Saturday 21 May 2022 12:16 AM Trump says Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter is probably illegal trends now

Donald Trump has lashed out at Elon Musk, calling the billionaire's $44 billion Twitter takeover 'probably illegal' in a post on his own competing social media network, Truth Social.

In his post on Friday, Trump slammed Musk, claiming that he had lied when he recently said that he had previously voted Democrat but was switching his allegiance to the Republican Party.

Musk had tweeted this week: 'In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.' 

'Gee, Elon Musk never told me that until now he only voted for Democrats. Actually, it was quite the contrary,' wrote Trump in his Truth Social post.

He continued: 'but now it seems, with all of his problems with a probably illegal purchase of a crummy phony account loaded company, Fake Twitter, he wants to be a Republican because the Dems are a 'Party of hate." 

'I could have told him that a long time ago, but actually they are a Party of sickness, greed, corruption & absolute horrible policy,' added Trump. 'Good luck Elon, have fun!!!'

Trump did not explain what element of Musk's Twitter bid, which was accepted by the company's board in a legally binding contract, might be 'illegal'. 

Although Musk has vowed to allow Trump to return to Twitter if his buyout closes successfully, Trump has repeatedly said that he won't go back, and his post on Friday was the latest sign that he holds no enthusiasm for Twitter.

Trump was banned from Twitter following his loyalists' attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, after the company said he violated their ban on glorification of violence.

Trump lashed out at Musk as his own social media venture faces the prospect of increased competition if Musk acquires Twitter and allows conservatives that had been banned a freer rein on the site.