Twitter owner Elon Musk on Friday said he had begun to reinstate some banned accounts on the social media platform, although former US president Donald Trump remains frozen out for now.
At the end of a difficult week for Mr Musk, he asked whether Twitter's most famous enfant terrible should be allowed back on.
"Reinstate former President Trump?" Mr Musk asked in a Twitter poll about the polarising politician who once had more than 88 million followers.
As of Friday evening, 56.5 per cent of respondents said Mr Trump, who was banned following the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol "due to the risk of further incitement of violence", should be allowed back on Twitter.
Mr Musk is at risk of losing his ranking as the world's richest person as Tesla bulls dump their stock in the electric car maker, while he struggles at the helm of Twitter, which he bought last month for $44 billion.
Mr Trump, who continues to attract a large following despite arguably costing the Republican Party election victories in 2018, 2020 and 2022, was famous for his controversial tweets.
Whether he would even choose to return to Twitter is an open question, as Mr Trump has created his own social media platform called Truth Social, where he remains active.
Meanwhile, comedienne Kathy Griffin, whom Mr Musk banned after she impersonated him, and psychologist Jordan Peterson have been allowed back on to the platform, as was conservative satirical website Babylon Bee.
Mr Musk said in late October that a council would be formed at Twitter to address content decisions and account reinstatements.
He said no decisions “will happen before that council convenes” but no details have been released, suggesting Mr Musk is making these decisions himself as Twitter staff continue to quit en masse.
“Trump decision has not yet been made,” Mr Musk tweeted on Friday.
Griffin was suspended for impersonating Mr Musk, while Dr Peterson was kicked off the platform for calling actor Elliot Page's gender transition a sin. The Babylon Bee account was suspended for posting hateful content.
This comes after another chaotic day at the social media platform, where hundreds of staff reportedly left after Mr Musk issued an ultimatum to work “hardcore” for a so-called Twitter 2.0 under his leadership.
Meanwhile, a visual artist in San Francisco projected unflattering descriptions of Mr Musk on to the company's headquarters, including “Space Karen” and “Bankruptcy Baby”.
In the US, a “Karen” is a derogatory name for a white woman who makes a scene at a shop or restaurant, demanding to “speak to the manager”.
Many Twitter users pointed out that Mr Musk is the manager and many other executives have quit or been sacked.
A look at former president Donald Trump's Truth Social feed - in pictures
-
On Truth Social, a social media platform founded by Donald Trump after he was banned from Twitter, conversation is often limited to sycophantic memes and conspiratorial memes. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Almost all of Mr Trump's followers are die-hard supporters and criticism of the former president is rare. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump's signature line on 'The Apprentice' was: 'You're Fired!' Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Many memes lionise the former president. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump hopes to get a second term in office in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
A not-true ReTruth: Trump-backed, election-denying candidate Kari Lake lost to Democrat Katie Dobbs in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump suggests voter fraud in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump attacks Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who may be well positioned to duel the former president in the 2024 White House race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Many Maga Republicans miss Mr Trump. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump attacks mail-in ballots that allow millions of Americans who are unable to vote on election day to participate. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Some of the Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, used American flags to attack police officers. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Supporters credit Mr Trump with not starting any new wars. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
How many moves in a game of chess? Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
The 'Greatest Of All Time'? That remains to be seen. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump was expected to announce a new run for the White House on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for Republicans' poor showing in the midterm elections. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump still attracts fierce loyalty from his 'Maga' supporters. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump suggests he would perform better than Ron DeSantis. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
A variation on the election-denying theme. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump has continued to make his baseless claims of election fraud in races he or his fellow Republicans lost. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump returns to his debunked claims of widespread election fraud. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Another teaser for his November 15 announcement. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump 'ReTruths' a message from a follower. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
The 'legend' will be 78 at the 2024 election, the same age Joe Biden was when he got elected. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump is expected to announce he will run again for president in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump teases his announcement on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Truth Social is only available in the US, Canada and Brazil. Reuters
