Elon Musk finally took over Twitter on October 27, after starting the acquisition of the social media platform earlier this year in April by becoming the largest shareholder of the company. But it looks like the business magnate’s power grab isn’t sitting right with a lot of companies as many of them have already pulled their advertisements from Twitter as they wish to see how the new owner of the social media platform will operate things.
As per the Wall Street Journal and CNBC, it’s the “content moderation concerns” that are making huge companies bring a sudden halt to their ads. And Elon Musk tweeted about the issue on November 4, as he pointed out the enormous dip in Twitter’s revenue, which he believes is a result of “activist groups pressurizing advertisers.”
And as Tesla’s CEO brought up his concerns, a famous American actor, Ron Perlman made a rather salty response to Elon Musk, claiming that the latter is repressing the freedom of speech. But The Capture star’s remark is only earning criticism as his tweet ended up backfiring on him instead.
Ron Perlman replies to Elon Musk’s tweet about free speech
An agitated Elon Musk went over to Twitter to address the current issues the social media platform is facing with big companies like Audi and General Mills Inc. putting a pause on their advertisements after the billionaire took over the site, as a result of which, Twitter’s revenue faced a rotten drop.
Musk claims that this is the doing of resentful activist groups that are coercing these advertisers to pull their ads, thereby ripping them off of their right to free speech. “Extremely messed up!” he noted in his tweet. “They’re trying to destroy free speech in America.”
In response to that, Hellboy actor, Ron Perlman, said that it was Musk who was “manipulating free speech” and not the other way around.
Just popped back on because I couldn’t let this one slide. No Elon, it is you that is manipulating free-speech because as the quintessential narcissist you fetishize that the entire universe must think your way. I’ll be back soon. Cuz your 5 minutes are ticking away. https://t.co/nYa7huxHgy
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) November 5, 2022
Sure, Perlman used a couple of fancy words and seems to have channeled his irritation while framing the response, but it looks like his tweet reached the wrong target audience as people are calling the 72-year-old actor out instead with his reply to Musk getting backfired.
Ron Perlman faces backlash for not speaking up when required
Way back in 2018, former American film producer, Harvey Weinstein was charged with rape and other sexual offenses, Perlman had remained silent at large with the excuse of professional restrictions. But The Name of the Rose star claimed to have peed on his hand before shaking it with Weinstein at a formal event, something he thought would showcase him in a light of dignity and bravery, but did nothing of the sort.
And as Perlman speaks up against Musk, fans are reminding the actor of the times when he didn’t take a concrete stance against issues that he clearly should have.
Remember when you did nothing about Weinstein because it would have caused professional harm for you to? Oh man but you peed on yourself over it!
You’ve never taken a risk in your life & it’s funny you pretend to be tough when you couldn’t even take a stance against rapists. pic.twitter.com/JJ1rYkh3Ag
— Disaffected Scientist (@DisaffectedSci) November 5, 2022
Just when Musk took over Twitter as the owner, Perlman tweeted saying “Welcome Elon, you little b**ch you. And Twitter out…” indicating that he would be leaving the social media site now that the founder of SpaceX held its reins. And as he apparently “popped back” to berate Musk yet again, people are laughing at him and calling him out for lying about leaving Twitter as a paltry way to grab attention.
Conveniently “popping back on.” You’re fooling no one lol.
— Susan (@OSUMeemz) November 5, 2022
Just popped back on… pic.twitter.com/n1lPXi3CTH
— WhenHowitzersFly (@BrockLennon) November 5, 2022
“Just popped back on” hahahaha
Why don’t you just tweet “Look at meeee”
— Tyler Wolfram (@Cry_Wolf15) November 5, 2022
People are also pointing out how Perlman’s attempt at rebuking Musk is utterly futile as the latter is not going to care about the actor’s opinions at all.
Those roles getting to you bud? You do know you're not actually Hellboy, right? "I'll be back soon. Cuz your 5 minutes are ticking away." 😂 He's not worried about you, Ron. There's not a thing you can do to that man that would make him sweat for a nanosecond. Listen to yourself.
— ⒷⒾⒼ ⒷⒺⓇⓉⒽⒶ (@RyanBlazik55) November 5, 2022
— JayJay McMaster, CD (@tantrumblue1) November 5, 2022
In an amusing plot twist, Perlman’s apparently clever response ended up landing him in a heap of trouble and sarcastic remarks instead, with fans practically pushing him to leave Twitter, claiming that nobody is interested in hearing him out anyways.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the actor digs his way out of this one.
Source: Twitter
