by The Associated Press (AP) was accused of misrepresenting the very concept of free speech after the news organization attacked Tesla CEO Elon Musk for the “contradiction” of claiming to defend free speech despite having used the Twitter platform to criticize others.
in a test Published Wednesday titled “Elon Musk, Erratic Visionary, Delights in Contradiction,” AP speaks of Musk’s “maniacal ambition” while claiming the billionaire “thrives on contradiction.”
In a tweet introducing the article, the AP wrote that Musk’s support for free speech contrasts with his criticism of others.
“Elon Musk boasts that he is acquiring Twitter to defend free speech. But he has long used the platform to attack those who disagree with him,” the New York-based news agency wrote.
Elon Musk boasts that he is acquiring Twitter to defend free speech. But he has long used the platform to attack those who disagree with him.https://t.co/qhgm1zQOkz
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 11, 2022
The essay accuses the 50-year-old SpaceX founder of “disdain for public officials who defy him,” while highlighting his previous run-ins “with health officials who limited staffing at the California factory to prevent the spread of coronavirus.” COVID, calling stay-at-home orders ‘fascist’”.
Musk is also described as someone who “seems to enjoy poking fun at regulators.”
In response, many took to Twitter to highlight the AP’s misconception about free speech.
“So what you’re saying is the son of a bitch is speaking freely?” Rhode Island Republican Rep. Mike Chippendale wrote.
So what you’re saying is the son of a bitch is speaking freely? https://t.co/FI7ixfONR3
— Representative Mike Chippendale (@MikeWChip) May 12, 2022
“I understand that the mainstream media really hates Elon Musk (and ‘unfettered free speech’), but they have been making fun of this campaign against him,” wrote Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
I get that the mainstream media really hates Elon Musk (and “unfettered free speech”), but they’ve been making fun of this campaign against him. https://t.co/BiEr384DGP
— Brian Riedl 🇺 (@Brian_Riedl) May 11, 2022
“Okay, I give up. How does it conflict with attacking people who don’t agree with defending free speech?” asked podcaster Gerry Callahan. “My God, the smear campaign against Musk hasn’t had a great start”.
Okay I give up. How does it conflict to attack people who disagree with defending freedom of expression? My goodness, the smear campaign against Musk is not off to a great start. https://t.co/xBsLpNi3O6
—Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) May 11, 2022
“Many people seem to be unfamiliar with the concept of ‘free speech,’” wrote journalist Jonathan Chait.
Many people seem to be unfamiliar with the concept of “free speech” https://t.co/bwd1UrIoNx
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) May 11, 2022
“A reminder that Idiocracy was not fiction but a documentary,” journalist Nick Gillespie wrote.
A reminder that Idiocracy was not fiction but a documentary. https://t.co/QARMLZrWwl
—Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) May 11, 2022
“So @ElonMusk is participating in…free speech?” conservative commentator Steven Crowder asked.
So @Elon Musk is participating in… freedom of expression? https://t.co/voiBubi99t
—Steven Crowder (@scrowder) May 12, 2022
“I honestly don’t understand how that’s a contradiction,” wrote award-winning journalist Adam Creighton. “Is Western society going backwards intellectually?”
I honestly don’t understand how that’s a contradiction 😩
Is Western society going backwards intellectually? 😥 https://t.co/ilXp5MiZfR—Adam Creighton (@Adam_Creighton) May 11, 2022
“I see yesterday was the Let Your Toddler Run Social Day on AP,” journalist Tom Elliott wrote.
I see yesterday was the Let Your Toddler Run social day on AP https://t.co/QUd1fCaO5K
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) May 12, 2022
“Everyone knows that free speech means you can’t respond to criticism,” Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon joked.
Everyone knows that free speech means you can’t respond to criticism.
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) May 11, 2022
“@AP leftists seem to think @ElonMusk using free speech is contrary to free speech,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton wrote.
leftists in @AP seems to think that @Elon Musk using freedom of speech is contrary to freedom of speech. https://t.co/zT2295f5e2
—Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) May 11, 2022
“Corporate Media: Only we should have free speech,” Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) wrote.
Corporate Media: Only we should have freedom of expression. https://t.co/b1UBS4AtQo
— Dan Bishop (@jdanbishop) May 12, 2022
“American Pravda: ELON MUSK SAYS HE IS FOR FREE SPEECH. BUT HE USES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. WE ARE VERY SMART, RESPECT US,” Ron DeSantis (R) Press Secretary Christina Pushaw wrote.
American Pravda: ELON MUSK SAYS HE IS FOR FREE SPEECH. BUT HE USES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. WE ARE VERY INTELLIGENT, RESPECT US. https://t.co/uj2lZOW9wB
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) May 11, 2022
“It is a sad indictment of the absolute state of our media that the Associated Press doesn’t even understand what ‘free speech’ means,” wrote conservative-libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo.
It is a sad indictment of the absolute state of our media that the Associated Press doesn’t even understand what “free speech” means. https://t.co/fjLeOI2zn0
— Brad Polumbo 🇺🇸⚽️ 🏳️🌈 (@brad_polumbo) May 11, 2022
“Bizarre AP comment here… sort of ‘Musk claims to believe in free speech, but contradicts himself by criticizing his antagonists.’ That makes no sense,” wrote a Twitter user.
Since the reports about Musk’s desire to buy the social media giant, many left-wing personalities on the platform have come into blend mode at the prospect of the self-described free speech absolutist taking over, with many declaring their intention to leave the site in the event of such a sale.
On Friday, Musk reportedly stuck its $44 billion deal to acquire Twitter on hold pending an investigation into bot accounts on the platform.
Follow Joshua Klein on Twitter @JoshuaKlein.
