When he purchased Twitter for $44 billion, Elon Musk probably thought it was a brilliant business move. But as he’s finding out, no only is his social media site losing money hand over fist, he’s also managing to alienate people who have the power to impose all sorts of pain on him and his company.
Take, for example, the case of Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), who complained about someone creating a fake account that was attempting to pass itself off as his. According to The Washington Post, the showdown between Markey and Musk began on Friday.
The spat began after a Washington Post columnist wrote Friday that he had impersonated Markey, with his permission, to show how easy it is to get a blue check mark under Twitter’s new verification system. “In a few minutes, I got a blue check mark on an impersonation of the lawmaker,” Geoffrey A. Fowler wrote.
Markey then wrote a letter to Musk criticizing the new policy.
“Safeguards such as Twitter’s blue checkmark once allowed users to be smart, critical consumers of news and information in Twitter’s global town square,” he said. “But your Twitter takeover, rapid and haphazard imposition of platform changes, removal of safeguards against disinformation, and firing of large numbers of Twitter employees have accelerated Twitter’s descent into the Wild West of social media.”
Markey said he would like a response explaining the process by Nov. 25.
Markey also posted his complaint on Twitter, writing:
“I’m asking for answers from Elon Musk, who is putting profits over people and his debt over stopping disinformation.”
A @washingtonpost reporter was able to create a verified account impersonating me—I’m asking for answers from @elonmusk who is putting profits over people and his debt over stopping disinformation. Twitter must explain how this happened and how to prevent it from happening again. pic.twitter.com/R4r7p6mduP
But rather than apologize and assure the senator he would look into the matter, Musk decided he’d fire off a terse and sarcastic reply.
“Perhaps it is because your real account sounds like a parody?”
That was a big mistake, as Markey quickly reminded Musk, because the senator just so happens to sit on a Senate committee with direct oversight of Twitter and other social media platforms.
“One of your companies is under an FTC consent decree. Auto safety watchdog NHTSA is investigating another for killing people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online. Fix your companies. Or Congress will.”
One of your companies is under an FTC consent decree. Auto safety watchdog NHTSA is investigating another for killing people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online. Fix your companies. Or Congress will. https://t.co/lE178gPRoM
Brilliant. Nothing keeps away government investigation and intervention like mocking a Senator for legitimate concerns, all while degrading the utility of this platform. You're killing it. Literally.
