The Pretoria-born business magnate and investor began his acquisition of Twitter on April 14, 2022, and concluded the deal, not without some controversy, on October 27, 2022.
He has also confirmed that Donald Trump will be invited back into the fold.
Musk’s plans for Twitter have elicited strong reactions from celebrities on the social media platform. One of them is iconic horror writer Stephen King who upon learning of the plan to charge users tweeted to his 6.9 million followers: “$20 a month to keep my blue check? F*** that, they should pay me. If that gets instituted, I'm gone like Enron."
To which Musk retorted: "We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?"
$20 a month to keep my blue check? Fuck that, they should pay me. If that gets instituted, I’m gone like Enron.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 31, 2022
Musk has since confirmed that the company will charge $8 a month as part of a Twitter Blue membership.
Grammy-winning R&B artist Toni Braxton also had strong feelings about Musk’s plans, she told her two million followers, “ I'm shocked and appalled at some of the "free speech" I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of "free speech" is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC".
I'm shocked and appalled at some of the "free speech" I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of "free speech" is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC.
— Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton) October 29, 2022
Also on the list is Shonda Rhimes, the creator of the global hit series Grey's Anatomy, who said, "Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned."
Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 29, 2022
