Elon Musk Begins First Wave Of Twitter Unbans, Reinstating Kathy Griffin, Jordan Peterson And The Babylon Bee's Accounts, Decision On Trump 'Not Yet Made'

Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced that he's unbanned three of the most controversially banned accounts on the site today, reinstating the accounts of comedian Kathy Griffin, psychologist Jordan Peterson and conservative satire site The Babylon Bee.

In the tweet, which gained over 80,000 likes in half an hour, Musk wrote that Twitter's new policy is "freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach," writing, "Negative/hate tweets will be max deboosted & demonetized, so no ads or other revenue to Twitter. You won’t find the tweet unless you specifically seek it out, which is no different from rest of Internet."

He followed up the tweet with a comment announcing that the three accounts in question were unbanned, where he also cleared the air on unbanning ex-President Donald Trump, writing, "Trump decision has not yet been made."

Kathie Griffin, Jorden Peterson & Babylon Bee have been reinstated.

Trump decision has not yet been made.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 18, 2022

The Babylon Bee, which was suspended back in March for tweeting a satirical news story about transgender government official Rachel Levine winning the "man of the year" award, was quick to announce its return. Minutes before Musk's official announcement, they posted, "We're back. Let that sink in," referencing the viral let that sink in meme that Musk recently brought to life.

Jordan Peterson also announced his return with a Here's Johnny meme, sharing the famous photo of Jack Nicholson and writing, "I'm back. Thanks @elonmusk." Peterson was banned back in June for making what many saw as a transphobic tweet about actor Elliot Page.

At the time of writing, Kathy Griffin, who was banned for impersonating Musk on Twitter, has not tweeted about her unbanning.

We're back. Let that sink in.

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) November 18, 2022

I'm back. Thanks @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/MnWWNDACGD

— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) November 18, 2022

Twitter users have been discussing the ban appeals since Musk's announcement, some celebrating the accounts' reinstatements and others showing a little more doubt.

Tim Pool tweeted out two more account unban suggestions to Musk, posting, "unban Project Veritas and James O'Keefe." Twitter user @nijigasakilove commented asking about banned non-celebrity accounts, writing, "What about other suspended accounts? Like normal people we don’t care about suspended celebs lol." Others are wondering what the hold-up is with Trump, who recently announced he'll be running for President in 2024.

At the time of writing, no further ban appeals have been announced, but the discourse surrounding the development has certainly spread like wildfire.

What about other suspended accounts? Like normal people we don’t care about suspended celebs lol

— 優木せつ菜 (@nijigasakilove) November 18, 2022

Unban the people punished for political expression and humor!!!

— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) November 18, 2022

unban Project Veritas and James O'Keefe https://t.co/9pc17zGU5F

— Tim Pool (@Timcast) November 18, 2022

elon won’t unban donald trump on twitter bc he knows that trump is a better poster and doesn’t want to be upstaged again on his own platform

— liz (@manicpixieghoul) November 18, 2022

He incited and insurrection and continues to push a lie that is detrimental to the stability of America. It’s a lie, period. There were audits, hand counts, lawsuits, investigations at state and federal level, he lost.

— C₳MO ❁ (@Camopinions) November 18, 2022

Shortly after the first tweet, Musk tweeted asking, "What should Twitter do next?" inspiring further comments sharing unban requests.

One user notably wrote, "Bring back Alex Jones!!!!" gaining over 7,000 likes in rapid succession. Alex Jones, the controversial InfoWars founder, was banned back in 2018 for abusive behavior. Musk was quick to shut down the idea, simply commenting back, "No" and ratioing the requester with over 10,000 likes in an hour. The verdict may still be out on Trump, but for Alex, it's looking like a definite no.

No

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 18, 2022