Tesla CEO Compares Meta Founder to King Louis XIV and Promises to Avoid Centralized Power Structure
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has criticized Mark Zuckerberg for holding too much power over social media platforms, particularly through his control of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Musk’s remarks were made at a TED conference in Vancouver, where he pointed out Zuckerberg’s extensive influence over public discourse.
Musk, who is in the process of attempting to purchase Twitter for over $40 billion, drew a comparison to King Louis XIV, famously known as the “Sun King” for his absolute control. Musk remarked that Zuckerberg’s shareholding structure would allow him to maintain a similar level of dominance, likening it to the monarch’s centralized rule. He stated that such a scenario would not occur under his potential ownership of Twitter.
With his own bid to acquire Twitter, Musk has emphasized a different approach: wanting to maximize the number of shareholders, which contrasts sharply with Zuckerberg’s control over Meta. Musk also expressed intentions to make Twitter’s algorithm open-source and transparent, focusing on free speech over censorship. He envisions Twitter as a more inclusive space for open dialogue.
