This editor’s already done several posts today on the media panic over Twitter (it’s an $8 tax on journalism!) and if it’s up to the job of “monitoring” the U.S. election next week after Elon Musk slashed the workforce … the week before the election! NBC News “dystopia beat” reporter, Ben Collins, doesn’t know how to reassure his host that we can trust Twitter to be “the viable source we have looked to for so long” for vital election news. Musk is “out of his depth” and those Twitter employees left say the business is a house of cards ready to tumble. “Looked to for so long?” We guess they need another reminder of the New York Post being locked out before the 2020 election over its Hunter Biden story.
We realize that Twitter is where all of the media types went after “JournOlist” was exposed and it’s become their platform for propping up each other’s egos. But we’ve held elections without Twitter before — why is NBC News, a national broadcast network, saying it relies on Twitter for its election updates? Listen, stick with us here at Twitchy on election night; we’ll have results coming in real time courtesy of Decision Desk HQ.
As usual, NBC News brought in its chief alarmist:
Here's what's going on at Twitter right now: It's a nightmare.
Employees are sounding the alarm about how it could make getting reliable information on this site during Tuesday's elections impossible.pic.twitter.com/OChS8ZYK8k
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) November 4, 2022
We’ll be tuning into MSNBC on election night to drink in all the liberal tears.
Once again, without a moderation staff, how?
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) November 4, 2022
— EnergyCynic (@EnergyCynic) November 4, 2022
Twitter still has a moderation staff, according to the person in charge of the moderation staff. They’re even moderating White House lies now!
This IS the vaguest reporting I’ve heard. The company was bought out by one of the greatest businessmen of our time. He built @Tesla & @Spacex. Those are difficult, massive accomplishments. @Twitter will be fine. Sympathize all you want w/ tweeps it’s not changing anything. Next.
— Chris Hantis (@ChrisHantis) November 5, 2022
Oh give me a break. Nothing but hyperbolic projection
— Andrea Howe (@andreavhowe) November 4, 2022
73 years old. Not once, have I ever relied on Twitter for reliable information.
— Aviator #46 (@Mr_Zues_1) November 4, 2022
So is Collins saying a bunch of people will sign up for Twitter Blue on Monday, get “verified” blue checks, and then call themselves secretaries of state or something to spread a bunch of disinformation?
So on Monday, I could put out $8.00 and be anyone I want? Count me in!
But who do I want to be?
So many options!— Ipsuel_2.0 🇺🇦 🌻 (@Ipsuel) November 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/GeordieStory/status/1588574266362310661
If people are going to Twitter for "reliable information" then we're screwed anyway.
— IllinoisAreaMan (@IllinoisAreaMan) November 4, 2022
🚨 Twittersphere: “Listen to your friend Ben Collins, he's a cool dude. He's trying to help you out.” pic.twitter.com/PWSmSPBia5
— Drax The Geeky Pundit (Tweets Die In Darkness) (@DraxGeekyPundit) November 4, 2022
Ben pay $8 to @elonmusk
— Geese Out There (@geeseoutthere) November 5, 2022
Reliable information?
On Twitter??
I think what you're smoking is still illegal in many states.
— Can of Spam (@iDoLikeSpam) November 4, 2022
Ok Jan…..LOL MSNBC can go fly a kite and take a long walk off a short pier.
— Vapin Gamers (@VapinGamers) November 4, 2022
Well they sure as hell can't get reliable information from your account
— Devin M. Bilski (@DevinMBilski) November 4, 2022
You know there’s this thing called local news…
— JayJay McMaster, CD (@tantrumblue1) November 5, 2022
Collins’ followers, who all count on him for unbiased takes, all say Musk firing half the staff the week before the midterms was the intention all along, even though he announced his bid to buy it was months ago and was held up in court until just now.
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Related:
NBC News’ Ben Collins barely holds it together explaining how Elon Musk will destroy our democracy https://t.co/ttoOTeB6YB
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 31, 2022
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