Musk Reinstates Mike Lindell’s Twitter Account After Suspending Journalists—Here’s Who Else He’s Brought Back

After banning journalists and other accounts that were critical of him, Musk reinstated the account of My Pillow owner and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell on the social media platform.

I'm back. Lindell thanked Musk and said that voting machines should be turned into prison bars.

Last year, he was banned from social media for spreading baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, and again for creating a new account to skirt the ban.

Since taking over the platform in October, Musk has brought back the accounts of controversial figures.

Last month, he brought back far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was banned from her personal account for spreading misinformation on Covid-19.

Andrew Tate was reinstated by Musk after he said victims of rape and sexual harassment should bear responsibility for the assaults.

After it was banned for antisemitic posts last month, Musk briefly brought back the account of the rapper, but he then suspended it after he posted a picture of a swastika.

He also restored an account belonging to Trump, who was suspended after the January 6 riots, but the former president hasn't commented on his account since.

In a series of actions last month, which Musk dubbed "Freedom Friday," Musk also reinstated the accounts of Canadian psychologist JordanPeterson, who was banned for anti-trans hate speech, as well as the site Babylon Bee.

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The account that Musk suspended for posting information on his private jet was an example of the type of accounts that can stay on the platform. The accounts of journalists and an account that prompted people to join Mastodon were suspended by him. European Union officials said they could impose sanctions on Musk.

Key Background

Fearing that advertisers would leave the platform as he completed his purchase, Musk pledged not to make it a free-for-all hellscape. Hate speech has increased since he took over, while several high-profile accounts have left. The European Union threatened to impose a ban on the platform if Musk didn't change his moderation policies. According to Musk, hate speech on the platform has declined by one third from pre-spike levels.

Musk acknowledges trying to back out of the deal, but says nothing has worked.

The account that was being used to track the private jet of Musk has been suspended.