Elon Musk would like to sell you a used conspiracy theory

[Nevilledog]

https://donmoynihan.substack.com/p/elon-musk-and-all-the-conspiracy?sd=pf

In 2018, when a group of teens were trapped in a cave in Thailand, Elon Musk offered a splashy solution: he would send a tiny submarine that could rescue them. His idea was mocked as a PR stunt by some, including Vernon Unsworth, an experienced cave diver who advised the successful rescue. Musk called Unsworth a “pedo guy” on twitter to his then 20 million followers, repeated the claims after deleting the original tweet, and told a reporter that Unsworth was a “child rapist.”

Musk ultimately won a defamation case by claiming his accusation was not meant to be taken literally. But the incident was revealing of Musk in ways that are playing out now that he is primary owner of Twitter.

Musk wanted to insert himself as the hero in a story that captivated the world. When his actions were mocked, he lashed out, using the vilest smear. Angry at the public criticism that followed, he gravitated towards followers and grifters who applauded him, including a conman to whom he paid $50,000 to investigate Unsworth.

Musk has been criticized for his erratic leadership at Twitter, with one conspicuous exception: right-wing conspiracy grifters praise him as a hero, perceiving a figure that will allow them to assert unfettered influence on Twitter. And Musk gravitates towards the applause, replying to them and responding their suggestions about how to run the website. We are starting to see consequences for Twitter itself.

*snip*

[underpants]

1. He went straight to calling this guy that and HE WON? B

Jeebus.

[Nevilledog]

2. I believe the diver had the misfortune of picking Lin Wood as his attorney.

[dalton99a]

3. Kick