The process of Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has begun. After 12 days of heavy negotiation, on 25 April, Musk and Twitter’s board came to an agreement – he would be buying the company for $44 billion USD. Now, what does this mean for Parag Agrawal, Twitter’s newly appointed CEO who took the position a couple of months back?
According to a report by TIME, Elon Musk wants to promote his idea of free speech. As the owner of the company, he has the power to transform the board and fire employees who don’t align with his vision. And Elon has previously mentioned that “he did not have confidence in (the company’s) management.”
This does put CEO Parag Agrawal at risk. Agrawal’s idea of ‘free speech’ is a stark contrast to Elon Musk’s idea of the same. Twitter sparked a massive free speech debate after it suspended former US President Donald Trump’s account.
In a 2020 interview, Parag Agrawal had discussed fighting misinformation on Twitter. He had said, “Our role is not to be bound by the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech), but our role is to serve a healthy public conversation and our moves are reflective of things that we believe lead to a healthier public conversation.”
On the other hand, Musk is a “free speech absolutist”.
View this post on Instagram
“I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy,” Musk claimed.
Since Musk and Agrawal’s views clearly clash, it does spell out trouble for the latter. However, whether Musk will continue to keep Agrawal in the position of CEO is still a question that hasn’t been answered. Musk has not yet specified who he doesn’t have confidence in within Twitter’s management.
But if terminated from his position within 12 months of the change of control, Agrawal will be getting 42 million USD, reported Economic Times.
Desi people on Twitter started having their own meme party after news of Elon Musk’s takeover began dominating headlines! Have a look:
Parag agrawal position as CEO has become uncertain now with Elon musk buying twitter. Chahe twitter ke CEO ban jao, pvt job main uncertainity rehti hi hai 🤧.
— SwatKat💃 (@swatic12) April 26, 2022
@paraga Agarwal Neighbour's right Now —
"humne to usse pehle hi bola tha TCS ya INFOSYS pe join karne ko
kamse kam job safety to rehti"— â‚¿ubai (@Bubaii12) April 26, 2022
currently at Twitter HQ pic.twitter.com/G5jzRWeYZX
— andre bass (@onlyandrebass) April 25, 2022
Parag Agrawal from tomorrow : pic.twitter.com/PaBAMvREtp
— AKSHAT (@akxt_15) April 26, 2022
Elon Musk to Parag Agrawal after buying Twitter pic.twitter.com/YYhls0kArg
— MoMo🥟 (@diimplegirll) April 26, 2022
Parag agrawal’s parents now pic.twitter.com/wzQvJ2YAoX
— Harshhh! (@Harsh_humour) April 26, 2022
#TwitterCEO@paraga to Elon Musk ..😂 pic.twitter.com/UixrFUCstB
— Brijesh Negi (@midastouch786) April 26, 2022
"Will you still be the CEO of Twitter after Elon Musk takes over?"
Parag Agrawal: pic.twitter.com/Hr6nB1Ntkb
— penguwing (@PetwingPenguin) April 26, 2022
#TwitterTakeover #Tesla #ParagAgrawal #TwitterCEO #ElonMuskTwitter #ElonMusk#ElonMuskBuyTwitter
Parag Agrawal ,Twitter CEOTo #ParagAgrawal : pic.twitter.com/LqFzFZ9t4b
— whole Punjab & Harayana (@justburself24) April 26, 2022
Parag agrawal after twitter purchased by musk pic.twitter.com/LqFrjTxyxt
— _CITIZEN OF COSMOS_ (@Harshittweeets) April 25, 2022
Even Jack Dorsey says "Elon is the singular solution I trust"
Parag Agrawal be like: pic.twitter.com/GeSgjFZeJe
— Finlight (@myfinlight) April 26, 2022
History will remember you #ParagAgrawal as the first Agrawal
Jo dhandha nahi sambhal paya— Anmol Sharma (@_dranmolsharma) April 26, 2022
Parag Agrawal’s career as Twitter CEO: pic.twitter.com/PPTP0bDsPb
— Kamini Sharma (@secret___soul) April 26, 2022
What are your views on this takeover? Tell us!