MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

What is Elon Musk's Plan B? From DESTRUCTION to NEW PLATFORM, here are the weirdest theories

Musk send social media into a meltdown after confirming he has a Plan B if the Twitter board refuses his $43 billion offer, but remains mum on details

Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter has the world pretty much waiting with bated breath. The social media giant is currently evaluating Musk's massive $43 billion offer to take Twitter private, but it seems the Tesla CEO isn't keen to wait. In a new interview with TED, Musk revealed he has a "Plan B" if the Twitter board declines his offer. But what that is, he refused to say.

Musk's offer has got Twitter employees, and even some users fearful of the "significant changes" he could introduce. Amongst them is the fact that banned users like Donald Trump could be allowed back, under Musk's vision for "free speech". Musk made the massive offer just days after becoming Twitter's largest shareholder and declining a seat on the board. That immediately set off bells that a full buyout was on the cards, and right on cue Musk announced his offer.

RELATED ARTICLES

Did Elon Musk spend $3bn to STOP Jack Sweeney from tracking his jets? Twitter thinks so

'Is Twitter dying?': Elon Musk calls out Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift for rarely tweeting

The world's richest man said the $43 billion was his "final" one earlier, but on April 14, 2022, said during a TED2022 Conference session in Vancouver that he had another plan up his sleeve. That threat appeared necessary given the strong opposition to Musk's takeover, which the board is still evaluating.

Why does Elon Musk need a Plan B?

Twitter's CEO Parag Agrawal told employees on April 14 that the board was debating Musk's offer, following a "rigorous process... in the best interest of our shareholders." However, he refused to comment on which way the board was leaning, or how soon they could announce their decision. The non-answer reportedly frustrated many of the staff and even Musk. 

The same day, The Information published a report claiming that the board viewed Musk's offer as "unwelcome". Reportedly, Twitter will fight Musk's hostile takeover by flooding the market with shares, hopefully driving the price up, and making it harder for Musk to acquire all the shares at once. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal also voiced his opposition to Musk's takeover. Bin Talal, who is a cousin to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, owns about 5% of the company and said he would "reject" any offer Musk makes. 

Musk has attempted to clap back at those reports, first telling bin Talal "How much of Twitter does the Kingdom own, directly & indirectly? What are the Kingdom's views on journalistic freedom of speech?" He then tweeted, "It would be utterly indefensible not to put this offer to a shareholder vote. They own the company, not the board of directors."

What is Musk's Plan B?

Given that things appear stacked against Musk right now, he wasted no time in mincing his words. Appearing in a session with TED curator Chris Anderson, he said, "I'm not sure that I will actually be able to acquire Twitter." He then teased, "there is a Plan B," but left the matter there. So naturally, the internet picked up the bastion and decided to decode what exactly Musk's alternative plan could be.

"We already know Elon Musk’s Plan B. He’ll destroy Twitter, one way or another," one user tweeted. Another said, "Take them down!! Might be a good plan B! @elonmusk." A third claimed, "Elon Musk confirms at TED Talk that there is a 'Plan B' if Twitter rejects his current offer to buy the company. Prediction: He will dump all of his shares, and create his own platform."

"What is @elonmusk plan B? Bankrupt Twitter and buy it for Pennys on the dollar? High drama. This is fun watching the commies squirm. Go Elon! They’re kissing their pants," one person tweeted. Another claimed, "Plan B. @elonmusk @joerogan will work together to make a new platform where you can have Freedom of Speech. You think I’m playing? Believe me, I know some ppl. Just remember this Tweet." One person asked, "Is “Plan B” leaving Twitter?"

Whatever Plan B actually is, only time will tell. With the whole world watching, expect Twitter's board to make an announcement soon.