Elon takes over Twitter

On October 26, 2022, Elon Musk made headlines when he walked into Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, marking the beginning of a new era for the social media company. Carrying a porcelain sink—symbolically captioned “Let that sink in” on his Twitter account—the moment captured Musk’s signature blend of humor and theatrics, while signaling the seriousness of the transition.

The event came after months of back-and-forth negotiations, legal battles, and public speculation following Musk’s $44 billion offer to buy Twitter. Employees at the company were met with uncertainty and tension as the world’s richest man and a vocal critic of Twitter’s content moderation policies officially took control. That day, he met with several top executives, engineers, and staff, reportedly discussing his vision for the platform, including sweeping changes to content policies, product strategy, and business operations.

Musk's entry symbolized a corporate culture shift. Within days, several high-level executives, including the CEO, CFO, and legal head, were fired. His immediate priorities included overhauling Twitter Blue, the platform’s subscription service, and introducing a stronger focus on free speech—often interpreted through Musk’s lens of minimal moderation.

Outside the building, reporters and onlookers gathered, snapping photos and trying to make sense of what Musk’s leadership would mean for Twitter’s future. Inside, employees braced for rapid change, unsure of their job security or how their roles would evolve.

The moment Musk walked in with a sink became an instant meme—but also a metaphor for disruption. It was the beginning of a chaotic and transformative period for Twitter, marked by fast-paced changes, mass layoffs, and a redefinition of what the platform could become under Musk’s ownership.