Is the quest for free speech in the world’s largest public square now coming closer to reality? It just might be thanks to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who finally managed to buy Twitter and fulfill his promise of firing its top executives just last month.
Musk’s move to acquire the social media giant was celebrated by many free speech advocates, including the famous conservative Twitter account Libs of TikTok, who posted “I feel like a kid in a candy store,” following the purchase.
I feel like a kid in a candy store https://t.co/RHBbaZ466c
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 28, 2022
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) had similar thoughts. The Georgia representative posted “FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!!” as well as “We are winning” Friday morning.
Alas, the plot thickens. Many of these celebrations screeched to a sudden halt after Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem had his ability to post on Twitter revoked Monday.
Finchem, who is currently a Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state, broke the unfortunate news of continued corporate censorship via a Truth Social post on Monday afternoon.
“Twitter has blocked my account from speaking truth with one week left until the election. They are trying to put their thumb on the scales of this election. Tag Elon Musk and tell him to unban me right now. I am the Secretary of State nominee in a swing state running against the criminal Soros-funded candidate,” said Finchem.
The Republican candidate also shared another screenshot indicating that he would not be able to post for almost 11 hours.
Former Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis went on Twitter to slam the social media company for their censorship of Finchem, posting, “@elonmusk this shouldn’t happen a week before the election!”
“Looking into it,” Musk quickly replied.
Looking into it
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2022
Finchem was fully restored to the platform less than an hour later.
“We are back! Thank you @elonmusk for stopping the commie who suspended me from Twitter a week before the election. Twitter is much better with you at the helm,” posted Finchem.
We are back! Thank you @elonmusk for stopping the commie who suspended me from Twitter a week before the election. Twitter is much better with you at the helm. Thank you @MediaRightNews1 @JennaEllisEsq @KariLake @Brick_Suit & others for spreading the word! #AZSOS https://t.co/TfdJNnnuIm
— Mark Finchem #JustFollowTheLaw VoteFinchem.com (@RealMarkFinchem) October 31, 2022
“I LOVE THE NEW @elonmusk OWNERSHIP,” Jenna Ellis wrote online in celebration.
Musk has stressed in the past that he believes there is a need for a major platform online that promises free speech for its users. He previously said that he would undo the “permaban” of Donald Trump, and said that Twitter’s move to kick him off the platform for life was a “morally bad decision.”
“I think it’s very important for there to be an inclusive arena for free speech,” Musk explained at a TED Talk back in April. “Twitter has become kind of the de facto town square, so it’s just really important that people have … both the reality and the perception that they are able to speak freely within the bounds of the law.”
