Elon Musk spars with Saudi Prince over Twitter offer, asks what are Kingdom’s views on journalistic freedom?

New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Friday took a jab at Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a major Twitter investor who rejected Musk`s hostile offer to acquire 100 per cent of the micro-blogging platform for $43 billion.

Questioning Saudi Arabia's own media laws, Musk tweeted: "Just two questions, if I may. How much of Twitter does the Kingdom own, directly & indirectly? What are the Kingdom`s views on journalistic freedom of speech?"

Musk reacted after the Saudi Prince rejected the Tesla CEO`s cash offer of $54.20 per Twitter share.

"I don`t believe that the proposed offer by @elonmusk ($54.20) comes close to the intrinsic value of (Twitter) given its growth prospects. Being one of the largest & long-term shareholders of Twitter, @Kingdom_KHC & I reject this offer," the prince tweeted.

I don't believe that the proposed offer by @elonmusk ($54.20) comes close to the intrinsic value of @Twitter given its growth prospects.

Being one of the largest & long-term shareholders of Twitter, @Kingdom_KHC & I reject this offer.https://t.co/Jty05oJUTk pic.twitter.com/XpNHUAL6UX

— الوليد بن طلال (@Alwaleed_Talal) April 14, 2022

Alwaleed, who runs the Kingdom Holding Company and is a nephew of Saudi Arabia`s King Salman, said he was one of the oldest and largest shareholders in Twitter, reports Middle East Eye.

In 2015, he and his company owned a 5.2 per cent stake in the social media platform.

Musk on Friday started a new poll, with a tagline that "taking Twitter private at $54.20 should be up to shareholders, not the board. Also Read: Garena Free Fire Max Redeem Codes for today, April 15: Check how to redeem latest rewards

Taking Twitter private at $54.20 should be up to shareholders, not the board — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 14, 2022

"Will endeavour to keep as many shareholders in privatised Twitter as allowed by law," he tweeted. Also Read: Elon Musk could visit India soon: Will Tesla, Starlink get a green signal?

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