Zoë Schiffer has crafted a definitive account of one of the most bizarre business tales of our time—a fast-paced narrative that is both hilarious and tragic. When Elon Musk took over Twitter, many hoped that his visionary leadership from Tesla and SpaceX would revitalize the platform, making it more conducive to free speech. Musk claimed his motivations were altruistic, stating, “I didn’t do it to make more money; I did it to try and help humanity.” However, his approach quickly unraveled. Drawing from extensive interviews with over sixty employees and thousands of internal documents, this book reveals how Musk transformed Twitter into his personal megaphone. Readers will hear firsthand from employees who witnessed the rapid decline of their workplace, with years of progress against disinformation and hate speech dismantled in mere months. The narrative includes perspectives from a machine-learning expert betrayed by Musk, a father seeking healthcare who found himself in Musk’s inner circle, and a trust and safety specialist targeted by a harassment campaign incited by his boss. This story not only chronicles Twitter’s tumultuous journey but also reflects the broader post-pandemic labor movement, highlighting the clash between executives and an awakened workforce. Filled with shocking revelations, this account provides an insider's view of how Musk's leadership led to a $44 billion disaster at Twitter.
