Twitter in uproar over potential Trump return as Elon Musk buys app – users threaten to delete social media

TWITTER’s acceptance of Elon Musk’s bid to buy the platform has Republican politicians leaning on the billionaire to reinstate former President Trump’s account.

Donald Trump’s Twitter account was permanently banned as a consequence of his activity leading up to and during the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Trump sent about 25,000 tweets during his presidencyGetty Images – Getty

Musk has a famously lax approach toward moderation and many are expecting he’ll reinstate TrumpRyan Lash

Musk has posted several times about free speech and the ineffectiveness of permanent bans

Conservative journalist Ian Haworth shares his thoughts on a Trump reinstatement

Social media is as divided as the country itself on the prospect of Donald Trump returning to Twitter.

Progressive users and advocates are dreading the notion of the former President returning to the daily Twitter cycle, threatening to leave the platform.

Meanwhile, conservative supporters are anxious to see Trump back in action.

The House Republican Conference posted a tweet nudging Musk to “free @realDonaldTrump” and unban the former President’s account.

“I think this deal looks like it’s good for the shareholders; second, it’s good for free speech, it’s good for the First Amendment,” Representative Jim Jordan, a House Republican Conference Member, told Fox News.

The House Republican Conference has been in the news for an uncharacteristically anti-Trump phone call during which House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he would encourage then-President Trump to resign in the aftermath of January 6th.

Meanwhile, contrarian thinkers are posturing that Trump returning to Twitter could remind folks of his abrasive style and ultimately benefit the Democrats in the midterms and 2024.

Former Republican Congressman turned MSNBC reporter Joe Scarborough wrote “Democrats should cheer for Trump exposing his worst traits 24 hours a day,” in a tweet.

Reinstatement could inadvertently spell trouble for Trump as he tries to get his own social media platform, Truth Social, off the ground.

Executives have left Truth Social and the company they are planning to merge with, Digital World, is facing a 60% stock price downturn in the last six months.

One of the struggles for Truth Social, or any other new platform for that matter, is the best content is normally reposted to Twitter – Trump’s reinstatement would eliminate the primary reason for Truth Social’s establishment.

The New York Times reported that Truth Social has 1.3million downloads while Twitter has over 200million active users.

Ultimately, the former President said he would not be interested in rejoining Twitter if given the opportunity.

Trump’s Twitter account had almost 80million followers at the time of his ban.

The former President was also barred from the Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook, though the company said they would consider letting him log back on in 2023.

Users are conflicted on what a reinstated Trump would do to the social discourse