, Entrepreneur, 2023 May 17</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-561"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-561">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/MM0tR">"Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out of control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP (unprecedented!), to help him with his poorly executed WITCH HUNT against “TRUMP” and “MAGA.” Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and “sick” as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!"</a>. @realDonaldTrump, <i>Truth Social</i>, 2023 December 23, archived on 25 December 2023.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-562"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-562">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/why-elon-musk-is-changing-position-on-trump-2017-1">Here's why Elon Musk is changing his tune on Trump</a> <i>Business Insider</i> 29 January 2017</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-563"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-563">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/05/elon-musk-melts-down-blames-scumbag-tesla-critics-for-electing-trump">Elon Musk melts down, blames scumbag tesla critics for electing trump</a> <i>Vanity Fair</i> 23 May 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-564"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-564">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/musk-trump-twitter-tariff-tiff/">Elon Musk's and Donald Trump's Twitter Tariff Tiff</a> <i>Wired</i> 12 March 2018</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-565"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-565">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/01/elon-musk-leaving-trump-advisory-councils-following-paris-agreement-withdrawal/">Elon Musk leaving Trump advisory councils following Paris agreement withdrawal</a> <i>TechCrunch</i> 1 June 2017</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-566"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-566">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.is/0UB7Z">Elon Musk’s Political Shift: How The Billionaire Moved From Backing Obama To Endorsing DeSantis</a> by Sara Dorn (November 27, 2022) <i>Forbes</i> (archived from 1 Dec 2022 13:41:51 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-567"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-567">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/20/elon-musk-claims-only-afd-can-save-germany">Outrage as Elon Musk claims ‘only AfD can save Germany’</a> by Kate Connolly (20 Dec 2024 13.08 EST) <i>The Guardian</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-568"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-568">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052448/quotes/"><i>Get Out</i>: Quotes</a> <i>IMDb</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-569"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-569">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/WbFde">"How Elon Musk Chose Trump"</a> by Theodore Schleifer and Ryan Mac, New York Times, 2024 July 18</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-570"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-570">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/07/style/elon-musk-donald-trump-campaign-rally.html">Elon Musk’s Giant Leap</a> NYTimes</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-571"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-571">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/breaking-elon-musk-hitler-salute-34518373">Elon Musk 'makes Nazi salute' two or three times during inauguration speech</a> by Emily Hodgkin (Jan 20 2025) <i>Irish Star</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-572"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-572">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.jpost.com/international/article-838444">Did Elon Musk Sieg Heil at Trump's inauguration? Musk was seen making the gesture twice on live television.</a> by Mathilda Heller (January 20, 2025 22:29; Updated: January 21, 2025 21:18) <i>The Jerusalem Post</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-573"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-573">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://x.com/BonillaJL/status/1881453980661801364">CNN's Erin Burnett and Kasie Hunt omit @elonmusk saying "I'm giving you my heart" after greeting the crowd, failing the "smear @elonmusk as a Nazi without saying Nazi so as to avoid another defamation lawsuit" challenge</a> by Eric Bonilla (1:29 PM · Jan 20, 2025) <i>Twitter</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-574"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-574">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://newsbusters.org/node/287584/print">CNN, Going for Their Next Defamation Lawsuit, Smear Elon Musk as a Nazi</a> by Jorge Bonilla (January 20<sup>th</sup>, 2025 9:31 PM) <i>Newsbusters</i>. Note: inflammatory headline by wingnut website <i>Newsbusters</i>; Burnett made no such statement that the headline implied.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-575"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-575">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/elon-musk-hand-gesture-speech.html">Elon Musk Ignites Online Speculation Over the Meaning of a Hand Gesture: Speaking at a celebratory rally in Washington, Mr. Musk twice extended his arm out with his palm facing down, drawing comparisons to the Nazi salute.</a> by Ryan Mac (Jan. 20, 2025) <i>The New York Times</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-576"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-576">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/hL9ZF">This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.</a> by ADL (10:52 PM · Jan 20, 2025) <i>Twitter</i> (archived from 20 Jan 2025 23:00:42 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-578"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-578">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/01/23/musk-salute-fascist-democrats-cancel-culture/77845518007/">Elon is Hitler? Liberals regress to cancel culture to compensate for their loss. | Opinion</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-579"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-579">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-gesture-salute-antisemitism-0070dae53c7a73397b104ae645877535">Musk’s straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-580"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-580">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/yes-elon-it-was-a-nazi-salute-and-autism-is-no-excuse/a633559066.html">Yes, Elon, it was a Nazi salute... and autism is no excuse</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-581"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-581">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-musk-autism-salute_l_67913d9fe4b0dd8cd970142e">Some Are Excusing Elon Musk's Disturbing Salute As Autism — And Autistic People Have Thoughts</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-582"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-582">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://news.yahoo.com/news/people-excusing-elon-musks-disturbing-183544349.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMtxaf05oCCMe73sGCraKIFEhffv0pj-pmDaWYpl9DVPWSONyem6rrHKtb2ph7tHrqdu1BAfBEXgOQiwqlb3AKx1mXWfeH7EbMaeSXenpVm07FtVbiEiNX16GxN6pgjsoKZTE2W8WvjapIzx9a_KljmN-0mYvRHWYQp1W8SaZOxy">After Some People Claimed Elon Musk's Disturbing Salute Was Because Of Autism, Others With Autism Have Weighed In</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-584"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-584">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/blog/how-misunderstandings-and-stigma-around-autism-can-impact-mental-health">[2]</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-585"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-585">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://myautismmind.com/autism-stereotypes/">Breaking Down the Top 10 Autism Stereotypes: Unveiling the Truth</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-586"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-586">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5110403-scott-jennings-elon-musk-salute/">CNN panelist dares Scott Jennings to perform Musk salute on live TV</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-587"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-587">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r2708880"/><cite id="Template:Sfnref" class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://lemkininstitute.com/so/2ePI6uVmv?languageTag=en&cid=b9e77e42-af15-43eb-b845-d6d3f9c060ab">"New Red Flag Alert for Genocide -- for the USA"</a>. <i>Lemkin Institute</i>. 2024-11-04<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2025-01-23</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Lemkin+Institute&rft.atitle=New+Red+Flag+Alert+for+Genocide+--+for+the+USA&rft.date=2024-11-04&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Flemkininstitute.com%2Fso%2F2ePI6uVmv%3FlanguageTag%3Den%26cid%3Db9e77e42-af15-43eb-b845-d6d3f9c060ab&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Frationalwiki.org%3AElon+Musk" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-588"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-588">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5103537-adl-which-had-defended-musk-takes-issue-with-his-nazi-puns/">ADL, which had defended Musk, takes issue with his Nazi puns</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-589"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-589">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wired.com/story/neo-nazis-love-elon-musk-nazi-like-salutes-trumps-inauguration/">Neo-Nazis Love the Nazi-Like Salutes Elon Musk Made at Trump’s Inauguration</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-590"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-590">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Nur Ibrahim (January 28, 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/01/28/elon-musk-billionaire-nazi/">"Former Friend of Elon Musk Says Billionaire 'Believes He Is Above Everyone Else'"</a>. <i>Snopes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-591"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-591">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.li/PkWxL">Dr. Philip Low’s Post</a> by Philip Low (January 28, 2025 at 7:56 AM) <i>LinkedIn</i> (archived from 28 Jan 2025 14:33:40 UTC).</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-592"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-592">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/01/28/elon-musk-billionaire-nazi/">Former Friend of Elon Musk Says Billionaire 'Believes He Is Above Everyone Else': Philip Low shared his views on Musk's alleged Nazi salute in widely shared posts on Facebook and LinkedIn.</a> by Nur Ibrahim (Jan. 28, 2025) <i>Snopes</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-593"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-593">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Dorothy Thompson (August 1941). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://harpers.org/archive/1941/08/who-goes-nazi/">"Who Goes Nazi?"</a>. <i>Harper's Magazine</i>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-McFall300125-594"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-McFall300125_594-0">569.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-McFall300125_594-1">569.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-McFall300125_594-2">569.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Marni Rose McFall <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/activists-brand-tesla-vehicles-swasticar-stickers-2023645">Activists Brand Tesla Vehicles with 'Swasticar' Stickers</a> <i>Newsweek</i> 30 January 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-595"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-595">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Gabe Whisnant and Jesus Mesa <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-controversial-salute-image-beamed-tesla-factory-berlin-2019279">Elon Musk Controversial Salute Image Beamed on Tesla Factory in Berlin</a> <i>Newsweek</i> 22 January 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-596"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-596">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250303-dozen-teslas-torched-outside-french-dealership-authorities">Dozen Teslas torched outside French dealership: authorities</a> <i>AFP</i> 3 March 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Mortimer270125-597"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-0">572.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-1">572.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-2">572.2</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-3">572.3</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Mortimer270125_597-4">572.4</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Josiah Mortimer <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://bylinetimes.com/2025/01/27/elon-musk-is-accidentally-helping-to-raise-thousands-for-progressive-causes-in-the-uk/">Elon Musk is Accidentally Helping to Raise Thousands for Progressive Causes in the UK</a> <i>Byline Times</i> 27 January 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-moss100325-598"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-moss100325_598-0">573.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-moss100325_598-1">573.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-moss100325_598-2">573.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Emily Moss <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/charity-campaign-projects-to-raise-100000-from-elon-musks-social-media-posts.html">Charity campaign projects to raise £100,000 from Elon Musk’s social media posts</a> <i>Civil Society</i> 10 March 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-davis030325-599"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-davis030325_599-0">574.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-davis030325_599-1">574.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Nicola Davis <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://amp.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/03/elon-musk-royal-society-fellowship-survives-fractious-members-meeting">Elon Musk survives as fellow of Royal Society despite anger among scientists</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 3 March 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-stallard040325-600"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-stallard040325_600-0">575.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-stallard040325_600-1">575.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Esme Stallard and Victoria Gill <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3e44ge0xnwo">Elon Musk sparks row at Royal Society but remains a member</a> <i>BBC News</i> 4 March 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-davis230824-601"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-davis230824_601-0">576.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-davis230824_601-1">576.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-davis230824_601-2">576.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Nicola Davis <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/aug/23/royal-society-facing-calls-to-expel-elon-musk-amid-concerns-about-conduct">Royal Society facing calls to expel Elon Musk amid concerns about conduct</a> <i>The Guardian</i> 23 August 2024</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-602"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-602">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://royalsociety.org/people/elon-musk-13829/">Mr Elon Musk FRS</a> <i>The Royal Society</i></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-jones251124-603"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-jones251124_603-0">578.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-jones251124_603-1">578.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Frances Jones <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-charities-and-societies-2024-11-royal-society-fellow-resigns-over-elon-musk-membership/">Royal Society fellow resigns over Elon Musk membership</a> <i>Research Professional News</i> 25 November 2024</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-604"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-604">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://royalsociety.org/about-us/how-we-are-governed/governance/">Governance</a> <i>The Royal Society</i></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-else130225-605"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-else130225_605-0">580.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-else130225_605-1">580.1</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-else130225_605-2">580.2</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Holly Else <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.ph/cH9xA">Royal Society will meet amid campaign to revoke Elon Musk’s fellowship</a> <i>Nature</i> 13 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-606"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-606">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Dorothy Bishop <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://deevybee.blogspot.com/2024/11/why-i-have-resigned-from-royal-society.html">Why I have resigned from the Royal Society</a> <i>BishopBlog</i> 25 November 2024</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-607"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-607">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Stephen Curry <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://occamstypewriter.org/scurry/2025/02/11/open-letter-president-royal-society-stand-up-values/">An open letter to the President of the Royal Society – time to stand up for your values</a> <i>Reciprocal Space</i> 11 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-jones120225-608"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-jones120225_608-0">583.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-jones120225_608-1">583.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text">Frances Jones <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-charities-and-societies-2025-2-second-royal-society-fellow-resigns-over-musk-s-membership/">Royal Society fellow resigns over Elon Musk membership</a> <i>Research Professional News</i> 12 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-609"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-609">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Andrew Millar <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2025-february-i-do-not-want-a-fellowship-that-can-include-such-actions/">‘I do not want a fellowship that can include such actions’</a> <i>Research Professional News</i> 13 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-610"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-610">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-royal-society-discuss-fellows-behaviours-amid-musk-controversy-2025-02-15/">UK's Royal Society to discuss fellows' behaviours amid Musk controversy</a> <i>Reuters</i> 15 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-611"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-611">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text">Andrew Millar <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2025-february-i-do-not-want-a-fellowship-that-can-include-such-actions/">‘I do not want a fellowship that can include such actions’</a> <i>Research Professional News</i> 13 February 2025</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-612"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-612">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://royalsociety.org/news/2025/03/royal-society-statement/">Royal Society statement</a> <i>The Royal Society</i></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-613"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-613">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://bigthink.com/technology-innovation/this-elon-musk-interview-reveals-if-he-prefers-nikola-tesla-or-thomas-edison">Elon Musk interview reveals whether he prefers Nikola Tesla to Thomas Edison</a> <i>Big Think</i> 4 February 2019</span> </li> 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