Elon Musk’s latest endeavor has taken an unexpected turn into the world of art and LGBTQ+ memorabilia. With the recent demise of Twitter and the rise of X, Musk has announced an auction featuring an array of items that evoke the platform’s history, including an iconic painting of Ellen DeGeneres’s famed Oscars selfie. The group portrait, captured during DeGeneres’ hosting of the 2014 Oscars, holds historical significance as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Images of All Time, alongside cultural landmarks such as the moon landing and Dorothea Lange’s migrant mother.
The remarkable selfie, taken by Bradley Cooper, showcases a star-studded cast including Ellen DeGeneres, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Jared Leto, Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o, and her brother Peter. This vivid snapshot, which garnered over 3 million retweets during the awards show, was once adorned on the walls of the Twitter offices. However, with Elon Musk now steering the ship, the painting has come to symbolize a bygone era of Twitter’s legacy and is poised for a new chapter.
Apart from the iconic painting, the auction offers an eclectic mix of items such as @ and # statues, a Twitter logo-embellished birdcage, and even everyday office fixtures like chairs, desks, and coffee makers. The event is set to take place in San Francisco on September 12 and will be managed by Heritage Global Partners. Over a span of two days, interested buyers can browse through 584 items on sale, with each item’s starting bid set at $25.
Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media platform, previously known as Twitter, has been accompanied by controversies aplenty. The once-vibrant ‘blue check’ program underwent transformations, massive layoffs transpired, and the site’s very name underwent change under Musk’s leadership. Unfortunately, this transition has also had adverse effects on the LGBTQ+ community. A study in March unveiled a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ tweets since Musk’s acquisition, with the company profiting from such content. Additionally, Twitter quietly removed a protective clause from its “Hateful Conduct” policy, leaving transgender individuals more exposed to online abuse.
Furthermore, Musk’s own views on LGBTQ+ issues have been contentious. He has exhibited a history of spreading transphobic rhetoric, a stance that heightened concerns when he acquired the social media platform. His trans daughter, Vivian, expressed her desire to disassociate from her biological father legally, underscoring the complexity of their relationship. As Musk’s auction commences, it’s evident that his influence over Twitter transcends its virtual realm, touching upon crucial matters of LGBTQ+ representation and digital inclusivity.