Twitter shutting down, live online updates: Trump reinstated to Twitter, Elon Musk, Donald Trump poll, offices closed

TECHNOLOGY

What is a Mastodon server? How to pick the best one for you

Fledgling social media platform Mastodon has enjoyed a sharp uptick in users in the past few weeks. Many Twitter users have started to look for an alternative site and Mastodon offers many of the same features as Twitter, but with very different structure.

Mastodon makes use of open source decentralised technology which allows users to create their own servers, which can function as independent sites. 

Here's how to pick you Mastodon server...

What will Elon Musk do next with Twitter?

Since taking over the company less than a month ago, Elon Musk has had no shortage of big decisions to make. He has cut thousands of workers from the San Francisco HQ, implemented a controversial paid-for verification option and reinstated the account of formerly suspended Donald Trump. 

So what's next on the agenda for the richest man in the world?

Optimism from Twitter owner

Elon Musk's overhaul of Twitter will continue this week as he looks to rebuild the staff after sanctioning widespread cuts and renundancies last week. Musk, who told employees to commit to a tough new work routine or leave, is clearly optimistic about the company's future, as this recent tweet shows. 

In an email to staff last week, however, Musk wrote: "We will need to be extremely hardcore. This will mean working long hours at high intensity."

An interesting definition of fun, from the world's richest man. 

Speaking of bad jokes, Elon Musk says Trump can get back on Twitter.

Scientists and at least one astronaut threaten to leave Twitter in protest

Since Elon Musk has taken the helm at Twitter, the social media platform has been experiencing a bit of drama. From a mass layoff that was followed by a mass exodus to controversial banned accounts being reinstated there are fears that Twitter 2.0 is going to fail. 

Musk's drive to amplify "free speech" on the platform used by around a quarter billion people has also raised concerns that hate speech and misinformation will run rampant. This has led to multiple users migrating to other social media sites beyond political commentators or Twitter influencers.

Numerous scientists and at least one astronaut have said that they will head for the door too. This has been a boon for smaller platforms like Mastodon which saw daily user spike to over 1 million.

More firings could be in store at Twitter as platform struggles to cope

Twitter's offices have been closed to employees since late Thursday the day Musk had set as a dealine for his ultimatum for the remaining workforce to either accept “long hours at high intensity” or leave.

Far more chose to pack their things than anticipated forcing Musk to roll back his return-to-office mandate. If a worker's manager asserts that they are making “an excellent contribution” they will be able to continue working from home. Many of the engineers who have left are responsible for fixing bugs and preventing service outages. There are fears that those departures will spell trouble for Twitter as it struggles to handle increased traffic following the turmoil at the company on top of the World Cup.

Even so, Bloomberg reports that Musk is considering further layoffs at the social media platform specifically in the sales and partnership groups. The company was losing money prior to the billionaire's take over of Twitter to the tune of $4 million per day. That number may be considerably higher now as advertisers abandon the platform and Musk is forced to pay sizeable severance packages to those he has already sacked.

Despite Musk's repeal of ban Trump not returning to Twitter, yet...

Elon Musk has reinstated the accounts of several high-profile individuals who were banned from Twitter, including Donald Trump. However, the former president, who was removed from the social media platform early 2021, in the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol by his supporters which resulted in five deaths, has said that he's not planning on returning to Twitter. 

"I don't see any reason for it," Trump said. Instead he intends to stick with his new platform Truth Social.

Brain-drain at Twitter continues with another executive quitting

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, the social media platform has seen its workforce decimated. First the new owner axed the top management followed by around half the 7,500 workforce. Then last week he gave the remaining workers an ultimatum “long hours at high intensity” or leave.

That prompted a mass exodus and Musk locked employees out of the offices over the weekend. Doors are expected to reopen on Monday but a number of high-level executives will not be returning. This is sparking worries that, without their institutional knowledge of how Twitter works, the platform could fail.

Not all controversial Twitter accounts restored, Musk keeps ban on Alex Jones

As Elon Musk begins to reinstated banned Twitter accounts of high-profile individuals like Donald Trump and Kanye West, not every is welcome back on the platform. Alex Jones, despite calls from his supporters, will stay banned. 

Musk stated that he "had no mercy" for people who "would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame." The Info Wars talk show conspiracy theorist had repeatedly claimed that the mass shooting of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook school was a hoax. He has since been ordered to pay to pay $1.44bn in damages.

TECHNOLOGY

Donald Trump and Kanye West: Elon Musk unblocks controversial Twitter accounts

Elon Musk is on a profitability drive at Twitter, trying to boost the company’s bottom line by ensuring that eyes around the world are glued to the platform. Perhaps the most obvious example came earlier this week when he posted a poll on his Twitter account asking if former President Donald Trump should have his account reinstated.

In a narrow victory for the former president, Musk has reinstated his and a number of other high-profile accounts that were previously suspended.

Trump's tweets are visible on Twitter again

After nearly two years without a Twitter presence, former President Trump's account has been reinstated. New company owner Elon Mush held a 24-hour vote on Friday and the 15 million accounts that voted narrowly decided to allow Trump to return. 

Trump has not yet posted since being readmitted to the site, but his tweets, under the handle @realDonaldTrump, are available once again. This was his final post back in January 2022...

Kanye West back on Twitter

For most of his public life, Elon Musk has been led by the principle that 'any publicity is good publicity,' and he's bringing that cheery outlook to Twitter. Following the return of @realDonaldTrump, Kanye West's recently suspended Twitter account is also back. 

Ye, who's Twitter and Instagram accounts were blocked due to anti-semitic posts, tested his return with this tweet just minutes ago. 

TECHNOLOGY

What are the alternatives to Twitter if Elon Musk’s company shuts down?

Worried about the future of Twitter? Looking for an alternative online platform in case the unthinkable should happen?

Well you're not alone, rival social networking siteshave seen a significant uptick in usership in recent weeks as people look to branch out from the Musk-owned platform. Mastodon, a fledging company build on a decentralised network, has tripled its number of users since Musk bought Twitter and the trend could well continue...

US NEWS

What is Mastodon? Decentralised social media site offers a choice of servers

The chaos of recent weeks on Twitter and concerns about Elon Musk's content moderation policies have created a surge in interest for a small decentralised social network called Mastodon.

First unveiled in 2016, Mastodon has grown in recent weeks and is stoically committed to remaining free to use and free of ads. Visually, Mastodon mimics the appearance of Twitter with a timeline comprised of brief updates presented in chronological order. However unlike Twitter, users subscribe to different servers overseen by different groups and individuals. 

How does Mastodon work?

Welcome to AS USA

Good morning and welcome to AS USA, we'll be keeping you up to date on the ongoing situation at Twitter as workers resign en masse and Elon Musk reinstates Donald Trump, Kayne West and other banned accounts to the platform.