Senator Chris Murphy demanded a probe into Twitter since a Saudi Arabian corporation with ties to the country’s ruling household has become the company’s second-largest investor.
BREAKING: Chris Murphy (D), a US senator from Connecticut, requests Committee on Foreign Investment to conduct an investigation into the national security implications of Saudi Arabia's stake in Elon Musk-owned Twitter
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 31, 2022
According to a statement made by the royal, Kingdom Holdings and the venture capital office of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal control almost 35 million shares of Twitter, notwithstanding Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media network.
Murphy urged the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to investigate Saudi Arabia’s possible role as new ownership modifies the website, despite Musk’s claim that he acquired the company to promote free expression and oppose political divisiveness.
Announced On Twitter
The legislator announced on Twitter that he is urging the Committee on Foreign Investment — which analyzes foreign purchases of U.S. corporations — to investigate the national security ramifications of Saudi Arabia’s takeover of Twitter.
The Saudis, who have an apparent interest in limiting political expression and influencing American politics, have become the second-largest shareholder of a prominent social media site, he noted.
Today I am requesting the Committee on Foreign Investment — which reviews acquisitions of U.S. businesses by foreign buyers — to conduct an investigation into the national security implications of Saudi Arabia's purchase of Twitter.https://t.co/IDwnKGaxt7
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 31, 2022
Murphy highlighted that two of the most influential American social media companies, TikTok and Twitter, will be “in full or in part” owned by China and Saudi Arabia.
He stated there is an obvious national security concern and CFIUS should conduct an investigation – this is a worrying development that we do not have to condone.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presides over the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, which holds a 16.9% interest in Kingdom Holding Company.
Leftists expressed mistrust of Musk and his management of the social media network. The world’s wealthiest man restarted efforts to acquire Twitter earlier in the month after battling the corporation in court on his attempt to rescind a previous bid.
This is a move he claimed was motivated by his belief that management was minimizing the number of false profiles on the site.
He immediately removed CEO Parag Agrawal, financial officer Ned Segal, and regulatory matters and policy head Vijaya Gadde.
The latter had a hand in banning former President Trump from the site and burying the Hunter Biden laptop news days before the 2020 election.
A Better Twitter
Musk claimed in a statement released last week that he purchased Twitter because it is vital for society to have a shared digital space where different opinions may be debated in a nonviolent manner.
He noted there is a significant risk that social media may fragment into far-right and far-left groupthink that breeds more hatred and divides our country.
Murphy’s proposals for an investigation also coincide with deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Democrat Party members.
Legislators challenged the prudence of the United States’ continued partnership with the country as a result of the government’s decision to curtail global petroleum production, resulting in a global increase in oil prices.
Afterward, the Saudi government issued a statement confirming President Biden urged that the country delay the output cut to the November midterm elections.
During the 2020 election cycle, Joe Biden referred to the nation as a “pariah” in reaction to the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi, who had been scathing of the kingdom’s authorities.
Two weeks ago, leaders of Saudi Arabia and China announced their intention to enhance relations and cooperation.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
