Is Elon Musk Killing Twitter? Intelligence Squared U.S. Tapes Virtual Debate on Monday, January 9

Since shelling out $44 billion for Twitter, critics say Elon Musk is knocking the social media giant off its perch. Under his guidance, a slew of firings, a resurgence of unsavory Tweeters, and a bevy of on-again, off-again bans, have all raised questions about the platform’s long-term viability. Some investors have labeled Musk an albatross around Twitter’s neck, calling for him to stay focused on Tesla and SpaceX and find someone else to run the social media company’s operations. Others say Musk is actually freeing the bird from anti-conservative censorship, which will engender more open discourse. His moves, they say, are all a part of a broader business acumen that has proven successful in the past. In that context, award-winning debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. will tape a virtual debate on the question: “Is Elon Musk Killing Twitter?”

Arguing "YES" is Kara Swisher, an acclaimed journalist who has covered the business of the internet since 1994 and co-founded Vox Media's Recode in 2014. Swisher is currently the host of the podcast On with Kara Swisher and the co-host of the podcast Pivot. Arguing "NO" is Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital, who served as the White House Director of Communications. Scaramucci worked at Goldman Sachs's investment banking, equities, and private wealth management divisions between 1989 and 1996.

While the debate will not be released widely until January 27, via public radio and the Intelligence Squared U.S. podcast, press are invited to attend the live virtual taping on Monday, January 9 at 10:00 AM ET. Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for virtual access.