Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Lauren Boebert's Tweet To Elon Musk Claiming The Left Only Wants 'Censorship' Backfired Instantly

Lauren Boebert's Tweet To Elon Musk Claiming The Left Only Wants 'Censorship' Backfired Instantly
Rod Lamkey/AFP via Getty Images; Britta Pedersen/Getty Images

Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was criticized after she claimed "leftists" opposed to billionaire Elon Musk's recent move to buy Twitter only want "censorship."

While Musk's buyout was cheered by conservatives, it sparked concern from others—especially civil rights groups—who said that having one person have so much centralized power over political discourse online poses a significant threat to democracy.


Musk batted away these criticisms, saying his opponents are experiencing an "extreme antibody reaction" because they "fear free speech."

And Boebert agreed, claiming Musk's opponents not only want to censor him but that "Their ideas don't hold up in debate."

Musk has continued to allege Twitter's algorithms are biased and conservatives have applauded his buyout as a win for free speech, which Boebert has often claimed is threatened on the social media platform, thereby constituting a First Amendment violation.

However, these claims do not hold up under scrutiny.

The First Amendment applies only to governmental action and does not apply to behavior by private employers, private companies, or private, non-government individuals unless they worked in concert with the government.

Ironically, Boebert's Twitter activities have occasionally violated the First Amendment given she has previously blocked her constituents and was sued because she cannot legally block anyone who finds any of her tweets objectionable.

In 2019, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled online pages used by public figures to connect with their constituents are public forums, which means an official cannot block people from them because of the opinions they hold.

Boebert's tweet garnered significant attention.

Her claims were swiftly criticized by those who pointed out Republicans have recently ramped up a campaign to ban books and limit what subjects teachers can teach in their classrooms.


Earlier this week, the Twitter board of directors agreed to a $44 billion buyout by Musk, potentially making it one of the biggest deals to turn a company private.

Twitter previously acknowledged it had received Musk's bid, which comes out to $54.20 a share. The company confirmed in a press release its board of directors received the offer and would "carefully review the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and all Twitter stockholders."

Rumors of a buyout began to circulate earlier this month after Musk disclosed a 9.2 percent stake in Twitter made him the company's largest shareholder. Prominent conservatives appeared emboldened by the news, particularly because Musk had questioned Twitter's content moderation rules in the days before his disclosure.

At the time, there was significant speculation Musk would join Twitter's board of directors, a move that would potentially broaden his influence over the platform and its policies.

Republicans, spurred by former President Donald Trump, have often accused Twitter of limiting prominent conservative voices on its platform.

In 2018, while still in office, Trump claimed Twitter was "SHADOW BANNING prominent Republicans" in response to a news story that alleged accounts owned by Republicans were showing up in a general search of the website but not automatically populating when typing their names in the drop-down bar.

Twitter later issued a response, attributing the issue to a platform bug.

More from People/lauren-boebert

Trey Parker and Matt Stone; screenshot of CGI Donald Trump
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Paramount+; Comedy Central

'South Park' Creators Reveal How They Got Uncensored NSFW Joke About Trump On Air

While speaking at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone revealed how they were able to expose MAGA Republican President Donald Trump's alleged micropenis on the season 27 premiere of their Comedy Central cartoon.

The panel took place the day after the premiere aired.

Keep ReadingShow less
RobertAnthony Cruz on CNN; RobertAnthony Cruz in Instagram statement
@eScarry/Twitter (X); @coach.rac/Instagram; @eScarry/Twitter (X)

Savannah Bananas Player Explains What Happened After Faceplanting Hard While Doing Backflip On CNN

When it comes to entertaining audiences, the Savannah Bananas are committed to the bit.

But usually, when one of the players plans to do a stunt, even if it's The Sandlot's Patrick Renna bunting the ball into center field, they follow through without a hitch.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chuck E. Cheese Mascot Arrested In Florida For Credit Card Fraud—And Here Come The Jokes
@Phil_Lewis_/X; @nicksortor/X

Chuck E. Cheese Mascot Arrested In Florida For Credit Card Fraud—And Here Come The Jokes

Not everyone is a fan of mascot characters.

While some people can't wait to run up to a mascot, give them a hug, pose for a picture, and maybe nab an autograph, some are utterly terrified by the sight of them.

Keep ReadingShow less
Destiny's Child at Beyoncé's Final 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Stop
@beyonceaccess/Twitter (X)

Destiny's Child Reunited For Beyoncé's Final Cowboy Carter Tour Stop—And Fans Are Not OK

Beyoncé has been touring all across the country with her Cowboy Carter Tour, and there have been many surprise appearances and musical guests, including Miley Cyrus and Jay-Z.

But for her final stop on the Cowboy Carter Tour, Beyoncé wanted to do something extra special: offer a reminder of where she's been and a hint of what's to come in her next chapter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Murphy (left) Faces Backlash from Jack Schlossberg (right) Over JFK Jr. Series
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images; Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Ryan Murphy dismisses JFK Jr. backlash

Controversial producer and showrunner Ryan Murphy has landed in a real-life feud with Jack Schlossberg—grandson of President John F. Kennedy—after Schlossberg publicly criticized Murphy’s upcoming anthology series dramatizing the whirlwind, tabloid-fueled romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

First announced in August 2021, American Love Story (also referred to as Love Story) is part of Murphy’s expanding slate of provocative anthology series, dramatizing sensational American cultural and historical moments. This installment stars Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy and Paul Kelly as JFK Jr.

Keep ReadingShow less