In a week of shifting tides for Elon Musk‘s ownership of Twitter, the platform once again finds itself in the midst of turmoil. After a brief period of stability following mass layoffs and the hiring of a new CEO, a conservative pressure campaign emerged, aiming to promote a 95-minute anti-transgender video titled “What Is A Woman?” Initially hesitant, Musk eventually relented and agreed to promote the video, resulting in high-level departures within a span of 24 hours.
A Battle of Ideals Unfolds
The controversy surrounding the “What Is A Woman?” video shed light on Musk’s improvisational approach to rewriting Twitter’s rules. Ella Irwin, the head of Twitter’s trust and safety division, left the company on the same day, followed by A.J. Brown, responsible for reassuring advertisers about the platform’s brand safety. The repeal of the rule prohibiting misgendering trans people, which had been in place since 2018, occurred quietly under Musk’s leadership.
Debate Ignites and Divides
Musk’s response to the initial complaint from Jeremy Boreing, CEO of The Daily Wire, further intensified the situation. While Musk acknowledged his personal use of preferred pronouns, he asserted that misgendering is allowed on the platform. This decision drew swift condemnation from LGBTQ organizations, who expressed concerns about increased online bullying against transgender individuals.
Pressure Mounts and Musk Relents
The battle over the controversial video continued as Twitter users were unable to share or comment on it despite Musk’s initial support. Right-wing influencer Robby Starbuck called on Musk to take action against those limiting the video’s reach, while conservative Twitter users threatened to cancel their monthly subscriptions. In response to the mounting pressure, Musk ultimately made the video shareable, albeit with the limitation of not being placed next to advertising.
As the “What Is A Woman?” video gained widespread attention, with over 62 million views within a short period, Musk’s actions faced mixed reactions. While some celebrated his decision, others criticized his stance on trans rights, noting a disconnect between Musk and many other Silicon Valley billionaires. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of stabilizing Twitter’s situation since Musk’s acquisition of the platform, as he continues to shape its direction with conservative leanings and relaxed restrictions on bullying and hateful content.
In the wake of the controversy, high-level departures and internal debates at Twitter underscore the complexities of the company’s attempts to navigate transgender rights issues. The departure of Ella Irwin, a staunch supporter of Musk, and the deactivation of her internal Slack account further emphasize the influence Musk holds in rewriting Twitter’s rulebook according to his own edicts. With hate speech against LGBTQ individuals increasing on the platform, the consequences of Musk’s decisions on trans rights remain a subject of debate.
In a realm where misgendering remains a form of bullying that invalidates the identities of trans and gender nonbinary individuals, Dustin Moskovitz, CEO of Asana and a co-founder of Facebook, encourages individuals with views similar to Musk’s to engage in dialogue with transgender people to foster understanding. The controversy surrounding the “What Is A Woman?” video serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles Twitter faces in finding a balance between free speech, safety, and inclusivity on its platform.
