Friend, To summarize the past week in Twitter news, millions of Brazilians can’t use Twitter anymore — or else face penalties and fines — because Elon Musk didn’t want to ban a handful of accounts responsible for spreading disinformation and hatred. Rather than confronting that serious moral and financial shortfall, the head of Twitter doubled down by encouraging his massive following to watch Tucker Carlson sit down with a Nazi apologist. You can’t make this stuff up … and you don’t have to, because he keeps doing it. If you’re as fed up with this as we are, please rush a donation to our Democracy Watch Fund to ensure we’re able to continue fighting against online deceit and bigotry. We’ll be back in touch next time Elon Musk does something indefensible (any minute now). Thanks again, All of us at Free Press Action
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Friend, It sure seems like most people manage to go through life without inviting international controversy over their flirtations with disinformation and hate speech. Well, we’re giving credit where it’s due: Elon Musk isn’t most people. In the past few days, the head of Twitter ignited feuds with the government of Brazil and Mark Cuban while cozying up to Tucker Carlson and (at least) one notable Holocaust denier.1 And just for good measure, Musk also shared more AI-generated content mocking Vice President Kamala Harris without noting it as any sort of parody.2 Just like last time, he’s violating his own policies with impunity. Businessmen like him are always bragging about a go-getter mentality and a willingness to hustle for side projects, but you’d think those would be more like … investing or golf or something. Imagine how much healthier the state of social media could be if Musk supported his own trust & safety staff as much as he supports plans to replace our democracy with a system for “only high [testosterone] alpha males.”3 And that’s why we need your help: Pooling our resources together is the best way to stay strong enough to fight back against these powerful forces that seek to tear up the fabric of society. Friend, there’s never been a better time to start your first gift to Free Press Action. Will you help us hold all social-media platforms accountable for the spread of disinformation and hate with an urgent gift to the Democracy Watch Fund today? GIVE NOW Thanks so much, Dutch and the rest of us at Free Press Action P.S. Free Press Action is committed to making social-media platforms safe for all — and Musk’s repeated bad behavior reaffirms the necessity of our work. Can we count on you to make a commitment of your own by donating to our Democracy Watch Fund today?
1. “Tucker Carlson Accused of Airing ‘Pro-Nazi Propaganda’ on Show – as Elon Musk Promotes it as ‘Worth Watching’,” The Independent, Sep. 4, 2024 2. “Elon Musk’s Attacks on Kamala Harris Become More Unhinged, With Help From AI,” CNN, Sep. 3, 2024 3. “Elon Musk Suggests Support for Replacing Democracy with Government of ‘High-Status Males’,” The Independent, Sep. 4, 2024 |