Netflix co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings likes Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who recently bought Twitter.
During Wednesday’s DealBook summit, Hastings said he and Musk have different styles: he is trying to be a “stable, respected leader,” while Musk is “amazing.”
While Hastings isn’t as active in the public eye, and he certainly tweets less frequently than Musk, he said he was “excited” about Musk’s Twitter acquisition. He added that Musk is “the bravest, most creative person on the planet.” To which Musk replied, “Wow, thanks for the kind words.”
Elon Musk was less-than-wordy for Netflix earlier this year. After the streaming giant reported losing subscribers in the first quarter of the year, Musk tweeted: The Awake Mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable. If he did see the tweet, it doesn’t appear Hastings took Musk’s comment to heart.
Hastings said that he is 100% sure that he is trying to help the world in all his endeavors, which includes buying Twitter. He’s trying to help the world on that front, Hastings said, because he believes in free speech and its power for democracy, but he said how he goes about it.
Hastings said that people are misunderstanding the changes Musk is making on Twitter. Urging people to give the man a break. They put all this money [Twitter] into democracy and society. spent trying to make it better for us, and I sympathize with that agenda, Hastings said.
Elon Musk has caused a stir with his changes since buying Twitter and earlier this month, he rolled back Twitter’s Covid misinformation policy. They also began implementing an $8 membership fee for users to receive the blue checkmark, which, in the past, typically designated accounts of public figures or institutions.
Critics say that putting a price on verification, essentially allowing anyone to keep a check as long as they pay a monthly fee, could lead to the spread of misinformation. The monthly fee is part of the new Twitter Blue membership, which Musk has delayed several times to address impersonation issues.