Psaki Says Biden ‘Concerned’ About ‘Harms’ Caused by Social Media When Asked If Elon Musk Will Get Trump Back on Twitter

Zachary LeemanApr 25th, 2022, 5:17 pm
 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed President Joe Biden has “long been concerned” about the power of social media platforms, as well as the “harm” they cause, on Monday after being asked about Elon Musk’s deal to purchase Twitter and the potential for Donald Trump to return to the platform.

“Do you have a response to [Musk purchasing Twitter]?” ABC News chief White House correspondent Cecelia Vega asked during a Monday press briefing. “And does the White House have any concerns that this new agreement might have President Trump back on the platform?”

After saying she would not comment on any “specific transaction,” Psaki spoke on Biden’s concerns about social media, though she did not specify if there would be any potential policies put in place once Musk fully takes over Twitter.

“What I can tell you as a general matter, no matter who owns or runs Twitter, the president has long been concerned about the power of large social media platforms, the power they have over our everyday lives. He’s long argued that tech platforms must be held accountable for the harms they cause,” Psaki said.

Asked later whether the president is worried Musk may allow more “disinformation” onto Twitter considering his well-known distaste for censorship and past suspensions by the platform, Psaki reiterated “concerns” the president has about social media platforms, Twitter included, being used to spread “misinformation.”

“Our concerns are not new,” she said. “We’ve long talked about and the president has long talked about his concerns about the power of social media platforms, including Twitter, to spread misinformation, disinformation, the need for these platforms to be held accountable.”

At approximately the same time Psaki was refusing to directly comment on the Musk purchase, but still making the White House’s “concerns” over social media disinformation clear, Musk posted a statement to Twitter promising “improvements” to the platform.

“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” he wrote.

In a separate Monday tweet, Musk said he hopes his “worst critics” remain on the platform “because that is what free speech means.”

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Zachary Leeman

Zachary Leeman covered pop culture and politics at outlets such as Breitbart, LifeZette, BizPac Review, HollywoodinToto, and others. He is the author of the novel Nigh. He joined Mediaite in 2022.