Republicans still support Twitter, despite recent upheaval under Elon Musk and a strange ‘X’ rebrand.
Republicans still support Twitter, despite recent upheaval under Elon Musk and a strange 'X' rebrand.
Twitter’s “X” Rebrand: A Partisan Divide and Republican Patience
The response to Elon Musk’s reshaping of Twitter — which he recently re-named “X” — has predictably fallen along partisan lines. Democrats have consistently criticized the platform’s content moderation policies and Twitter verification business model, warning that it has become a key vector for misinformation. Meanwhile, Republicans, who viewed Musk’s takeover as a victory for free speech online, have shown patience and remain optimistic despite the platform’s challenges and frequent shake-ups.
Republicans at the Capitol last week expressed their continued support for Twitter and their willingness to ride out the changes. According to Senator JD Vance of Ohio, “A lot of these changes take time to really materialize.” While he acknowledged some concerns about shadow-banning certain accounts, Vance believes in the importance of allowing an open exchange for debate on the platform.
Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina echoed Vance’s sentiments, saying, “He’s got a vision that some share, and some don’t.” Mace specifically lauded the implementation of “Community Notes,” a fact-checking measure that adds context to controversial tweets. Although she hasn’t been fact-checked yet, Mace appreciates the tool’s existence and believes it’s a step in the right direction.
However, both Mace and Vance admitted confusion about the “X” rebrand. Mace commented, “Are we calling it X now? I don’t understand that part of it.” On the other hand, Vance stated, “I guess I don’t have a strong view about the ‘X’ thing. Seems fine, Twitter seemed fine, don’t really care.”
Republican Representative Chip Roy of Texas, known for his active engagement on Twitter, expressed satisfaction that the “lockdown on free speech seems to have been largely lifted.” While acknowledging some hiccups along the way, Roy has not bothered to pay the $8 fee for verification on the platform, saying, “I just don’t care about most of this stuff.”
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Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who browses both Twitter and Instagram’s Threads, downplayed Democratic criticisms of the platform. He stated, “I think each party delights when the opposition takes a shot at the knees,” suggesting that Musk’s influence is merely shaping the platform in a more conservative direction.
Romney, who was caught maintaining a secret Twitter account in 2019, had no comment on whether he still uses such an account. However, he clarified that, apart from messaging from his official accounts, he refrains from engaging in any commentary on the platform. Romney’s approach to Twitter consists of simply reading, with little investment in active participation.
Although some Republicans mentioned a decrease in their Twitter usage, they attributed it to the demands of their day jobs rather than specific issues with the platform. Representative Dan Crenshaw of Texas described himself as “exhausted” with Twitter and focused more on Instagram and Facebook, which he believes better connect him with his constituents.
Despite their frustrations, Republicans understand the continued importance of Twitter as a central source for information distribution. Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin noted a drop in his usage but remained optimistic about Musk’s recent decision to allow certain users to monetize their content. Tiffany believes this change will help counter the negative impact social media platforms have had on the news industry, particularly local news.
For Mace, remaining on Twitter is also a matter of practicality. She recognizes that it remains one of the primary platforms for effective communication. Cutting off access to such a platform would be unwise in terms of political strategy.
In the end, while Democrats explore potential alternatives to Twitter, Republicans are staying the course. They support Musk’s vision, even if there are aspects they don’t fully understand or agree with. Regardless of its challenges, Twitter continues to hold a significant place in Republican lawmakers’ online presence and communication strategies.
