Musk to sue ADL for £22 billion for ‘trying to kill’ X with false anti-semitism claims
In a series of tweets, Musk says he will sue the Anti-Defamation League for $22 billion, which he says is 60% in lost revenue, as a result of the organisation putting pressure on advertisers to stop using the platform with claims that Musk and X is anti-semitic.
To be super clear, I’m pro free speech, but against anti-Semitism of any kind. Since the acquisition, The @ADL has been trying to kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being anti-Semitic. Our US advertising revenue is still down 60%, primarily due to pressure on advertisers by @ADL (that’s what advertisers tell us), so they almost succeeded in killing X/Twitter! If this continues, we will have no choice but to file a defamation suit against, ironically, the “Anti-Defamation” League. If they lose the defamation suit, we will insist that they drop the the “anti” part of their name, since obviously …
Musk later explains:
Advertisers avoid controversy, so all that is needed for ADL to crush our US & European ad revenue is to make unfounded accusations. They have much less power in Asia, so our ad revenue there is still strong. This “controversy” causes advertisers to “pause”, but that pause is permanent until ADL gives the green light, which they will not do without us agreeing to secretly suspend or shadowban any account they don’t like. That is the relationship they’ve had with X/Twitter for many years. Presumably, they have that with all western search or social media orgs.
Our US advertising revenue is still down 60%, primarily due to pressure on advertisers by @ADL (that’s what advertisers tell us), so they almost succeeded in killing X/Twitter!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2023
When told about a $10.5 million defamation fine awarded against ADL, Musk says that the organisation would be potentially liable for half of X’s revenue:
Interesting. In our case, they would potentially be on the hook for destroying half the value of the company, so roughly $22 billion.
Interesting.
In our case, they would potentially be on the hook for destroying half the value of the company, so roughly $22 billion.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2023
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.
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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
Tesla accused of inflating in-dash range projections
Tesla faces accusations of hyping the range of its EVs, raising consumer expectations beyond what the cars can actually deliver – a practice that apparently started about ten years ago for marketing purposes. Three experts say Tesla EVs often fail to achieve their advertised range estimates and their own equipment’s projections. The company allegedly rigged its range-estimating software by writing algorithms for the range meter that would display optimistic projections for the distance the vehicle could cover on a single charge. When the battery fell below 50%, the algorithm would show drivers more realistic projections for their remaining driving range. The vehicles were designed with a “safety buffer” to prevent drivers from getting stranded as their predicted range started declining more quickly, allowing about 15 miles of additional range after the dash readout showed an empty battery. The directive to give customers optimistic range estimates apparently came from Musk himself, who “wanted to show good range numbers when fully charged.”
Tesla accused of stifling range complaints
Tesla faces accusations of creating a “Diversion Team” in Las Vegas to suppress thousands of driving range complaints from its customers. With its service centers flooded with appointments, Tesla instructed some of its employees to stop customers complaining about poor driving range from bringing in their EVs for service. Many of the customers had expected better range based on the company’s advertised estimates and the projections displayed by the cars’ in-dash range meters. Apparently, thousands of customers were told nothing was wrong with their car, even with no diagnostics. Tesla managers told “Diversion Team” employees that they were saving the company about $1,000 for every canceled appointment. Inside the Nevada team’s office, some employees celebrated canceling service appointments by putting their phones on mute and striking a metal xylophone, triggering applause from coworkers who sometimes stood on desks. The team often closed hundreds of cases a week and staffers were tracked on their average number of diverted appointments per day.
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.
Cuban: Twitter algorithms designed to help Musk
Cuban accuses Musk of rigging Twitter algorithms to promote his own tweets. He says that because Twitter’s “For You” timeline, which is the first thing users see on the app, ranks tweets by the amount of interaction by a user’s followers, that it make’s Musk’s posts more influential, as he has the most followers, and the most interactions on the app. Cuban still has 8.8 million followers, but worries the algorithm change will affect how he promotes his online pharmacy, Cost Plus Drugs.
I figured I was/am on some Twitter s— list that doesn’t show me to new or existing users as a possible follow. I thought maybe, by paying the annual contract, that would change. It didn’t…It stands to reason that the person with the greatest number of followers will have the greatest influence on the most number of For You timelines. And For You candidates include, as stated above , tweets that people you follow engage with. So who @elonmusk engages with on Twitter has an ENORMOUS impact on what an indeterminable number of people see in their For You Timelines
Oops, I left out possibly the most obvious and important influence to For You timelines.
“What tweets did the people I follow recently engage with “
It stands to reason that the person with the greatest number of followers will have the greatest influence on the most number…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 19, 2023
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
Bannon: Musk is a ‘stone cold liar’ with ‘paymasters in Beijing’
Bannon accuses Musk of lying about his support for journalistic freedom after Musk said he believes in elevating “citizen journalism”, during a keynote discussion at the MMA Possible Conference in Miami.
I think it’s very important to elevate citizen journalism. It’s very important to hear the voice of the people. The actual voice of the people, not the filtered voice of people, and let the people choose the narrative, and let the people determine the truth and not five editors-in-chief of major publications.
Bannon:
Elon Musk is a stone cold liar, His paymasters in Beijing have given him strict orders to suppress the leading ‘SuperHawk’ Anti-CCP Voices…Elon Musk is a running dog for The [Chinese Communist Party] totally and completely compromised by their financial ownership of Tesla Shanghai…
It is not clear which individuals Bannon believes Musk suppressed, nor is the specific incident he referred to.
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