Saudi influence on Twitter?
Biden would have Musk’s foreign relations checked
11/10/2022 9:44 am
In addition to Elon Musk, other people are financing the Twitter purchase. Also present is a prince and businessman from Saudi Arabia. Two US senators are already calling for the process to be reviewed because human rights activists could be at risk. Now US President Biden is also open to the investigation.
US President Joe Biden has opened up about an investigation into new Twitter owner Elon Musk’s foreign ties. “I think Elon Musk’s collaboration and/or technical relationships with other countries are worth exploring,” Biden said on Wednesday (local time). “I don’t want to imply whether he does something inappropriate or not.”
Musk took over the online service Twitter at the end of October after a month-long stalemate for around 44 billion dollars (around 44 billion euros). A group of investors backed the purchase, including Saudi Arabian prince and businessman Al-Walid bin Talal. Last month there were reports that the US government is considering a national security review of Musk’s takeover of Twitter.
Two US senators called for a corresponding review. This is to prevent the platform from accessing user data that could endanger human rights activists and critics of the Saudi government.
Influencing US politics possible
“We should be concerned that the Saudis, who have a clear interest in suppressing political expression and influencing US policy, are now the second largest owner of a major social media platform,” said US Senator Chris Murphy.
Musk had recently caused outrage again and again by repeating positions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine war. Musk also suggested that Taiwan should become part of China. The 51-year-old is the boss of the electric car manufacturer Tesla, which also produces in China.