Whelp, it’s finally happened.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, not to mention the richest man in the world with a net worth of $264.6 billion, is now the owner of Twitter.
He bought the social media platform for a staggering $44 billion, initiating a hostile takeover with a tender offer that even Twitter couldn’t turn down.
The effort recently came to attention when Musk became one of Twitter’s largest shareholders less than a month ago, and the was offered (but turned down) a seat on its board, and proceeded to make a bid on the company.
According to CNN, Twitter independent board chair Bret Taylor said in a statement:
“The Twitter board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon’s proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty, and financing.”
Musk said on Twitter last night:
“I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”
I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022
He gave his reasoning behind making the bid in a offer letter to Twitter:
“I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy.
However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter need to be transformed as a private company.”
Needless to say, the move drew a plethora of comments from the Twitterverse:
LIVE look at the Twitter HQ parking lot.@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/3naogxuCiA
— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) April 14, 2022
"You can find me on Instagram if Elon Musk buys Twitter" is the new "I'm moving to Canada if Donald Trump becomes President."
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 25, 2022
Elon Musk gonna be the most amazing and active owner we’ve ever had. pic.twitter.com/p8mhEFQOZM
— Prince Nuel (@Prince_nuel_ke) April 25, 2022
Twitter employees are shredding documents like its Enron.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) April 25, 2022
Now the HQ of twitter should be move to Pretoria
Elon musk 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/urL4KCKBns— CAPTIAN_442📢 (@captain_442) April 25, 2022
Elon Musk spent $44 billion buying this garbage app instead of building an Iron Man suit and becoming a real life superhero. Billionaires are dumb af.
— Froste 💯 (@Froste) April 25, 2022
ELON MUSK BOUGHT A HAIRLINE *AND* TWITTER THATS WILD
— THE KID MERO 🇩🇴 (@THEKIDMERO) April 25, 2022
So, 200 million of us just send our complaints/issues to Elon Musk every day now? Such a relief to have one person to deal with for all that.
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 25, 2022
“Elon Musk should not be the custodian of free speech because he may allow speech I don’t personally like”
God, this is brilliant. pic.twitter.com/vqCQusfBcN
— Will 🇺🇦 Слава Україні (@WMcHBg) April 25, 2022
Suspended accounts coming back after Twitter takeover by Elon Musk😂🏃♂️ pic.twitter.com/QWpYnnPy8F
— SEGUN🌴 (@AdeyeyeJohn4) April 25, 2022
Freethinkers flocking to Twitter now that Elon Musk owns it pic.twitter.com/ThsH9asg0F
— Sir remmy (@IamSirRemmy) April 25, 2022
Elon Musk when he heard Jay Z say “I blew bird money” pic.twitter.com/ZyFfCswcWB
— TheShadeRoom (@ShaderoomAfrica) April 25, 2022
Elon Musk has officially purchased Twitter pic.twitter.com/pMxyLf99OJ
— Javed Ahmad (@JavedAh25112042) April 25, 2022
Twitter … say hello to Daddy @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/gzuwsd8ygp
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 25, 2022
If you think Elon Musk buying Twitter is scary wait til you hear about Bill Gates buying up all of our farmland.
— Robert (Durden) (@realrobdurden) April 25, 2022
PM Justin Trudeau just told Elon Musk has bought Twitter so he won't be able to push his social media censorship ! He calls Pres Xi and asks if he can be in Weibo pic.twitter.com/oIXz0YUb4a
— Susanna Michelini (@waterloosuze) April 25, 2022
IRON MAN 2 star @elonmusk is set to purchase Twitter for $44 billion pic.twitter.com/LO1Y3CZN5x
— Marvel & dc content (@maveldcnerd) April 25, 2022
Mark Zuckerberg seeing Elon Musk has bought Twitter pic.twitter.com/4mJMTT55IQ
— Athiff (@athifbusy) April 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/MK5678456/status/1518680692154109955