The boss of Twitter has named Elon Musk as his favourite user of the social media platform - despite acknowledging the "ups and downs" of the billionaire's controversial tweets.

Asked who he believes is "the most exciting" person on Twitter at present, the company's co-founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey named Mr Musk.

To me personally? I like how @elonmusk uses Twitter. He’s focused on solving existential problems and sharing his thinking openly. I respect that a lot, and all the ups and downs that come with it #karajack — jack (@jack) February 12, 2019

Mr Dorsey, who tweets from @Jack, said: "To me personally? I like how @elonmusk uses Twitter.

"He's focused on solving existential problems and sharing his thinking openly. I respect that a lot, and all the ups and downs that come with it."

Mr Dorsey's comments prompted criticism from other Twitter users, who noted the multiple scandals Mr Musk has courted on the platform.


The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive is currently being sued by a British diver, who last year criticised the Mr Musk's offer to send a submarine to rescue a Thai football team trapped in a cave system.

Vernon Unsworth branded Mr Musk's offer to help as a "PR stunt" and claimed it "had absolutely no chance of working" before adding: "Musk can stick his submarine where it hurts."

In response, Mr Musk repeatedly alleged on Twitter that Mr Unsworth was a paedophile - an allegation Mr Unsworth considered defamatory.

Twitter accounts impersonating Mr Musk have also seen the billionaire's fans being conned out of money via cryptocurrency.

An investigation by Sky News uncovered the huge scale of the theft, covering tens of thousands of pounds a day and being conducted by multiple independent copycats.

Image: The scam account @elounmusk responding to a SpaceX tweet

The scams prompted Twitter to change its rules about allowing cryptocurrency advertising on the platform, amid scrutiny of the market by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It would not be the last time the SEC would pay attention to Twitter.

Last August, Mr Musk tweeted he was considering taking Tesla private at $420 a share - a number used to reference cannabis consumption - and added that funding had been secured.

Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 7, 2018

The tweet caused Tesla's stock price to jump by more than 7%, which prompted the SEC to file a lawsuit for alleged securities fraud.

The SEC stated that Mr Musk had not discussed or confirmed key deal terms.

Mr Musk settled the suit with US regulators, accepting a $20m (£15m) fine and agreeing to step down as chairman, although he remained as chief executive.

Just want to that the Shortseller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work. And the name change is so on point! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 4, 2018

However just days after agreeing to the settlement, Mr Musk hit out at the SEC on Twitter, describing it as the "Shortseller Enrichment Commission", and adding it was doing "incredible work".

Short-selling refers to investors who may have been betting on a fall in Tesla's share prices.

We hold all accounts to the same terms of service. The most controversial aspect of our TOS is the newsworthy/public interest clause, the “protection” you mention. That doesn’t extend to all public figures by default, but does speak to global leaders and seeing how they think. — jack (@jack) February 12, 2019

In another answer to questions from Twitter users, Mr Dorsey declined to say whether the company had ever considered suspending US President Donald Trump's account.

But Mr Dorsey claimed to "hold all accounts to the same terms of service" - before explaining that the terms of service (ToS) make special exemptions for celebrities.

"The most controversial aspect of our ToS is the newsworthy/public interest clause, the 'protection' you mention," he acknowledged.

"That doesn't extend to all public figures by default, but does speak to global leaders and seeing how they think."