Tensions between Musk, Democrats flare with Trump’s expected return to Twitter

Tensions between Elon Musk and Senate Democrats are heating up ahead of former President Trump’s expected return to Twitter, which comes amid reports that the popular social

media platform has seen a rise in hate speech since Musk’s takeover last year.   Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is raising concerns about Twitter’s opaque financing and

whether foreign interests could gain enough influence over the “digital town square” ahead of the 2024 election to pose a national security threat.   Musk, anticipating

more criticism from Democratic lawmakers, on Wednesday predicted the Biden administration “may try to weaponize federal agencies against Twitter.”   He made the comment

after NBC News reported that Trump is preparing to return to Facebook and Twitter.   Musk lifted Trump’s ban from Twitter in November, drawing criticism from civil

rights leaders such as NAACP President Derrick Johnson. Trump was banned from the platform after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and has said he will remain on his

own social media platform, Truth Social.   Twitter was Trump’s favorite social media platform before his ban, and he used it to communicate directly with more than 80

million followers. His use of Twitter changed news cycles and shaped political debates and policy while he was in office in ways that raised questions for government and

the media.