Report: Musk, Iranian UN ambassador meet
The New York Times reports that Musk and Ivrani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, meet at a secret location in New York for more that an hour . According to the paper, two Iranian officials said the meeting addressed how to ease tensions been the US and Iran. One of the officials said Musk was the one who requested the meeting. The Iranian officials said the meeting was “positive” and described it as “good news.”
Lemon quits X
In a post on X, Lemon says he is leaving the platform, highlighting X’s incoming new terms of service, which state that lawsuits against the social media platform will be handled in the Northern District of Texas.
I have loved connecting with all of you on Twitter and then on X for all of these years, but it’s time for me to leave the platform. I once believed it was a place for honest debate and discussion, transparency, and free speech, but I now feel it does not serve that purpose.
Citing the change of venue:
Quote, all disputes be brought exclusively in the US District Court for the northern district of Texas or state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas, end quote…This quote ensures that such lawsuits will be heard in courthouses that are a hub for conservatives, which experts say could make it easier for X to shield itself from litigation and punish critics. I think that speaks for itself.
Lemon says he will remain on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
Here's why I'm leaving Twitter… pic.twitter.com/VIope68L2k
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) November 13, 2024
The Guardian leaves X
The Guardian says it will no longer post content on X, saying the platform is ‘toxic’ and that Musk has used its influence to shape political discourse. The newspaper has more than 80 accounts on X with approximately 27 million followers.
We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.
This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.
X users will still be able to share our articles, and the nature of live news reporting means we will still occasionally embed content from X within our article pages.
Our reporters will also be able to carry on using the site for news-gathering purposes, just as they use other social networks in which we do not officially engage.
Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work. Our journalism is available and open to all on our website and we would prefer people to come to theguardian.com and support our work there.
Dies age 63
Godley dies in the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow. In a video posted on social media, Godley’s daughter Ashley says:
I wanted to tell you face to face because it felt very much what she would have wanted. She went peacefully and I want to say a big thank you to all the staff at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice….I believe in my heart of hearts that she felt every bit of love you sent to her. I think it kept her going, genuinely we got her longer because of all the support and the love in the world.
View this post on Instagram
Musk blocks Woods after actor complains about block feature removal
Musk blocks Woods following his comments on the X CEO’s plans to remove the block feature from Twitter.
If @elonmusk removes the ability to block concerted harassment by trolls or organized political entities, how will “X” be any different from Jack Dorsey’s horrid Twitter? Musk, whom I once championed, is only doing this to protect his advertisers anyway. Users of X are mere pawns to turn the site into an electronic shopping mall. The man I thought was a defender of free speech is just another greedy capitalist. Disappointing, but not surprising.
To which Musk responds:
Then delete your account
Then delete your account
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2023
Woods then posts a screenshot showing that Musk has blocked him:
Your prerogative, sir, which is exactly my point. Have a nice day.
You prerogative, sir, which is exactly my point. Have a nice day. pic.twitter.com/qt8ZD3wbM9
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 20, 2023
‘Master of Coin’ leaves Tesla
Zachary Kirkhorn, Tesla’s chief financial officer, resigns after four years in the post. Kirkhorn earned $1.2m in salary as CFO and walks away with $168m in Tesla stock and options. (When he was promoted to CFO, Kirkhorn was granted the secondary title of “Master of Coin,” a reference to the TV series Game of Thrones.) On LinkedIn, Kirkhorn thanked Musk for his “leadership and optimism, which has inspired so many people,” but gave no reason for his departure. Tech analyst Dan Ives said Mr. Kirkhorn was “a key part of this historic Tesla turnaround the last five years” and that his departure was “a blow in the near term” for Tesla.
Musk lifts West’s X block after anti-semitic assurances
After assurances that he will not post anti-semitic or harmful content, Musk reinstates West’s account on X (formerly Twitter), almost eight months after Musk banned him from Twitter after West posted an image of a swastika blended with a star of David to Twitter.
Brodie-Sangster, Riley announce engagement
In separate social media posts, Brodie-Sangster and Riley announce their engagement. Brodie-Sangster:
Happy to announce that Talulah and I are engaged. Love is all around X
Love is All Around is the title of a song by The Troggs, which Bill Nighy’s sings as a Christmas version in Love, Actually, in which Sangster-Brodie starred.
View this post on Instagram
Riley posts to X:
Very happy to share that after two years of dating, Thomas Brodie Sangster and I are engaged!
Very happy to share that after two years of dating, Thomas Brodie Sangster and I are engaged! pic.twitter.com/NipyXtsDV0
— Talulah Riley (@TalulahRiley) July 27, 2023
Dies aged 56
O’Connor dies at the age of 56. The cause of death is not made public. Family statement:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.
Musk’s ketamine use ‘could jeopardize security clearance’
Musk’s ketamine use could prompt an investigation into his security clearance for SpaceX and Tesla. It was reported that Musk microdoses ketamine for depression, and takes full doses of ketamine at parties. He has also tweeted approvingly of ketamine use to treat depression. Two national security attorneys say drug use is typically grounds for the government to revoke someone’s security clearance. They expect to see the federal agency in charge of security clearances investigate Musk’s use of ketamine, which is a schedule III drug, meaning it can be legally prescribed under federal law. One of the attorneys says:
[S]omeone who takes a cavalier approach to drug use may take a cavalier approach to the handling of classified information.
Musk does not respond to a request for comment. There is no evidence that the government has opened a review of Musk’s clearance.
Musk meets Modi, hints at Tesla expansion
On a two-day visit to New York, Indian Prime Minister Modi meets with Musk. Musk:
[It was an] excellent and a very good conversation. I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible, Hopefully we’ll be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future….I am a fan of Modi. I like him quite a lot.
Musk, who said he hopes to visit India in 2023, said Modi is pushing Tesla to make “significant investments in India,” and that’s “something we intend to do.” He also added that he hopes to bring Starlink to remote and rural areas of India.
I am incredibly excited about the future of India
I am a fan of Modi – @elonmusk says after meeting PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/A9TLwotV9Y— 🦏 Payal M/પાયલ મેહતા/ पायल मेहता/ পাযেল মেহতা (@payalmehta100) June 20, 2023
Musk talks birth rates, AI with Italian PM Meloni
Musk flies from Texas to Rome to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Among other things, they discuss birth rates and the risks of artificial intelligence. After leaving Italy, he will speak at the Viva Tech conference in Paris and is expected to meet with Macron. Meloni tweets that she and Musk discussed:
…innovation, opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, European market regulations, and birth rates.
Ho accolto con grande piacere oggi a Palazzo Chigi @elonmusk. Un incontro molto proficuo e un momento di grande cordialità dove abbiamo affrontato alcuni temi cruciali: innovazione, opportunità e rischi dell'intelligenza artificiale, regole europee di mercato e natalità. Avanti… pic.twitter.com/MOQlirj7XC
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 15, 2023
Twitter’s head of Trust and Safety resigns
Ella Irwin, Head of Trust & Safety at Twitter, resigns after just under one year in the company. She joined Twitter in June 2022 and took over as head of the trust and safety team in November when previous head Yoel Roth resigned. She oversaw content moderation. Irwin declined further comment and Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Twitter’s press email replied with a poop emoji.
Musk: China and U.S. are like ‘conjoined twins’
In his first visit to China since January 2020, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Musk meets with Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Musk compares US-China interests to conjoined twins and says Tesla opposes “decoupling” of the world’s two biggest economies. Gang told Musk that the two countries should “avoid dangerous driving” and:
keep the steering wheel in the right direction of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation…A healthy, stable and constructive China-US relationship is not only beneficial to both countries, but also to the world.
Gang also said that China’s development is an opportunity for the world.
Musk meets Macron in France
Musk meets Emmanuel Macron, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, and other political leaders at a business conference near Paris. Musk told Macron that he had to “sleep in the car” before their meeting – hours after he was seen partying in Mexico and Los Angeles. He will also visit the sixth annual “Choose France” summit in Versailles, aimed at boosting international investment in France. Musk said he was confident Tesla would make “significant investments” in France in the future, without giving a timetable.
No announcement today but I am very impressed with President Macron and the French government and how welcoming they are.
Macron:
With @ElonMusk, we talked about the attractiveness of France and the significant progress in the electric vehicle and energy sectors. We also talked about digital regulation. We have so much to do together. See you this afternoon at the #ChooseFrance Summit!
With @ElonMusk, we talked about the attractiveness of France and the significant progress in the electric vehicle and energy sectors. We also talked about digital regulation. We have so much to do together. See you this afternoon at the #ChooseFrance Summit! pic.twitter.com/wkdwjv45OG
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 15, 2023
Musk to Yoon: South Korea could get Tesla Gigafactory
Musk meets South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol to discuss building a Tesla factory in South Korea. Yoon wants a Tesla factory there and is visiting the U.S. for six days, so Musk requested the Washington meeting. Citing its high-skilled workers and advanced industrial robots, Yoon said South Korea is a good place for a Tesla “Gigafactory” and Musk told him that the country is a top candidates for one. Yoon also said that if Tesla decides to invest there, he would actively support the company in regards to location, human resources and tax.
Musk talks ‘the future’ with Schumer
Musk meets with Schumer to discuss artificial intelligence and more.
We talked about the future. We talked about AI and the economy.
Schumer says the meeting went very well.
We talked about Buffalo (New York) – Tesla has a large plant in Buffalo. And we talked about AI.
Met with @SenSchumer and many members of Congress about artificial intelligence regulation today.
That which affects safety of the public has, over time, become regulated to ensure that companies do not cut corners.
AI has great power to do good and evil. Better the former.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 27, 2023
Musk to King: ‘I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?’
After King says that Musk should give the blue check fee he donated to King to a Ukraine charity:
I think Mr. Musk should give my blue check to charity. I recommend the Prytula Foundation, which provides lifesaving services in Ukraine. It’s only $8, so perhaps Mr. Musk could add a bit more.
Musk responds, saying he has donated $100 million to Ukraine, and asks King how much he has donated.
I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?
Musk links his tweet to an October 22, 2022, tweet from former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, thanking him for donating Starlink to Ukraine’s war effort.
Thanks @elonmusk. Before all the talks about funding, you confirmed to me that in any case you will ensure the work of Starlinks in Ukraine. This was critically important for Ukraine. We are grateful to you!
I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?
(We turned down the DoD money btw) https://t.co/wpLa6dTnP6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 23, 2023
Musk pays for Shatner, LeBron and King blue ticks
After legacy blue verification checkmarks are removed from Twitter, Musk says he is personally paying the $8 a month fee for William Shatner, LeBron James & Stephen King. King had previously said that he would not pay for the verification. After the author tweeted he has been subscribed, despite not giving his phone number, Musk replies:
You’re welcome namaste
You’re welcome namaste 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
Just Shatner, LeBron and King
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2023
Twitter’s FTC lawyer resigns
Christian Dowell, a top lawyer for Twitter who was responsible for substantially coordinating Twitter’s response to an investigation by Federal Trade Commission, submits his letter of resignation. The resignation comes in part due to the growing number of executive departures and intensifying legal woes facing the social media platform. It is unclear who will succeed Mr. Dowell in navigating Twitter through its FTC investigation and lawsuits concerning unpaid bills, services, and labor practices.