“The definitive account of how the world’s richest man, in a fit of unbridled vanity and arrogance, took over and destroyed our digital town square.”—John Carreyrou, author of Bad Blood​ "Astonishing. Kate Conger and Ryan Mac’s meticulous, comprehensive reporting turns an opaque mess brutally transparent."—Jia Tolentino, author of Trick Mirror Rising star New York Times technology reporters, Kate Conger and Ryan Mac, tell for the first time the full and shocking inside story of Elon Musk’s unprecedented takeover of Twitter and the forty-four-billion-dollar deal’s seismic political, social, and financial fallout The billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become inextricable from the social media platform that until 2023 was known as Twitter. Started in the mid-2000s as a playful microblogging platform, Twitter quickly became a vital nexus of global politics, culture, and media—where the retweet button could instantly catapult any idea to hundreds of millions of screens around the world, unleashing raw collective emotion like nothing else before.

While its founder had idealistically dreamed of building a "digital town square," he detested Wall Street and never focused on building a profitable business. Musk joined the platform in 2010 and, by 2022, had become one of the site’s most influential users, hooking over 80 million followers with a mix of provocations, promotion of his companies, and attacks on his enemies. To Musk, Twitter—once known for its almost absolute commitment to free speech—had badly lost its way.

He blamed it for the proliferation of what he called the “woke mind virus” and claimed that the survival of democracy and the human race itself depended on the future of the site. In January of 2022, Musk began secretly accumulating Twitter stock. By April, he was its largest shareholder, and soon after, made an unsolicited offer to purchase the company for the unimaginable sum of $44 billion dollars.

Backed into a corner, Twitter’s board accepted his offer—but Musk quickly changed his mind, forcing Twitter to sue him to close the deal in October. The richest man on earth controlled one of the most powerful media platforms in the world—but at what price? Before long Twitter would be gone for good, replaced by something radically different, as Musk remade the company in his own image from the ground up.

The story of the showdown between Musk and Twitter and his eventual takeover of the company is unlike anything in business or media that has come before. In vivid, cinematic detail, Conger and Mac follow the inner workings of the company as Musk lays siege to it, first from the outside as one of its most vocal users, and then finally from within as a contentious and mercurial leader. Musk has shared some of his version of events, but Conger and Mac have uncovered the full story through exclusive interviews, unreported documents, and internal recordings at Twitter following the billionaire’s takeover.

With unparalleled sources from within and around the company, they provide a revelatory, three-dimensional, and definitive account of what really happened when Musk showed up, spoiling for a brawl and intent on revolution, with his merciless, sycophantic cadre of lawyers, investors, and bankers. This is the defining story of our time told with uncommon style and peerless rigor. In a world of viral ideas and emotion, who gets to control the narrative, who gets to be heard, and what does power really cost?

In the digital age, few platforms have wielded as much influence as Twitter, a bastion of micro-communication and global interaction. Yet, behind its seemingly unassailable facade lies a story of ambition, innovation, and, ultimately, destruction. "Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter" dives deep into the saga of one of the most notable personalities in tech and his tumultuous relationship with the social media giant.

Elon Musk's bold ideas brought transformative changes and significant disruptions to Twitter. The rise and fall of Twitter illustrate the challenges of steering digital platforms in fast-evolving tech landscapes. Societal influence of digital platforms poses risks when driven by unpredictable visionary figures.

Elon Musk a visionary often surrounded by both reverence and controversy saw Twitter as more than just a social media platform. He envisioned it as a tool to revolutionize communication across industries. His visions though revolutionary became sources of friction with Twitter's established ethos and existing user base stirring debates and conflict.

As Musk implemented sweeping changes from radical policy shifts to innovative technology integrations the core of Twitter's essence began to decline. This book explores how Musk's unconventional leadership style combined with an insatiable hunger for innovation eventually alienated key stakeholders. The resulting disarray is a cautionary tale of disruption gone awry.

Character Limit" takes readers beyond boardroom decisions tracking key principle shifts in the company and documenting significant public reactions. The narrative also delves into case studies illustrating both the immediate impact of Musk\'s decisions on Twitter\'s operations and the broader implications for digital platforms worldwide. This book isn't just a chronological recount of events; instead it offers a critical analysis of what Twitter was what it became and the profound factors that triggered its decline.

Through meticulous research and insider accounts readers gain an understanding of the fine line between innovation and ethical responsibility. Ultimately Character Limit" emerges as an essential read for those interested in the dynamics of power within tech industries the rise and fall of digital giants and the complex figures that shape their destinies. It bridges the gap between the enigmatic persona of Musk and the chaotic transformation of Twitter.

What makes "Character Limit" compelling is its deep dive into the intricate relationship between two modern titans Readers witness not just the professional entanglements but also how personal dynamics influenced business outcomes. \nThis book's fresh perspective on the volatile nature of digital platforms in the hands of visionary leaders stands out It presses readers to ponder how much risk is acceptable for potential innovation and which risks are simply too great. \nThrough exclusive interviews and insider insights Character Limit" uncovers hidden facets of a widely discussed but often misunderstood corporate drama It offers readers unprecedented access to a narrative that reshaped a digital empire.