The £33BN Twitter war

Musk takeover bid could help Trump back to White House

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

ELON Musk has launched a hostile £33billion bid to buy Twitter.

If he wins, the world's richest man could shape the 2024 US election by throwing Donald Trump a lifeline and reinstating his social media platform.

The ex-President relied on Twitter to promote often-outrageous ideas to millions of supporters while accusing mainstream media of “fake news”.

Facebook and Twitter banned him for life after last year's Capitol riot.

Musk, a self-described “free speech absolutist”, has backed moves to have the ex-President's account reinstated.

Making his takeover bid, the £202billion Tesla tycoon said he would "unlock” Twitter's potential by making it a private firm. But if he failed he would "need to reconsider” his position as a shareholder.

Last week it emerged he had become the largest private shareholder with a 9.2% stake. He later turned down a seat on the board.