Musk, according to Biden, purchased a platform that “spreads falsehoods throughout the globe.”
The US president “continues to take efforts to decrease hate speech and disinformation” on social media sites like Twitter, according to the White House.
President Joe Biden spoke on the CHIPS and Science Act, a measure that promotes scientific research and the semiconductor industry, on Friday, November 4, 2022 in Carlsbad, California.
US President Joe Biden criticized Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, for his $44 billion purchase of a platform that “sends and spews lies all throughout the world” last week.
For $44 billion, Musk, who describes himself as a defender of free expression, bought Twitter. He swiftly started a plan to fire around half the company’s 7,500 employees after removing the board and the majority of top executives.
His plans to revamp its content moderation though have rattled advertisers, including Pfizer Inc. and General Mills Inc., who say they will temporarily pause ad spending on the platform to see how Musk intends to change Twitter.
In a speech about the significance of the Tuesday midterm elections, Biden said, “Elon Musk goes out and buys an organization that transmits and spews falsehoods all around the world.” How can we expect them to comprehend what is at risk, he said.
Biden has been “outspoken on the need of social media platforms continuing to take efforts to eliminate hate speech and misinformation,” the White House said on Friday.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “Look, the president has been outspoken about the importance of social media platforms continuing to take steps to reduce hate speech and misinformation,” Jean-Pierre told reporters about Air Force One.
“That belief extends to Twitter. It extends to Facebook and any other social media platforms where users can spread misinformation.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has urged all advertisers to sever ties with Twitter and delivered a scathing assessment of Musk’s performance thus far as CEO.