Guest op-eds do not always reflect the opinions of the author. RedState.com.)
On April 25, Elon Musk—who describes himself as a “free speech absolutist”—purchased Twitter, the world’s primary marketplace for the exchange of ideas and information, for $46.5 billion.
Soon after, the public was made aware. Musk said, “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.”
He continued:
“I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”
Expectedly, Musk’s takeover of Twitter, which has been the antithesis of a free speech platform for the past several years, was a very triggering experience for many on the left, who apparently abhor freedom of speech.
But, rather than debating Musk, or any other person who supports strong freedom-of-expression on Twitter, many leftists resort to ad hominem attack and playing the “race card”.
For instance, leftwing media darling Shaun King tweetedThis attack is completely baseless:
“At its root, Elon Musk wanting to purchase Twitter is not about left vs right. It’s about white power. This man was born in Apartheid and raised by white nationalists. He’s upset that Twitter won’t allow white nationalists to target/harass people. That’s his definition of free speech.”
King then posted a series of tweets decrying Musk as a racist who “created a work environment” similar to “Jim Crow.” And, that Tesla is wrought with “overt racism and bigotry within the company.”
King, like usual, offered no proof to back up his bizarre accusations of racism. Some might say King is guilty of spewing “misinformation.” Others, who believe in free speech, would say he is merely expressing his opinion.
King, however, was not the only leftist media acolyte to play the racist card against Musk. MSNBC host Joy Reid said Musk purchasing Twitter is akin to “a racist taking over Twitter.” Like King, Reid lobbed her vile attack into the Twitter universe sans any evidence.
Make no mistake, these are but a few examples of the abhorrent attacks many on the leftwing Twitterati have spewed since Musk’s purchase became public.
Even Continue reading interestingly, in the days leading up to Musk’s takeover bid, the left’s big guns came out in full force pleading for moreTwitter censorship
Hillary Clinton has been known for telling tall tales in her time. tweetedUpdated April 21st:
“For too long, tech platforms have amplified disinformation and extremism with no accountability. This is where the EU can step in to address it. I urge our transatlantic allies to push the Digital Services Act across the finish line and bolster global democracy before it’s too late.”
Not to be outdone, former President Barack Obama made a rare public speech on the same day as Clinton’s tweet, in which he described Twitter’s “disinformation problem” as an ail to democracy and a threat that “tears at the fabric of our world.”
One of America’s former presidents was so against free speech that he took an oath to defend the Constitution.
Like Clinton, Obama implored for more government oversight of social media platforms, saying, “regulation has to be part of the answer.”
Alas, it seems as if the left’s pro-censorship monopoly over social media could be in its dying days. For all Americans who are believers in the First Amendment, and want to see civil and open discourse, this is an amazing development.
On the other hand, Musk’s takeover of Twitter represents an existential threat to the left’s heretofore unfettered reign atop social media. The left has gone into panic mode and is resorting at the lowest common denominator to hurling racial insults at Elon.
Chris Talgo ([email protected]) The Heartland Institute’s senior editor.
About Post Author
