Musk calls Twitter banning Trump 'grave mistake' but is 'fine' with him not returning

Twitter CEO Elon Musk said Friday it was important for the social media giant to correct the “grave mistake” of banning former President Donald Trump, even if he does not return to tweeting.

The tech billionaire unbanned the 45th President of the United States last week after holding a poll asking whether his account should be restored. The majority of 15 million users who voted said that Trump should be allowed back on the platform.

However, Trump has long declared he would not return to Twitter even if unbanned, sticking to his own Truth Social platform.

On Friday, one of Musk’s followers tweeted, “It's been a week since Elon Musk brought Trump back... and without him even tweeting once... The left can't handle it,” linking an article he wrote for American Greatness arguing the same point.

Despite lighthearted jabs at Trump for not returning, Musk personally responded, “I’m fine with Trump not tweeting. The important thing is that Twitter correct a grave mistake in banning his account, despite no violation of the law or terms of service.”

“Deplatforming a sitting President undermined public trust in Twitter for half of America,” he added.

I’m fine with Trump not tweeting. The important thing is that Twitter correct a grave mistake in banning his account, despite no violation of the law or terms of service.

Deplatforming a sitting President undermined public trust in Twitter for half of America.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2022

World leaders, like Germany’s then-Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, spoke out against Trump’s Twitter ban at the time.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO headed off accusations of bias by stating he was a “significant supporter” of the Obama administration and voted for Biden over Trump, “albeit reluctantly.”

“But freedom of speech is the bedrock of a strong democracy and must take precedence,” Musk said in the tweet thread. “My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist. I had hoped that would the case for the Biden administration but have been disappointed so far.”

Another user piped in to ask Musk if he would support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Yes,” Musk replied, before adding in another tweet that “Twitter as a platform must be fair to all.”

Trump announced last week that he would be running again for the White House. But polls have indicated DeSantis, widely considered his top rival, is beginning to overtake him as the party’s standard bearer.