From Trump to Kanye and Musk: why are the super-rich buying social media sites?

Twitter and other platforms allow the ultra-wealthy to act as political gatekeepers, transforming both politics and society

Elon Musk may soon own a social media network imbued with so much political capital it could fracture nations. Picture: AP/Susan Walsh

Ever wonder what the richest man in the world buys? Elon Musk, rated No 1 by Forbes on its 2022 list of billionaires, may soon own a social media network imbued with so much political capital it could fracture nations.

It’s the latest expression of an uncomfortable truth: tech CEOs have become the most crucial political gatekeepers in modern media history. Not by running for office — a cliche for today’s moneyed elite – but by using social media ownership as a proxy for political influence.