“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 a riveting account of power, ambition, and unintended consequences, this book delves deep into how Elon Musk, the tech mogul renowned for his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, inadvertently led Twitter onto a path of transformation that few anticipated. Through meticulous research and exclusive insights, readers are taken on a journey that highlights the complexities of social media influence, billionaire whims, and technological disruption. The story of Twitter's unraveling under Musk's influence serves as a cautionary tale for the digital age.

Elon Musk's involvement fundamentally altered Twitter's business model and operational ethos. This book unveils the unexpected repercussions of merging corporate ambition with social media dynamics. Readers gain a deeper understanding of social networking's vulnerability to charismatic leadership.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of Elon Musk's influence over Twitter, tracing the roots of his involvement and the subsequent effects on the platform. It examines how Musk's polarizing vision for innovation clashed with Twitter's original values and purpose. This text unravels the strategic miscalculations, business gambles, and unforeseen cultural shifts sparked by Musk's presence.

The narrative weaves together interviews with insiders, industry experts, and former employees, providing a mosaic of perspectives on Musk's impact. Readers discover how Twitter, once heralded as a beacon of real-time information, spiraled into unforeseen territory, shaking its foundational principles. Exploring broader themes of leadership and responsibility, the book sheds light on how Musk's attempts to reform and revolutionize Twitter rapidly turned into a series of contentious decisions.

This gripping account highlights the power imbalances that can emerge when corporate visionaries interact with complex ecosystems. It serves as a timely exploration into the delicate balance of freedom of speech and moderation. This text not only critiques Musk's approach but also questions the sustainability of Twitter's model in the rapidly evolving landscape of social media.

Character Limit stands out due to its meticulous research drawing from diverse sources that provide a rounded perspective on Musk's intentions and Twitter's evolution Engaging narratives bring the story to life for readers This book uniquely combines elements of a business case study with a deep dive into the complexities of social networks It captures the unexpected outcomes of merging innovation with traditional platforms The storytelling approach humanizes the corporate dynamics offering readers relatable insights into the personal and professional stakes involved The book's accessibility makes complex themes approachable for a wide audience.