Elon Musk has previously hinted at layoffs if he buys Twitter, but those cuts may be more severe than previously anticipated.
According to a new Washington Post report, Musk intends to fire 75% of Twitter’s workforce or approximately 5,600 employees. If Musk’s vision for a much leaner platform comes true, Twitter will be forced to operate with a fraction of its current workforce.
Twitter was always going to reduce its workforce due to broader economic factors and ongoing criticisms that it has failed to deliver on its promise. However, most people did not anticipate a three-quarters reduction in staff. The Post reported that Twitter had already planned to cut a quarter of its workforce — but leaving a quarter of the workforce is a completely different situation.
Elon Musk has reportedly described his aggressive plan in recent months, but there is frequently a gap between his words and the reality of the situation. Musk may want to lay off 75% of Twitter’s workforce — what savvy investor or CEO wouldn’t want to make more money with fewer pesky salaries to pay? — but it’s also possible that Twitter wouldn’t be able to function if it were slashed to the bone.
Musk clearly lacks a fundamental understanding of some serious issues confronting the company, some of which can only be resolved through increased investment in critical areas.
It’s possible that the 75% figure was just another trick Musk pulled out of his hat to impress whoever he was speaking with, such as bankers courting for the acquisition or the number of those slavering rich men with whom he texts. We certainly hope that is the case for the sake of Twitter’s already overworked current workforce.
After months of Musk’s chaos, the deal is back on track and is expected to close on October 28.
