Gone are the days where tweets are merely a realm of deep thoughts, memes, and shoutouts. Now, they are also a realm of unparalleled corporate power—or at least they are in the case of Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Company. On July 15, 2020, Elon Musk became the first person to reach over 50 million followers on Twitter. This number is a testament to Musk’s influence, and it speaks volumes about how powerful he and his tweets truly are.
However, with great power comes great responsibility and Musk’s Twitter usage has started to raise many questions. From regulatory issues to the corporate power he wields through his tweets, many are left wondering if Musk is using his Twitter superpower for good or for bad.
Elon Musk and His Corporate Power
Elon Musk’s success is an amazing achievement. Since founding Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Company, Musk has become the world’s most successful entrepreneur. It’s no surprise that his presence on Twitter has been vast and profound.
Musk has used his presence to drive public opinion through his tweets. Whether it’s providing vague updates on his companies’ progress or sharing his thoughts on the state of affairs, Musk’s tweets have been able to move markets, spark debate, and even start rumors.
This corporate power is not just limited to companies under his control, either. Many of his tweets in the past have caused Tesla’s stock price to surge or dip. His tweets about companies unrelated to his have also had unexpected effects on their stock prices.
Questions About the Responsibilities of His Twitter Superpower
The power of Musk’s Twitter activity has many people wondering about the responsibilities that accompany this level of influence. With his tweets having such a far-reaching impact, it’s inevitable that there are going to be some issues.
For example, in 2018, Musk tweeted about taking Tesla private, and although the tweet did not necessarily mean that Tesla was going private, the stock price did move significantly. This sparked questions about whether or not Musk had taken advantage of his Twitter superpower in order to manipulate the stock market.
There are also questions surrounding the potential regulation of Musk’s tweets. There are those that argue that since Musk is a leader in a publicly-traded company, any tweets regarding his company should be subject to the same disclosure requirements that other public figures, such as CEOs, have to follow.
The debate has become even more heated with Musk’s continued tweets about cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Dogecoin. By tweeting his thoughts on these investments and his support of them, Musk has been able to drive up the prices of these investments significantly, leading some to wonder if his tweets should be considered market manipulation.
At the same time, the influence Musk has over other companies and industries is undeniable. For example, his tweets about GameStop and the subsequent stock surge had a huge impact on the video game retail industry.
The Impact of His Twitter Superpower on Society
The impact of Elon Musk’s Twitter superpower is not just limited to the business world. It has also had a profound effect on society. Through his tweets, Musk is able to influence public opinion and shape the conversation.
For instance, his tweets about climate change and the environment have had a huge impact on the public’s perception of these issues. His tweets have also become a rallying cry for those looking to combat these issues.
Similarly, his tweets have also had a large impact on the tech industry. Through his use of Twitter, Musk has been able to drive innovation and progress in the tech world. His tweets have provided a platform to discuss new ideas, technologies, and advancements.
Conclusion
Although it is difficult to deny the power that Elon Musk’s Twitter presence has had over the business world and beyond, it is still unclear what the responsibilities of this power are. With Musk having such a far-reaching influence, it is important to consider how his tweets are impacting society and whether or not this power should be regulated. Ultimately, only time will tell how this unprecedented corporate power will be used and whether or not it will be used for good or bad.
