Truth is Spookier than Fiction: Elon Musk Buys Twitter

By Row Sullivan

Elon Musk finally closed his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter this past weekend, with a stated goal of loosening speech restrictions on the platform. We took to the quad to get the opinion of AU wonks.

$44 Billion? That’s a steal compared to AU’s cost of tuition.

Imatra N. Sfer, undecided ‘26

As a spokesman for AUSG, I strongly condemn Elon Musk’s recent acquisition as deeply undemocratic and detrimental to both the country and American University student body as a whole. I vow to do everything in my power as you student-body at-large Senator to hold Musk accountable in these trying times, which is to say I will continue to do nothing but bicker amongst my fellow Senators. 

Paul Simon, SPA ‘24

You [expletive] [expletive] [slur] snowflakes don't understand basic economics. The monopolization of every large business conglomerate into the hands of a couple power-hungry white men is simply the result of healthy competition under capitalism, you [expletive] Commies.

Chad Chaddington, KOGOD ‘25

Elon Musk has a long history of embodying the American University spirit. From Tesla, to the hyperloop in Las Vegas, and subtly being against genderqueer people existing, Musk excels at pretending to adequately solve problems and being a true American University Changemaker. Maybe one day he can partner with esteemed American University alum Jordan Belfort.

Sylvia Burwell, American University President

Being on Twitter is like half my personality, I swear to God if Elon Musk ruins this for me….

Nota Tallme, CAS ‘23

Twitter is an important global resource for how we communicate and interact. Musk’s takeover could have profound implications in the domestic and global spheres. Will a potential reinstatement of President Trump’s account lead to a reemergence of his popularity among right-wing conservatives that could spell an end to democracy as we know it? As an old, semi-retired white person that doesn’t have to worry about the consequences of this for me, I look forward to watching this play out from an academic perspective.

Oprah Tive, SIS Professor