The reported firings follow news that Mr Musk planned to eliminate nearly 75 per cent of Twitter’s staff in an effort to pay down the company’s debt. Mr Musk later dismissed those reports, telling employees he would not cut such a large portion of the staff.
Mr Musk paid a visit to the company’s San Francisco headquarters on Wednesday, carrying a sink and visiting with staff. He has said he is purchasing the company “to try to help humanity”. Mr Musk became embroiled in a row with the company over the number of spam accounts on its platform, leading him to announce in July he was walking away from the transaction.
Despite internal confusion and low morale tied to fears of lay-offs or a dismantling of the company’s culture and operations, Twitter leaders this week have at least outwardly welcomed his arrival and messaging. Mr Musk has already signalled that he will reverse a permanent ban on Donald Trump, reflecting his stance as a self-confessed “free speech absolutist”.