© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters following the Senate Democrats weekly coverage lunch on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photograph
By Richard Cowan and David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer mentioned on Tuesday that he hoped Twitter didn’t develop into a “darker” place below the possession of Elon Musk, with many lawmakers strongly divided on the ramifications of such a deal.
“In some ways Twitter has been a darkish, darkish place. I hope it would not get any darker,” Schumer instructed reporters when requested about Musk’s buy of the social media firm.
Schumer’s Republican counterpart, Senator Mitch McConnell, referred to as the Musk takeover an “unbelievable occasion.” He added: “It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what impression it has on the way in which Twitter operates. However we’re all watching it with quite a lot of curiosity as a result of there definitely have been our share of complaints about the way in which it has been run up to now.”
On Monday, Musk nailed down a deal to purchase Twitter Inc (NYSE:) for $44 billion.
Many Democrats wish to use the acquisition to advance legislative efforts. Some Democrats say the acquisition reveals that Congress should do extra to tax billionaires or impose privateness protections and different guidelines to rein in tech firms.
In the meantime, Republicans have strongly backed Musk’s buy plans and expressed anger at Twitter for banning former Republican President Donald Trump and others.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren referred to as Musk’s buy “harmful”… “Billionaires like Elon Musk play by a unique algorithm than everybody else, accumulating energy for their very own acquire. We want a wealth tax and robust guidelines to carry Massive Tech accountable.”
Democratic Ed Markey wrote on Twitter that “Elon Musk and a handful of billionaires now have harmful affect over probably the most highly effective on-line platforms. They cannot be trusted, and self-regulation has failed. We should move legal guidelines to guard privateness and promote algorithmic justice for web customers, particularly for teenagers.”
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who chairs the Finance Committee, referred to as for increased taxes on the wealthiest People, writing on Twitter that “if billionaires like Elon Musk can afford to scoop up media trophies for $44 billion they will afford to pay their taxes.”
Musk beforehand has directed crude insults at Wyden and different Democratic U.S. politicians on Twitter, together with President Joe Biden.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz mentioned Musk “shopping for Twitter is probably the most important factor to occur to free speech in many years.” Republican Senator Mike Braun wrote on Twitter Musk “buying Twitter is a transparent win totally free speech and America. I’m excited to see Mr. Musk unlock Twitter’s full potential!”
