Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California said that he is “concerned” that Elon Musk’s “personal views will” halt the battle to combat “disinformation on social media.”
Musk, a wealthy business magnate who has reached a deal to purchase Twitter, has indicated that he plans to make the platform a place where people can engage in free speech, within the confines of the law.
“Here’s my take on the world’s richest man buying Twitter: He makes a great car and rocket. But I’m concerned his personal views will stop the fight against disinformation on social media. The problem on Twitter hasn’t been too much content moderation – it’s too much hate,” Schiff tweeted.
The congressman’s comment was met by responses from people who said that Schiff has promoted disinformation.
“Remember when you knowingly and maliciously pushed disinformation for YEARS, falsely claiming to have evidence of Trump colluding with Russia to steal the 2016 election?” tweeted Mollie Hemingway.
“From perhaps the biggest pusher of disinformation in Congress,” Ian Haworth tweeted.
“You mean like the disinformation you spread about Trump Russian collusion and every other lie you told?” Christopher Tremoglie tweeted.
“Adam Schiff worrying about disinformation is like Godzilla worrying about Tokyo’s skyline,” Eddie Zipperer tweeted.
“Rep. Adam Schiff, who has spent more time promoting conspiracy theories – to the considerable detriment of our country – than nearly anyone in public life over the last few years, wants you to think he’s concerned about disinformation on social media,” Drew Holden tweeted.
BlazeTV host Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” responded to Schiff’s tweet by posting a string of clown emojis.
Many people have been critical of Twitter for engaging in censorship and are hopeful that Musk will transform the platform into a haven for free speech.
“I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people,” Musk tweeted on Tuesday.
“For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally,” Musk remarked in a tweet on Wednesday.
Twitter announced on Monday that the company “has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an entity wholly owned by Elon Musk, for $54.20 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, Twitter will become a privately held company.”