Elon Musk Says He'll Create 'Alternative' Smartphone If Apple, Google Battles Go Awry

Mulling the hypothetical removal of Twitter from app stores, the CEO wrote that he would pursue the plan as a last resort.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Elon Musk said Friday he’d create an “alternative” smartphone if Apple and Google remove Twitter, which he bought for $44 billion last month, from their app stores.

“I certainly hope it does not come to that, but, yes, if there is no other choice, I will make an alternative phone,” the billionaire tweeted in response to a suggestion from right-wing personality Liz Wheeler.

Whether Musk actually follows through on his promise depends on how Twitter’s relationship with Apple and Google develops in the coming weeks and months.

The CEO’s staunch commitment to “free speech” on his platform (which has led to the reinstatement of controversial accounts, such as that of former President Donald Trump) in a bid to boost revenue has sparked speculation that Twitter could be pulled from app stores. And Musk recently complained about fees charged by the tech giants for digital sales.

In a separate tweet, Wheeler asked if people would “switch to a tELONphone” and requested submissions for potential name ideas. With almost 89,000 votes cast by early Saturday, some 53% of respondents said they would buy a Musk-created phone. Suggested names included the “ePhone,” the “Trolophone” and “SpacePhone.”

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot