billion deal
Springer boss Döpfner apparently encouraged Elon Musk to buy Twitter – and wanted to take part
Know each other for a long time: Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner and Elon Musk.
© Britta Pedersen / Getty Images
Court documents show that Tesla CEO Elon Musk maintains a lively exchange with Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner. The publisher apparently advised him to buy Twitter – and offered to take over the helm.
When it comes to Twitter, everyone wants to be involved. Court documents show who contacted the Tesla CEO before and after his purchase of numerous shares in the short message platform – including US billionaires such as Jack Dorsey, Larry Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried, but also celebrities such as Joe Rogan and Justin Roiland, the man behind of the popular series “Rick & Morty”.
Musk also received messages from Germany about the Twitter cause. Ironically, the in-house medium “Business Insider” points out in an article that Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner not only apparently encouraged Musk to buy, but also wanted to play an active role after the takeover.
“We can manage Twitter for you”
On March 30, Döpfner wrote to Musk: “Why don’t you buy Twitter? We (Axel Springer) can manage that for you and turn it into a real platform for free speech. That would be a real contribution to democracy.” Musk replied a few minutes later: “Interesting idea.” Döpfner replied: “I’m serious. It can be done. And it will be fun.”
The next conversation between the two occurred on April 4, shortly after Musk acquired 9 percent of Twitter and, as Twitter’s largest shareholder, secured a say in important company decisions. Döpfner wrote: “Congratulations on the investment in Twitter. That was quick. Shall we talk about joining the project? I was serious about my suggestion.” Musk didn’t answer.
Five hours later, Döpfner followed up: “I’m flying to Miami tomorrow. Shall we talk then? Wednesday would also work. And then we’ll see.” Musk replied, “Sure.”
Döpfner has precise ideas – and is usually sarcastic
A long message follows two days later. At half past nine, Döpfner asks: “Short phone call because of Twitter?” Twenty minutes later, he adds a kind of summary to the conversation: “Status Quo: Twitter is a public forum, but a problem is that Twitter does not adhere to the principles of free speech. So the core product is very good, but it serves not democracy. In addition, the current business model is a dead end, which is a good indication of the share price.”
The following are goals that Döpfner formulated for Twitter: “Twitter should become the backbone of free speech and an open marketplace for ideas that embodies the spirit of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The business model should be a combination of advertising financing and paid subscriptions .”
Mathias Döpfner outlines a few steps that he believes should follow. He writes: “Game plan: 1) ‘Solve Free Speech’ 1a) Eliminate censorship altogether and drastically reduce the Terms of Service to the following: Twitter users agree that spam is sent and users are scammed, that violence is promoted and that illegal pornography is shared.” A smiley face behind this part of the message suggests that it may have been meant to be sarcastic. The news is somewhat reminiscent of his news about Donald Trump’s re-election (read more here).
Musk answers surprisingly briefly – or not at all
The Axel Springer boss continues: “Twitter must become censorship-resistant, regardless of the circumstances and which government gets involved. Twitter should use a decentralized protocol for this. It’s not easy, but it’s a must. The programming interfaces have to be opened again , like when Twitter started,” he demands. “In addition, there should be a marketplace for algorithms that allow sensitive users to hide certain content. And the problem with the stagnant share price must be solved.”
Musk doesn’t answer. Only on April 14th is there contact between the two again. Döpfner refers to an interview between World boss Ulf Poschardt and the time. He writes: “Our editor-in-chief of the world just gave an interview why he left Twitter (Poschardt has been active again for a long time, editor’s note). He criticizes exactly the things that you most urgently want to change. I’m happy I look forward to talking about the future of Twitter when you’re ready. It’s so exciting!” Musk replies a little later: “Interesting.”
No other conversations between Elon Musk and Mathias Döpfner can be found in the court documents. One copy of the documents can be found on the server of the technology magazine “Heise”.
No official statement
Of the star asked directly to Dr. Mathias Döpfner, how this news was meant and what role he imagines for his publisher in a possible takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk. A company spokesman said: “We do not comment on private exchanges between two people.”