Character Limit by Kate Conger and Ryan Mac Summary

Character Limit chronicles Elon Musk’s chaotic $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022, detailing his volatile leadership, mass layoffs, and policies that led to unchecked hate speech and misinformation. Award-winning journalists Kate Conger and Ryan Mac analyze Musk’s erratic decisions, the platform’s plummeting value, and the broader implications for free speech and corporate governance.

This book is essential for tech industry observers, Elon Musk followers, and those interested in corporate governance or social media’s societal impact. Its investigative depth appeals to readers seeking a definitive account of Musk’s leadership flaws and Twitter’s transformation into X under his controversial stewardship.

Yes. Praised as “riveting” (The Washington Post) and “astonishingly intimate” (Foreign Affairs), the book combines rigorous reporting with dramatic storytelling. It exposes Musk’s narcissistic tendencies, parallels to Trumpian tactics, and the human cost of his impulsive decisions, making it a critical resource for understanding modern tech power dynamics.

• October 26, 2022: Musk signs acquisition papers in Twitter’s smaller office while employees mourn in the main building.
• Cost-cutting chaos: Janitorial staff cuts forced employees to bring their own toilet paper.
• Policy upheaval: Reinstatement of banned accounts accelerated hate speech and misinformation.

The book portrays Musk as a “fragile, petty, narcissistic man-child” whose impulsive firings, erratic policy shifts, and obsession with loyalty drove Twitter’s decline. His mismanagement alienated advertisers, destabilized content moderation, and eroded trust in the platform.

Conger and Mac reveal Musk’s rushed due diligence, attempts to back out of the deal, and reliance on leveraged financing. The authors argue the overpriced acquisition reflected Musk’s ego-driven competition to control online discourse, not sound business strategy.

The book documents how Musk’s “free speech absolutism” revived extremist voices, normalized harassment, and prioritized engagement over safety. Case studies show spikes in antisemitic posts and conspiracy theories, linking Musk’s policies to real-world harm.

• Musk reportedly banned employees who corrected him on Slack.
• Executives slept at headquarters to meet his unreasonable deadlines.
• A viral Simpsons meme became a running joke among Musk’s “fanboy” supporters.

Unlike biographies focusing on Musk’s earlier ventures, this book offers a granular, real-time analysis of his Twitter tenure. It complements Walter Isaacson’s Musk by highlighting failures rather than idolizing innovation.

The epilogue notes Musk’s growing political influence, drawing parallels between his attention-seeking behavior and Trump’s playbook. Musk’s financial support for Trump’s 2024 campaign underscores his shift from tech titan to political power broker.

Kate Conger and Ryan Mac (both New York Times reporters) spent over a decade covering Musk. Their 150+ interviews with insiders, combined with leaked documents, provide unmatched access to Twitter’s inner turmoil.

As Musk expands his influence in politics and AI, the book serves as a cautionary tale about unaccountable tech leadership. Its lessons on platform governance remain critical amid global debates about misinformation and digital authoritarianism.