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Let's discuss: Elon Musk and Twitter
Whether you think he’s a messiah or a megalomaniac, the FT’s coverage of Elon Musk is popular in classrooms. Professors use his divisive persona as a catalyst for lively debate with students.
Use the paywall-free resources in each section below to piece together the unfolding—and bizarre—story of the world's richest man purchasing the modern town square. These resources are united by the following themes:
- (Inter)national regulatory missteps revealed through Musk's endeavor
- The role the US government played in this deal—or should have played
- The consequences of another media outlet being bought up by a billionaire business executive
Playing by his own rules
A surprise, belated Schedule 13G on April 4 revealed that the world's richest man also had the highest stake in Twitter shares: a striking 9.2%. In hindsight, Musk's tweets became a trail of breadcrumbs illuminating his thoughts over many months.
A bitter pill to swallow
After Musk rejected an invitation to join its board, Twitter unveiled a shareholder rights plan to thwart his hostile takeover, known as a poison pill. It ultimately failed as Musk raised billions in (mostly personal) equity and loans to finance the deal. As the price tag crystallised, the initial strategy fell apart...
A $44bn bet
In a possible maneuver to lower the price tag, Musk announced he'd require an audit of bot accounts, which he believes artificially inflate Twitter's cost. After tech stocks—including Tesla's—plummetted, it seemed that there would be no easy way out for Musk, who shared what his vision for Twitter as a bastion of unmitigated free speech would be.
An uncertain future
In a sign he was reconsidering, Musk threatened to abandon his Twitter takeover blaming bot accounts. It's unclear whether the banks that loaned him $13bn are genuinely worried, although Musk muses a legal $1bn termination plan. As the saga continues, warnings from the EU over regulatory rules threaten Musk's plans for Twitter. With more twists to come, the FT's coverage will guide you through the story's future developments.
Too late to turn back
As many predicted, Musk's preoccupation with bot accounts has resulted in an official attempt to terminate the deal. With a plethora of cavalier tweets in Twitter's arsenal, Musk's prolific use of the platform will be turned against him, as Twitter builds a strong case to force him through the sale. With more twists to come, the FT's coverage will guide you through the story's future developments.
Additional reading, paywall-free
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