A tweet from earlier this year from Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey regarding Elon Musk has resurfaced amid the billionaire’s chaotic takeover of the social media platform.
Musk officially took control of Twitter last month after a contentious acquisition process that eventually saw him purchase the company for $44 billion. Since then, the Tesla CEO has made numerous widely criticized decisions such as ousting several top executives, announcing mass layoffs, announcing plans to charge for verification status, and amplifying right-wing conspiracy theories.
On Saturday, Dorsey posted a tweet apologizing to Twitter employees for the chaos, saying he understands those that might be angry with him over the sale to Musk.
“Folks at Twitter past and present are strong and resilient,” Dorsey tweeted. “They will always find a way no matter how difficult the moment. I realize many are angry with me. I own the responsibility for why everyone is in this situation: I grew the company size too quickly. I apologize for that.”
Folks at Twitter past and present are strong and resilient. They will always find a way no matter how difficult the moment. I realize many are angry with me. I own the responsibility for why everyone is in this situation: I grew the company size too quickly. I apologize for that.
— jack (@jack) November 5, 2022
However, in response, numerous Twitter users, including politician Chris D. Jackson, shared statements Dorsey made in April in which he said Musk was “the singular solution I trust.”
“It’s not about your business practices. It’s that you said, Elon is the singular solution I trust,” Jackson wrote in a thread responding to Dorsey. “Are billionaires really that mesmerized by each other? This reminds me of folks who voted for Trump in 2016 pretending they didn’t know exactly who he was. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. You don’t have to be a rich man to understand that.”
It’s not about your business practices. It’s that you said, Elon is the singular solution I trust.”
Are billionaires really that mesmerized by each other? pic.twitter.com/tgdwmDrHsu
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) November 5, 2022
In April, Dorsey tweeted: “In principle, I don’t believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness.”
Musk first proposed purchasing the social media company earlier this year, expressing concerns about the company’s moderation policies and commitment to free speech. The Tesla CEO initially attempted to buy a controlling stake in the company, but the company board maneuvered to prevent it. Musk then offered to purchase the company outright for $44 billion, well in excess of what most analysts thought the company was worth.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Musk seemingly attempted to exit the deal, citing the number of bots on Twitter, but a lawsuit from company stakeholders ultimately forced the deal to go forward.
The billionaire recently posted a message on Twitter that seemed to be an attempt to alleviate concerns about his seizing control of the company, saying he didn’t want the platform to turn into a “free-for-all hellscape.”
“The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence,” Musk wrote. “There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society.”
Newsweek reached out to Dorsey for comment.
