“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?

Dive into the tumultuous journey of one of the most influential social media platforms as "Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter" unfolds a captivating narrative. From its early days as a microblogging site to a global communication powerhouse, Twitter has been the stage for revolutions, debates, and global discourse. When tech visionary Elon Musk takes the reins, a dramatic and unexpected transformation follows, leaving a trail of innovation and controversy.

This book reveals the untold story, exploring the consequences of Musk's bold decisions, the shifting landscape of social media, and the ripple effects on society.

Elon Musk's leadership sparked significant changes within Twitter's core infrastructure and vision. The transformation under Musk's guidance led to diverse user reactions and industry repercussions. Explores the broader implications of Musk's influence on the digital world and communication.

Delving into the influence of Elon Musk on Twitter this book provides an intriguing exploration of power and innovation in the digital age. Through detailed analysis readers will uncover how Musk's avant-garde approach dismantled traditional paradigms. Examining the tension between innovation and stability the book dissects Twitter's evolution under Musk's guidance.

It discusses how Musk's unpredictable strategies tested Twitter's resilience creating waves across social media. The narrative is driven by comprehensive research and insider interviews offering a behind-the-scenes look at Twitter's metamorphosis. It balances the admiration and criticism Musk received during this unprecedented period of transformation.

Through Rich storytelling readers are guided through the challenges and triumphs experienced by Twitter under Musk looking at ethical considerations and unforeseen consequences of his vision. The book ultimately challenges readers to reconsider the power dynamics within social media and the impact of leadership choices on public discourse and community building.

Character Limit delivers a riveting narrative that merges in-depth analysis with real-world implications offering a fresh perspective on social media evolution The book capitalizes on extensive research and expert insights providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of Musk's controversial imprint on Twitter Its engaging storytelling makes complex technological and societal themes accessible encouraging readers to reflect on the nature of modern communication and digital influence.