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Since the acquisition of Twitter (now X) by Elon Musk for the colossal sum of $44 billion, the platform has been going through an unprecedented financial and social crisis. A recently leaked internal email shows Musk himself admitting as much: “Our user growth is stagnant, revenue is lackluster, and we’re barely breaking even,” he admits. This statement, coming directly from Musk, highlights the company’s current struggles.
In addition to this stagnation, X is still burdened by massive debt. The banks that financed the purchase are facing exorbitant interest payments, making this transaction one of the most disastrous in the sector, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, which validated the authenticity of the recently leaked internal email. . This financial burden, illustrated by a debt estimated at several billion dollars, seriously compromises the company’s ability to recover.
Controversial leadership and its repercussions
Musk’s unpredictable management, characterized by inconsistent behavior and controversial statements, caused the withdrawal of many advertisers, depriving X of part of its main source of income.
Bruce Daisley, Twitter’s former director of European operations, says diversifying revenue streams beyond advertising is “strategically a good idea” but has been poorly implemented. “ The changes it made, including the introduction of paid verification, contributed to decreasing the quality of the platform. Add to that arbitrary decisions, and advertisers said, ‘We don’t want to be associated with this.’ “, he explains to the Guardian.
Faced with this situation, rival platforms like Meta’s Threads and Bluesky have emerged, attracting users disenchanted with x.
-Musk’s acquisition of X has exacerbated social and political divisions. According to a study published by Pew Research, Republican users now view the platform favorably, while Democrats are moving away from it. This growing polarization raises concerns about the influence of the social network on public debate.
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The uncertain future of a changing platform
Experts agree that Musk’s acquisition of X is one of the most debated business decisions in recent years. “ Musk’s takeover of Twitter could be one of the most talked-about business decisions of our time », Says an analyst in a Brookings article. Fears persist that deregulation could encourage misinformation and weaken standards of public discourse.
As 2025 dawns, X finds himself at a crossroads, torn between Musk’s outsized ambitions and the realities of an unforgiving market. If the platform manages to overcome its financial and social challenges, it could reinvent itself as a space for renewed dialogue. However, the question remains: will Musk be able to transform this vision into reality without losing the soul of what has long made Twitter a unique place for exchanges? Only a careful look at his next decisions can enlighten us on the destiny of this digital icon.
