Elon Musk says Twitter cannot turn into 'a free-for-all hellscape'

Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk posted a statement to Twitter advertisers explaining his motivation for purchasing the company and his plans for the social media platform.

"The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence. There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society," Musk said in the statement. "In the relentless pursuit of clicks, much of traditional media has fueled and catered to those polarized extremes, as they believe that is what brings in the money, but, in doing so, the opportunity for dialogue is lost."

Musk, who has previously expressed support for allowing free speech within the confines of the law, said that the social media platform cannot turn into "a free-for-all hellscape."

"That is why I bought Twitter. I didn't do it because it would be easy. I didn't do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love. And I do so with humility, recognizing that failure in pursuing this goal, despite our best efforts, is a very real possibility," he continued. "That said, Twitter obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences! In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all, where you can choose your desired experience according to your preferences, just as you can choose, for example, to see movies or play video games ranging from all ages to mature."

"Fundamentally, Twitter aspires to be the most respected advertising platform in the world that strengthens your brand and grows your enterprise," Musk noted.

The tweet received scads of responses on the social media platform.

Nina Jankowicz, who was previously tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security's "Disinformation Governance Board," tweeted that she hoped "Twitter's important work on content moderation and online abuse won't be scrapped (and ideally improved upon because the platform isn't currently warm and welcoming) but I'm not optimistic." Ultimately, DHS paused the plans for the Disinformation Governance Board, Jankowicz resigned, and DHS scrapped the program.

"What's the point of being the richest man in the world if you can’t own free speech?" tweeted Condé Nast legal affairs editor Luke Zaleski, who has previously used that exact same line in the past.

"Dude plans on letting the neo-Nazis and the MAGA seditionists back in. And he has the nerve to talk about creating some kind of middle ground for discussion," John Aravosis tweeted in response to Musk's post. "Dear Twitter Advertisers: I've been on Twitter for 14 years. Until recently, it was a cesspool of neo-Nazis who routinely terrorized Jews, Blacks, gays, women, Muslims and more — with impunity. 'Free Speech' Elon is bringing that all back. Advertise here, and we'll destroy you," he wrote in another tweet.

"Elon Musk acquires Twitter, and immediately bends the knee to who truly matters: its big corporate advertisers," John Schwarz tweeted.