Trump Truths vs. Trump Tweets, Chappell Roan's Non-Endorsement, and Behind the Scenes at Elon's Twitter
Sep 29, 2024
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Kate Conger, a New York Times tech reporter and coauthor of a book on Elon Musk's impact on Twitter, joins Ryan Mac, her writing partner, to dissect Musk's chaotic takeover of the platform. They reveal behind-the-scenes insights on Twitter's decline under Musk's management. The conversation also delves into Trump's shift to Truth Social, raising questions about his evolving influence, and discusses Chappell Roan’s unique position on political endorsements and the role of celebrities in today’s complex political landscape.
Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter has significantly decreased its financial value, highlighting challenges in his management approach and platform viability.
The shift towards right-leaning content moderation under Musk raises concerns about user trust and the integrity of discourse on political issues.
Chappell Roan's neutral political stance reflects a broader struggle among youth to understand the stakes of political choices amidst algorithm-driven narratives.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Impact on Twitter's Value
The podcast discusses how Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter has led to a dramatic decline in its financial value. Initially purchased for $44 billion, the company's worth is now estimated to be between $12 billion and $19 billion. This situation illustrates not only the challenges Musk faces in managing the platform, but also raises questions about its viability as a business. The conversation suggests that the transformation Musk has applied is impacting both user trust and the platform's operational integrity.
Shift in Content Moderation and Political Alignment
The episode examines how the approach to content moderation on Twitter has changed under Musk's leadership. Emphasizing Musk's personal views, the platform has increasingly embraced a right-leaning stance that endorses content he finds favorable. This shift has also affected the discourse surrounding significant political and social issues, illustrating the potential dangers of such a centralized viewpoint in moderating discussions. The guests point out that this new direction has significant implications for user engagement and safety.
Tweaking the Effectiveness of the Platform
A key point made in the podcast is that, despite being able to influence the platform's direction, Musk has shown little interest in projects that could enhance user experience or address widespread issues. Blue Sky, a project aimed at increasing platform interconnectivity, and Project Saturn, which proposed a nuanced approach to content moderation, were both sidelined. The discussion emphasizes how Musk's focus seems less about improving the platform universally and more about aligning it with his subjective views. This lack of commitment to necessary changes has sparked concern regarding the overall functionality of Twitter.
Perception of Trump and Post-Presidency Influence
The conversation touches on how former President Trump's absence from Twitter has changed the political landscape online. Despite Trump being reinstated, his reduced activity has led to questions about whether Musk's policies have effectively revitalized the extreme discourse once prevalent on the platform. Guests note the difficulty in gauging Trump's influence, as many users have become accustomed to his absence. The dynamics of political communication on social media platforms continue to evolve, raising significant concerns for the electoral landscape.
Celebrity Influence and Political Discourse
The podcast explores the role of celebrities, specifically in relation to the recent comments by pop artist Chappell Rhone, reflecting broader societal views among youth. Rhone's neutral stance on political issues has sparked debate, demonstrating a larger trend where individuals struggle to understand the stakes between political candidates. The dialogue suggests that the misunderstanding among younger voters stems from algorithm-driven social media narratives that distort the actual consequences of political choices. In essence, the failures of political celebrities to engage meaningfully with issues reflect a disconnect that can have detrimental effects on democratic engagement.
New York Times tech reporter Kate Conger joins Offline to discuss Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter, a new book she coauthored with Ryan Mac. It’s the best coverage out there of Elon’s takeover and the subsequent deterioration of the platform, with behind-the-scenes reporting on how and why he bought the company, and the decisions he’s made since. But first! Jon and Max discuss whether the danger of Donald Trump has become more abstract since his forced migration to Truth Social. Then they unpack Chappell Roan’s decision to support but not endorse Kamala Harris, and John Mulaney’s hilarious takedown of Salesforce at the company’s own conference.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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