--- title: "Elon Musk Posts Meme About How Actually, He Is Very Smart" description: "Billionaire Elon Musk, self-memed legal genius, wants you to know that he totally has that Twitter deal under control — and also, that Twitter is stupid!" date: "2022-07-12" modified: "2022-07-12" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-meme-smart" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "billionaires" - "elon musk" - "the digest" - "twitter" --- # Elon Musk Posts Meme About How Actually, He Is Very Smart ![Billionaire Elon Musk, self-memed legal genius, wants you to know that he totally has that Twitter deal under control — and also, that Twitter is stupid!]() *\Image: Futurism\* ## Legal Genius Billionaire Elon Musk wants you to know that he totally, one hundred percent has that [botched Twitter deal]() under control. Oh, and also, that Twitter is stupid! To recap: after initially just purchasing a [controlling stake]() in the social media company, Musk then moved to buy Twitter for a crisp $44 billion. But the billionaire seemingly got cold feet shortly thereafter, and has since [hinged a pull-out campaign]() on claims that Twitter has [refused to properly disclose]() exactly how many bots are on the platform, prompting a [lawsuit from Twitter]() that's attempting to force him to buy the company after all. But in Musk's version of reality, all is balmy. As a [Sunday tweet]() suggests, the [sock lover]() has Twitter and co right where he wants 'em. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1546344529460174849 ## Chuckmate According to the signed agreement, the [hopeful Mars colonizer]() has two options — pay a one billion dollar exit fine, or take the social media staple to court. As per the self-meming post, Musk has chosen the latter. And confidently so, considering a follow-up tweet that features martial arts star Chuck Norris [playing chess](), complete with the phrase "[chuckmate]()." But it doesn't look like Twitter thinks it's been chuckmated quite yet. Company chairman Bret Taylor [tweeted last week]() that Twitter would "prevail" in court, and [*Fortune* reports]() that the social site is due to file its suit this week. ## Autopilot This bungled arrangement has been utter chaos, and Twitter employees have likely gotten the shortest stick of them all along the way. "Twitter is a s\*\*\* show internally; I can confirm that for you right now, without a doubt," one anonymous Twitter staffer [told *Wired*](), while another unnamed worker ironically added that "the entire company is running on [autopilot]()." There's no telling where this next stage of the saga will take us, but we hope that Musk has time to enjoy his other hobbies, like [repopulating the Earth](), amid what will likely be an expensive and drawn-out legal battle. And if we might, we'd like to offer one piece of advice: next time, maybe sleep on it. **More on the Elon Musk Twitter ordeal:** [*Elon Musk Has a Ridiculous Excuse for Why He Suddenly Doesn't Want to Buy Twitter*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()