House Republicans ask Twitter board to retain records tied to Musk offer

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) – A gaggle of 18 U.S. Home Republicans despatched Twitter (TWTR.N) board members a letter on Friday asking them to protect all information and supplies referring to Tesla Chief Government Elon Musk’s supply to buy Twitter, laying the groundwork for a possible investigation.

“As Congress continues to look at Massive Tech and learn how to finest defend People’ free speech rights, this letter serves as a proper request that you simply protect all information and supplies referring to Musk’s supply to buy Twitter, together with Twitter’s consideration and response to this supply, and Twitter’s analysis of its shareholder pursuits with respect to Musk’s supply,” stated the letter signed by the highest Republican on the Home Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, and others on the committee.

The order to avoid wasting information strongly suggests Jordan plans to probe Twitter if the Musk supply is rejected and Republicans take again the Home in midterm elections in November. The letter didn’t point out that an investigation was forthcoming.

Jordan stated on Fox Enterprise just lately that he was hopeful that Musk would reach shopping for Twitter as a result of social media platforms are “the general public sq. in the present day.”

Jordan and different Republicans have been important of Twitter for banning former President Donald Trump and different notable conservatives.

Twitter banned Trump’s account as a result of danger of additional incitement of violence after the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

The letter, which was additionally signed by prime Republicans on Judiciary subcommittees, stated the Twitter board’s “reactions to Elon Musk’s supply to buy Twitter, and outsider opposition to Musk’s position in Twitter’s future are regarding.”

Musk on Thursday stated he has lined up $46.5 billion in debt and fairness financing to purchase Twitter and is contemplating taking his supply on to shareholders, in response to a submitting with U.S. regulators.

Twitter has not responded to his supply and adopted a “poison tablet” to thwart him. Twitter declined touch upon the letter on Friday.

Reporting by David Shepardson and Diane Bartz; Modifying by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Porter

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