Elon Musk, billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla, has enlightened more on his earlier remark on ‘free speech’ which he was referring to the law in countries where speech is fiercely protected.
He tweeted this a day after his $44billion takeover deal for Twitter was accepted and consummated.
In clarifying his take on the subject, Musk has tried to explain what he meant by “free speech” on Twitter, a day after the social media company accepted his $44billion takeover deal.
According to Musk, he enlightened that “Free speech” includes all speech that’s consistent with the law, and if people want less free speech, they will ask the government to pass laws to that effect and also said that free expression must be consistent with the law and that he opposes censorship that goes beyond the law.
He noted @elonmusk Wed, April 27, 2022, that “by ‘free speech’, I simply mean that which matches the law.
“I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask the government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.”
In reference to his critics, the billionaire businessman further said: “The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all.”
Any trouble ahead? “Free speech” has been prominent in Musk’s stated plans for the social media platform, the ETTech report stated.
Nevertheless, several tech experts have said that the Tesla CEO’s $44-billion takeover offer for Twitter could lead to more run-ins with governments in countries such as India, where free speech is not protected as fiercely as it is in the US.
Meanwhile, Tesla lost $126billion in value Tuesday, April 26 amid investor concerns that Musk may have to sell shares to fund his $21 billion equity contribution to his $44billion buyout of Twitter.
Although Tesla is not involved in the Twitter deal, its shares have been targeted by speculators after Musk declined to disclose publicly where his cash for the acquisition is coming from, a report said.
The 12.2 percent drop in Tesla’s shares Tuesday equated to a $21billion drop in the value of his Tesla stake, the same amount in cash he has committed to the Twitter deal.