The Associated Press (AP) was accused of misunderstanding the very concept of freedom of speech after the news organization attacked Tesla CEO Elon Musk for the “contradiction” of purporting to defend free speech despite having used Twitter’s platform to criticize others.
In an essay published Wednesday titled, “Elon Musk, an erratic visionary, revels in contradiction,” AP speaks of Musk’s “manic ambition,” while claiming the billionaire “thrives on contradiction.”
In a tweet introducing the article, AP wrote that Musk’s support for free speech stands in contrast to his criticisms of others.
“Elon Musk boasts that he’s acquiring Twitter to defend freedom of speech. But he has long used the platform to attack those who disagree with him,” the New York-based news agency wrote.
The essay accuses the 50-year-old SpaceX founder of “disdain for public officials who challenge him,” while highlighting his previous confrontations “with health officials who limited staffing at the California factory to prevent the spread of COVID, calling stay-at-home orders ‘fascist.’”
Musk is also described as one who “seems to relish taunting regulators.”
In response, many took to Twitter to highlight AP’s misconception of free speech.
“So what you’re saying is the SOB is speaking freely?” wrote Rhode Island Republican Rep. Mike Chippendale.
“I understand the traditional media really hates Elon Musk (and ‘unfettered free speech’), but they have been beclowning themselves on this campaign against him,” wrote Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
“OK, I give up. How does attacking people who disagree with you conflict with defending free speech?” asked Podcaster Gerry Callahan. “My God, the smear campaign against Musk isn’t off to a great start.”
“Lots of people seem to be unfamiliar with the concept of ‘free speech,’” wrote journalist Jonathan Chait.
“So @ElonMusk is engaging in… free speech?” asked conservative commentator Steven Crowder.
“I see yesterday was Let Your Toddler Run Social Day at the AP,” wrote journalist Tom Elliott.
This is an excerpt from Breitbart.
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