Elon Musk Makes Stance On Protecting Free Speech At The Expense Of Losing Money Clear
Elon Musk doesn't mind losing money if it means free speech can be protected.
Musk bought X (formerly Twitter) to end the censorship regime, but it hasn't been smooth sailing. Some reports have claimed the company has lost significant value, and it's also faced advertiser boycotts.
Yet, the visionary billionaire has no interest in backing down in order to make more money. In fact, he doesn't care if he loses money in his fight to protect free speech.
Elon Musk (Credit: Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Elon Musk continues to fight for free speech.
In our current climate, it's not unusual for people to stay silent in order to keep their jobs and livelihoods. The good news for Musk is he's worth roughly $215 billion. With that kind of money, he's pretty much untouchable and he plans to use that protection in his pro-free speech fight.
"There were some advertisers who were insisting on censorship, and at the end of the day … if I have to make the choice censorship and money or free speech and losing money we’re going to pick the second," Musk told WPP CEO Mark Read during a Cannes Lions interview, according to Page Six.
The tech billionaire further added, "We’re going to support free speech broadly, then agree to be censored for money, which is, I think, the right moral decision."
Elon Musk isn't afraid to lose money if it means he can protect free speech. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)
This is a stance more people should take and support. Again, Elon Musk is *VERY* rich, and depending on the day, is the richest person in the world.
No matter what happens with X, he's going to be just fine thanks to his other ventures with Tesla and SpaceX. The average person doesn't have that kind of financial security, and it causes people to fear backlash over sharing their opinions.
The Tesla founder bought X to create a space for free expression and exchange of ideas without censorship, and debates and dialogue on the app have noticeably improved. If that means he loses some money and advertisers along the way, it sounds like he's more than willing to accept that outcome.
It's a very similar pro-free speech vibe we see from Dana White. It's great to see.
Props to Musk for holding the line. Hopefully, it encourages more people to do the same. Free speech must be defended at all costs, and I won't apologize for saying it. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.