Months before taking control of Twitter, Elon Musk criticized the social networking site for “failing to adhere to free speech principles,” going as far as to say that the app “fundamentally undermines democracy.”
Musk, who has previously referred to himself as a “free speech absolutist” is wielding his power, making changes to the site on a whim.
Donald Trump
In January 2021, the former president’s account was permanently suspended by Twitter “due to the risk of further incitement of violence” following the insurrection at the Capitol.
According to CNN, Trump was suspended after sending two tweets, including this one: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”
Politico reported that Trump went “ballistic” following the ban and was scrambling to figure out what his options were, according to a senior administration official. He eventually launched a new social-media app called Truth Social in February.
After debating whether Trump would return to the site, Musk left it up to users on Friday by making a poll: “Reinstate former President Donald Trump,” Musk tweeted, with a “yes” and “no” option. After 51% of respondents voted “yes,” the billionaire owner restored Trump’s Twitter account the next day.
It’s unclear whether the former president will return to the bird app since creating Truth Social.
“I am not going on Twitter, I am going to stay on TRUTH,” Trump told Fox News in April. “I hope Elon buys Twitter because he’ll make improvements to it and he is a good man, but I am going to be staying on TRUTH.”
“The bottom line is, no, I am not going back to Twitter,” he said.
The people have spoken.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 20, 2022
Trump will be reinstated.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei. https://t.co/jmkhFuyfkv
Andrew Tate
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate was suspended from Twitter in 2017 after violating the company’s terms of service. NBC reported that Tate tweeted women should “bare some responsibility” for being sexually assaulted, which initiated the suspension.
Tate has become a leader for a new generation of the “manosphere” and frequently spews misogynistic and violent comments about women.
After five years, his Twitter account was reinstated.
Mastery is a funny thing.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) November 18, 2022
It’s almost as if, on a long enough time scale, losing simply isn’t an option.
Such is the way of Wudan. pic.twitter.com/rJkK92hzCd
Jordan Peterson
Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson was temporarily suspended from the social media network after violating the site’s hateful conduct policy on June 28. Peterson referred to transgender actor Elliot Page by his deadname, per Forbes.
After being suspended, Peterson filmed a nearly 15-minute long YouTube video, saying he would rather die than delete the hateful tweet.
Following Musk’s tweet on November 18 stating that Peterson would have his account restored, the professor seemed to be relishing the comeback, posting a deluge of tweets.
I'm back. Thanks @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/MnWWNDACGD
— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) November 18, 2022
The Babylon Bee
The Babylon Bee, a right-wing satirical site, was banned in March for making an anti-trans comment about Rachel Levine, a trans woman currently serving as US assistant secretary of health.
In response to the ban, CEO Seth Dillon made a post on The Babylon Bee’s website saying, “We won’t compromise the truth just to keep our account.”
After being reinstated on November 18, The Babylon Bee tweeted, “We’re back. Let that sink in.”
We're back. Let that sink in.
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) November 18, 2022
Kathy Griffin
Comedian Kathy Griffin’s account was suspended and then revived in the span of a month.
Her account was suspended in November after she impersonated Musk and mocked him in several tweets. After copying Musk’s profile picture, Griffin tweeted, “After much spirited discussion with the females in my life, I’ve decided that voting blue for their choice is only right. (They’re also sexy females, btw.) #VoteBlueToProtectWomen.”
While Peterson may have embraced Musk’s decision, Griffin wanted nothing do with it. On Mastodon, a social network many Twitter users have flocked to, Griffin tooted — Mastodon’s version of tweeting — “Dear Space Karen. No Thanks.”
Kanye West
Kanye West’s Twitter was locked following the rapper’s antisemitic rant in October when he said he was “going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”
The rant was one of Ye’s first tweets on the app since 2020, after his Instagram account was restricted.
On November 20, West tweeted, “Testing Testing Seeing if my Twitter is unblocked” to which Musk responded, “Don’t kill what ye hate Save what ye love.”
Testing Testing Seeing if my Twitter is unblocked
— ye (@kanyewest) November 20, 2022
CURATED FROM:
Zavarise, Isabella. Here are the suspended Twitter accounts that have been reinstated since Elon Musk took over. 20 Nov, 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/list-of-twitter-accounts-reinstated-since-elon-musk-took-over-2022-11.