In a shocking development that’s already setting the internet ablaze, sources close to Elon Musk have revealed that the tech mogul is seriously considering the acquisition of Facebook after January 20. The reported motive? To take direct control over what he calls “the global battleground for free speech.”

According to anonymous insiders familiar with Musk’s inner circle, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX believes that Facebook, now under the Meta umbrella, has “failed to uphold the principles of open dialogue and transparency.” Musk allegedly views the platform as one of the key players in what he describes as “coordinated censorship campaigns” targeting dissenting voices and controversial opinions.

The proposed timeline — after January 20 — has sparked speculation about whether Musk is timing the potential move around U.S. political developments or ongoing legal shifts in tech regulation. Some observers suggest he’s waiting to see how the 2024 U.S. political transition may affect antitrust laws and social media oversight.

Musk, who already owns X (formerly Twitter), has long positioned himself as a defender of free expression, often clashing with mainstream media outlets, politicians, and tech leaders over moderation policies. His controversial changes to X’s content guidelines and his reinstatement of previously banned accounts drew both praise and criticism worldwide.

If this reported Facebook acquisition were to happen, it would mark one of the biggest and boldest corporate takeovers in tech history. Meta currently has a market capitalization of over $800 billion, and Musk would likely need to mobilize an unprecedented mix of personal wealth, investor backing, and strategic partnerships to make the deal possible.

Neither Meta nor Elon Musk has publicly confirmed the rumor, but as with many of Musk’s previous ventures, even a simple tweet could send markets into chaos and spark intense public reaction.

Reactions online are already pouring in, with hashtags like #MuskVsZuck and #FreeSpeechWar trending globally. Supporters believe Musk is the only one with the vision and courage to “liberate” digital speech, while critics warn that too much power in one man’s hands could spell disaster for online democracy.

As always with Musk, the line between speculation and reality is razor thin — and the world will be watching closely to see what unfolds after January 20.