Twitter users overwhelmingly voted for Elon Musk Resignation
Millions of Twitter users voted in a poll Elon Musk sponsored and vowed to honour. By Monday afternoon, it remained unclear if Musk would resign or who would replace him.
Under Musk’s leadership, Twitter has become chaotic and confusing with frequently changing policies.
Tesla investors who voted “go” are likely tired of Musk’s 24/7 Twitter mayhem, which they think distracts him from his major source of riches.
If Musk’s term ends, it would be a significant boost for Tesla shares and an indication he’s “finally reading the room that has been growing frustration around this Twitter nightmare,” Ives said.
Musk started the voting at the World Cup final in Qatar. Musk has been surprisingly quiet on Twitter since the poll concluded early Monday as he flew back to the U.S.
Musk has taken a number of unscientific surveys on topics affecting the social media platform, including whether to reinstate journalists he has suspended.
Polls have added to Twitter’s turbulence since Musk bought the business for $44 billion, leaving its destiny in the hands of its users.
Users recently reinstated by Musk include those banned for racist, toxic, or ignorant posts.
Musk’s changes to Twitter have frightened advertisers and turned off consumers since he bought the company. He fired half the staff, eliminated contract content moderators, and disbanded a trust and safety committee. He’s dropped COVID-19 disinformation guidelines and urged for criminal prosecution against Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Musk clashed with users on numerous fronts, and on Sunday he asked Twitter users if he should remain in charge. He acknowledged he made a mistake by banning mentions of competitor social networking services.
57.5 percent of 17.5 million respondents wanted him to depart, while 42.5 percent wanted him to stay.
The poll followed Musk’s latest policy adjustment since October. Twitter declared that users cannot link to Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, and other “restricted” networks.
Musk has campaigned for free expression on Twitter, but took down the jet-tracking account. He used that to justify suspending the accounts of several journalists that cover Twitter and Musk, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Voice of America, and others. Musk’s online poll restored several accounts.
Taylor Lorenz was suspended after demanding an interview with Musk on Twitter.