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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Charlie Jones

Elon Musk opens up on family tragedy after calls to let Sandyhook denier back on Twitter

Elon Musk has confirmed Sandyhook denier Alex Jones will not be returning to Twitter despite a spate of high profile bans being reversed.

Invoking the memory of his child, who died at just 10 weeks old, Mr Musk said: "I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame."

Since taking over the reigns at Twitter, the world's richest man has committed to reviewing many of the bans on the social media platform.

Donald Trump's account was reinstated on Sunday (November 20) after it was suspended due to the risk of inciting violence just days after the January 6 2021 riots.

Alex Jones has consistently claimed that the Sandyhook massacre was faked (Tyler Sizemore/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Following the ban reversals, commentator Sam Harris Tweeted Mr Musk asking: "Is it time to let Alex Jones back on Twitter? If not, why not?"

Alex Jones was banned from Twitter in 2018 for violating the platform's policies on promoting abusive behavior.

Jones made a name for himself pedalling conspiracy theories including that the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, where 20 children and six staff were killed, was faked.

Musk has made many changes since taking over at Twitter (AFP via Getty Images)

Last month a jury ordered Jones to pay almost $1bn in damages to families who lost loved ones in the massacre and were subjected to harassment over Jones' lies about the incident.

In the thread of replies underneath Mr Harris' question, which included Mr Musk quoting the bible, another popular account Kim Dotcom made a plea for Jones to be reinstated.

Kim Dotcom wrote: "Alex f***ed up with Sandy Hook. He admitted that and apologized. He also got a lot of “conspiracy theories” right. If serial liars like Biden and Trump are allowed on Twitter then Alex Jones should be allowed too. Please reconsider in the interest of real free speech."

Mourners embrace following services for six year-old Noah Pozner, who was killed in the Sandyhook massacre (AFP/Getty Images)

In response Mr Musk confirmed that Jones would not be allowed back on the platform.

He said: "My firstborn child died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat.

"I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame."

Mr Musk lost his first child in 2002 when the baby died of sudden infant death syndrome at the age of 10 weeks.

Alex Jones was an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump (AFP via Getty Images)

He rarely speaks about the incident so opening up about it on social media surprised many.

Mr Musk reinstated Trumps account after 15 million Twitter accounts voted in a poll about whether he should be allowed back.

With 51.8 per cent saying he should be, Mr Musk tweeted "The people have spoken".

Despite Mr Musk's apparent enthusiasm in having him back on the platform, Mr Trump seems less keen saying: "I don't see any reason for it".

Many staff at Twitter quit after Elon Musk demanded staff choose between being "extremely hardcore" and working long hours, or losing their jobs (AFP via Getty Images)

Trump has not posted anything since being reinstated.

Since Mr Musk took over Twitter many advertisers have pulled out over concerns about how the platform will be moderated.

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