A number of House Republicans are calling on Twitter’s (NYSE: TWTR) board of directors to retain all records pertaining to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s offer to buy the social media giant, potentially preparing for a congressional probe in the event the right wing party gains majority later this year.
According to documents seen by CNBC, 18 Republicans sitting on the House Judiciary Committee requested Twitter Board Chairman Bret Taylor to save all communication from both personal and official accounts— including messages sent via encrypted software— connected to Twitter’s discussion over Musk’s offer to purchase the company. “This letter serves as a formal request that you preserve all records and materials relating to Musk’s offer to purchase Twitter, including Twitter’s consideration and response to this offer, and Twitter’s evaluation of its shareholder interests with respect to Musk’s offer,” wrote Republican representative Jim Jordan.
“You should construe this preservation notice as an instruction to take all reasonable steps to prevent the destruction or alteration, whether intentionally or negligently, of all documents, communications, and other information, including electronic information and metadata, that is or may be potentially responsive to this congressional inquiry,” he added in the letter.
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The latest request from the Republicans comes amid anticipation that the party may regain control of the House come the 2022 midterm elections, and subsequently launch an inquiry into Twitter, especially in the event the company’s Board decides not to accept Musk’s offer. The social media company has come under increased scrutiny— particularly among conservative lawmakers, who accused the platform of unfairly removing and moderating content based on ideological grounds. Twitter, in response, argued that its merely enforcing standards based on its community principals.
“Decisions regarding Twitter’s future governance will undoubtedly be consequential for public discourse in the United States and could give rise to renewed efforts to legislate in furtherance of preserving free expression online. Among other things, the Board’s reactions to Elon Musk’s offer to purchase Twitter, and outsider opposition to Musk’s role in Twitter’s future are concerning,” continued the letter addressed to Taylor.
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