Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

‘I’m done with Twitter’: Whoopi Goldberg quits ‘messy’ platform over Elon Musk takeover

‘Some speech is not OK free speech,’ talk show host argued

Tom Murray
Tuesday 08 November 2022 05:34 GMT
Comments
Trevor Noah tells Elon Musk how to make money from Twitter

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Whoopi Goldberg has become the latest celebrity to abandon Twitter after Elon Musk’s takeover.

Musk’s tenure of the social media platform has been mired in controversy as the billionaire Tesla founder announced the introduction of an $8 monthly fee for those who wanted a “blue tick” verification badge.

On Monday’s (7 November) episode of her show The View, Goldberg said Twitter had become a “mess” since Musk took the helm.

“It’s been a little over a week since Elon Musk took over Twitter and this place is a mess,” she said.

“I’m getting off today because I just feel like it’s so messy, and I’m tired of now having certain kinds of attitudes blocked now getting back on. So I’m gonna get out, and if it settles down enough and I feel more comfortable maybe I’ll come back. But as of tonight, I’m done with Twitter.”

“People keep saying it’s free speech, but all speech is not free speech,” Goldberg added.

“Some speech is not OK free speech. So everybody has to agree on that, but if people keep saying ‘You hurt my free speech’ it’s going to be a problem. You know what? This is our problem. But it ain’t my problem today because I’m out.”

The outspoken talk show host cited Musk’s firing and reported rehiring of Twitter staff and the barring of comedian Kathy Griffin’s account as other reasons behind her decision to quit the platform.

Griffin was kicked off the social media site for using her profile to impersonate Musk. She has since returned via her dead mother’s account.

Goldberg joins celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, who yesterday announced she was deactivating her account as the platform had become “a cesspool of hate and bigotry”.

Brian Koppelman, Shonda Rhimes, Sara Bareilles, Toni Braxton, and more have all announced their departure from Twitter in recent days.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in