Jordan Peterson has said he’d ‘rather die’ than remove the post
Elon Musk has said Twitter went “too far” in suspending Jordan Peterson‘s account after the outspoken author had his privileges paused over a tweet he sent about Elliot Page.
Twitter told the author and psychologist that he had breached its hateful conduct policy with a tweet that referred to Page’s former name and referenced him having undergone top surgery. It removed his access to a lot of Twitter features on June 28.
The tweet was in response to a New York Post article in which the Umbrella Academy’s star said he is proud to introduce a trans character to the new Netflix show he stars in.
Peterson later told the National Post that he would “rather die” than delete the tweet and would not apologise.
Musk, who is in the process of buying the social media platform, was dragged into the debate Tuesday when he was asked for his opinion on the decision
“Yeah, they’re going way too far in squashing dissenting opinions,” Musk replied after he was asked about Peterson being “banned from the bird app.”
Yeah, they’re going way too far in squashing dissenting opinions
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2022
The billionaire entered the debate after he posted a meme on Independence Day which suggested Twitter inserts information warnings contrary to what people are saying.
In a mocked-up tweet by Paul Revere, his famous quote “The British are coming,” is followed by a Twitter notice that says, “Learn how British taxes are beneficial for society.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2022
Musk was mentioned a number of times by those close to Peterson after news of his suspension leaked online, including by Peterson’s daughter, Mikhaila.
Both Mikhaila and conservative commentator Dave Rubin called on Musk, as the potential buyer of Twitter, to change the platform’s rules when he takes over. Rubin has also since been suspended from Twitter, Newsweek noted.
Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro began discussing Page and the topic of trans people and ‘deadnaming’ after Page’s former name started trending online.
A Twitter spokesperson told Buzzfeed that it was a mistake, and they quickly removed it.
“None must mention the unspeakable name,” Shapiro wrote in response, “Those who do shall be banished to the outer realms.”
Shapiro broke the news that Rubin had suffered the same fate as Peterson.
Peterson announced he was quitting Twitter in May after receiving a torrent of abuse after a controversial tweet that shamed that shamed plus-size model Yumi Nu’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.
“Sorry. Not beautiful,” he tweeted. “And no amount of authoritarian tolerance is going to change that.”
Related Links:
- Jordan Peterson suspended from Twitter over Elliot Page comment – says he won’t apologise
- Fans are loving Netflix’s Elliot Page edit in first two seasons of Umbrella Academy
- Elliot Page says he’s known he was a boy since he was a toddler
- Elliot Page will to continue to play Vanya in The Umbrella Academy
