Elon Musk Claims Judge’s Bias Led to Full Twitter Purchase Price

Elon Musk testified that he was compelled to pay the full $44 billion for Twitter, now known as X, in 2022 due to perceived bias from the presiding judge in the Delaware Court of Chancery. This marks the first time Musk has publicly detailed his reasoning for ultimately completing the acquisition after initially attempting to withdraw from the deal.

The Dispute and the Judge

Musk has repeatedly voiced concerns about Delaware Chancery Court’s Chief Judge, Kathaleen St. J. McCormick. His recent testimony in a San Francisco trial revisiting the Twitter buyout provided specific claims of bias influencing his decision to proceed with the purchase at the originally agreed-upon price. Bloomberg and Business Standard both reported on Musk’s testimony.

Background of the Acquisition

The contentious acquisition of Twitter unfolded throughout 2022. Musk initially agreed to purchase the social media platform for $44 billion, but later attempted to back out, citing concerns about the number of bot accounts on the platform. Twitter sued to enforce the agreement, leading to a legal battle before Judge McCormick. Tech in Asia provides further context on the deal’s timeline.

Previous Criticism of Judge McCormick

Prior to his testimony, Musk had publicly criticized Judge McCormick. In November 2024, commentary on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted McCormick’s role in forcing Musk to complete the acquisition, with some characterizing her as a “liberal Democratic chief judge.” X post

Implications and Ongoing Legal Matters

Musk’s claims of bias raise questions about the fairness of the legal proceedings surrounding the Twitter acquisition. The San Francisco trial is revisiting aspects of the tumultuous buyout, and Musk’s testimony offers insight into his motivations and perceptions of the legal process. The outcome of this trial could have implications for future corporate acquisitions and legal challenges.