“Elon Musk launches hostile takeover bid for Twitter”

WaPo:

Elon Musk has launched a $43 billion hostile takeover bid for Twitter, the social network that the eccentric billionaire behind Tesla uses as a hobby to connect with his 81 million followers — saying he believes the platform is essential to the functioning of democracy.

At a TED conference Thursday, Musk outlined his plan to take Twitter private, saying he sees the platform as a way to foster conversation and potentially even prevent international conflicts. But he acknowledged if he took ownership he would be blamed for problems, and even before that his bid could fail.

“My strong intuitive sense is that having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization,” he said. “I don’t care about the economics at all.”

The offer to take the company private in a securities filing dated Wednesday for $54.20 a share marks a major escalation in a weeks-long battle by Musk to gain influence at the company, following his acquiring a more than 9 percent stake and flirting with a seat on the board. In the filing, he called it a “best and final offer.” If it is not accepted, he added, “I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder.”…

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