- Amid his chaotic takeover, Elon Musk polled Twitter users on whether to reinstate Trump’s account.
- As of Friday evening, nearly 60% of respondents said the former President should be allowed back.
- Musk’s poll came as the future of Twitter hangs in the balance after reports of mass resignations.
- For more stories visit Business Insider.
Elon Musk on Friday evening asked Twitter users to weigh in on a controversial thought experiment via poll: Reinstate former President Trump,” Musk tweeted, with a “yes” and “no” option.
As of 6:30 p.m. PT, nearly 3 million people had responded to the poll, with nearly 60% of respondents voting yes.
Under the original tweet, Musk wrote, “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” a Latin phrase that translates to “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Musk’s musings come as the future of Twitter hangs in the balance after the company’s offices abruptly shut down on Thursday as employees began to quit en masse.
Twitter banned Trump in January 2021 following the Capitol riot, citing “the risk of further incitement of violence.” The permanent suspension was decried by conservatives and eventually led to Trump starting his own rival network, Truth Social.
Musk in May said he would reinstate Trump’s account following his acquisition of the company, calling the decision to ban the former president “morally wrong and flat out stupid.”
But on Friday Musk said a decision about Trump’s account has not yet been made, even as accounts belonging to controversial academic Jordan Peterson, right-wing satirical site The Babylon Bee, and comedian Kathy Griffin were reinstated.
It’s unclear exactly how the reinstatements are being decided. Musk also said Friday he would not be reinstating right-wing radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
Trump has said he won’t return to Twitter even if his account is reinstated, saying he prefers his own platform, Truth Social.
“I am staying on Truth. I like it better, I like the way it works, I like Elon, but I’m staying on Truth,” Trump told Fox News last month.
The Daily Beast reported Friday that a source who had spoken told Trump said he was “serious” on sticking to Truth Social.
