Morning Joe On Musk Twitter Takeover: ‘We All Believe In Free Speech, BUT…’

Free-speech is fine, but only if it offends women. It was Morning JoeThis is the general view today about Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. 

The show ran an interview with Brianna Wu (video-game designer and harsh Musk critic) during its segment about the situation.

To hear the audio, you must view it. just how loaded was the reporter’s tone in putting her question to Wu.

“Do you Trust Twitter to be created by Elon Musk Be better For Women?”

Wu didn’t, obviously.

One could ask if the reporter was from a fringe left-wing organization given the way her question was phrased. You can guess who she is: Jo Ling Kent. NBC News!

There was then an exchange between Mika Brzezinski, and New York Times Washington bureau chief, Elisabeth Bumiller. This was the classic line that Elisabeth Bumiller used.“We all believe that free speech is important, but …”  Bumiller went on to fret about the “guardrails” coming down, and claimed Twitter has become “a platform for a lot of misogyny.”

Brzezinski jumped in to read a list of horrendous things ahead of Musk Twitter. “hate speech, defamation, misogyny!”

Jonathan Lemire and Bumiller both predicted that Donald Trump would eventually return to Twitter, even though he claimed he wouldn’t despite Musk’s takingover. Lemire added that this could be an October surprise, just in time for midterms.

Brianna Wu unsuccessfully ran twice for Congress in Massachusetts. Interviewed by a writer for a LGBTQIA+ website, she basically apologized for being married to a man [emphasis added]!

“It’s true that I’m married to a guy, but I grew up queer in Mississippi—which is growing up queer on hard mode. I’ve had a lot more girlfriends than boyfriends—so, statistically, “It was quite surprising that I got married to a guy.”

Morning Joe turning thumbs down on Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter was sponsored in part by Pfizer, maker of Nexium. 

The transcript is here.

Morning Joe
4/26/22
6:25 am ET

JOLING KENT: Some critics worry Musk’s desire for freedom of speech could be impeded by growing safety issues on Twitter, especially among women and minority groups. Do you Trust Twitter to be created by Elon Musk Be better For Women?

BRIANNA WIWU: I do not trust Elon Musk to improve Twitter for women. Absolutely not. You might be wondering if they are going to stand up for underrepresented people. Unfortunately, that is not my opinion.

. . . 

JONATHAN LEMIRE : It’s also fascinating to see the politics involved. Musk is now embraced somewhat by those on the left. Some Trump supporters, who had left Twitter several times before yesterday’s events, made it a point to rejoin the network. 

He said that the former president was not interested. This is something that I am going to verify. He’s interested. His circle of friends have confirmed that they believe that Trump will eventually return to Twitter. Many feel it, particularly because the sale will take time — Musk may take over in the late summer, or even the fall, depending on whether Trump is back, and before the midterms. That would certainly be an interesting development. It could be a surprise in October, and it might help the Democrats or hurt them. 

WILLIE GEIST – Mika is grateful for the quiet of former President Trump. However, he will most likely return to Twitter and share his thoughts.

MIKA BRZEZINSKI – Yes. As the two of you talked about midterms Elisabeth nodded and said, “Here we go!” What are your thoughts?

ELISABETH MILLER: Yes, I do believe so. In fact, we will check his assertion that he isn’t interested in going back to Twitter. It will prove very difficult for him to refuse. His candidates will vote against him in the midterm elections. He’ll weigh in and we will go back to 2018 and 2019. He will also weigh in on the midterms, all of his candidates against the Democrats and I think we’ll be back where we were in 2018 and 2019. There is a lot of concern among Democrats, I believe. You can see that Musk is supported by many conservatives.

Yes, All of us believe in freedom speech.Twitter’s guardrails: First of all, Twitter doesn’t have that many.

MIKA: Exactly!

BUMILLER It’s also becoming, as you can see in the clip.It’s been a place for misogyny and a lot moreTwitter has a lot to do with women being treated poorly.

MIKA: Hate speech, defamation, misogyny.

BUMILLER – I do not see this changing.