Jack Dorsey is reportedly stepping down as Twitter CEO.
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Jack Dorsey is stepping down as CEO of Twitter - and it’s sparked an avalanche of Twitter banter.
The news has been confirmed by Dorsey himself, who tweeted, “not sure anyone has heard but, i resigned from Twitter.”
The tweet includes a lengthy email sent by Dorsey to Twitter staff, where he confirms that CTO Parag Agrawal will begin his new tenure as CEO starting today.
not sure anyone has heard but,
— jack⚡️ (@jack) November 29, 2021
I resigned from Twitter pic.twitter.com/G5tUkSSxkl
In the email, Dorsey praises Agrawal and says that his trust in him as CEO is “bone deep.” Dorsey says that he’s sad about the “tough decision,” yet happy because “not many companies get to this level.”
The Daily Show crew were quick off the mark in reacting, pointing out that most people who quit Twitter eventually come crawling back...
Don’t worry - like everyone else who quits Twitter he’ll be back in three weeks https://t.co/KBKRy3FHRL
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) November 29, 2021
One person pulled off some childish wordplay over the CEO’s first name...
BREAKING: JACK OFF TWITTER BOARD
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) November 29, 2021
It’s unclear what Jack might do next. Perhaps he’s lined up as a new Star Trek cast member?
Jack Dorsey has stepped down as the CEO of twitter to pursue his passion project: teaching luke how to use the force pic.twitter.com/5cUE9nzZgj
— Parker (@panoparker) November 29, 2021
We’re hoping he tries to squeeze details of his announcement into the same text-based straightjacket that he forces us all to use:
If Jack Dorsey doesn't announce his retirement in 280 characters or fewer...
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) November 29, 2021
Some used the moment to dream of the long-awaited edit button:
EDIT BUTTON COMING https://t.co/ovaQcgulJX
— connectpoliticditto. (@cpoliticditto) November 29, 2021
One person pointed out that his wardrobe reflects his apparent new role as a man of leisure:
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" - Jack Dorsey pic.twitter.com/uDb4NZxjWR
— StockCats (@StockCats) November 29, 2021
Twitter was founded in 2006 by Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. Dorsey was initially named CEO, but stepped down to become chairman of the board in 2008, and became executive chairman in 2011. In 2015, he was named permanent CEO.
Dorsey is also CEO of Square, a mobile financial payments company that allows small business owners to accept payment without hassle.
Dorsey found himself under huge pressure during the Trump presidency, as Trump had special “world leader” exceptions that allowed him to post content that would normally be removed as violations of the platform’s rules.
Towards the end of Trumps presidency, many of his tweets were flagged for misinformation. After the January 6 Capitol Attack, Dorsey suspended Trump’s account for 12 hours in violation of Twitter’s “Civic Integrity” policy. Dorsey permanently suspended the account on January 8th.
But despite banning her hero, Candace Owens dropped the galaxy-brain take that he was a ‘prisoner at his own company’ and that ‘communists’ will soon run Twitter:
This is the right take. I’ve been telling people for years. Jack Dorsey is not your enemy. He is a prisoner at his own company.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 29, 2021
Good thing the Parler app is finally working properly and looks amazing. The communists will fully run Twitter soon. https://t.co/2hIXG6UETB
One user included a popular reaction gif depicting Elmo in an inferno:
BREAKING: Jack Dorsey to be replaced as Twitter CEO by a triumvirate consisting of Don Jr., Ian Millhiser, and this gif pic.twitter.com/PNRHHnHAUj
— Aelfred The Great (@aelfred_D) November 29, 2021
Some have taken to commenting on Dorsey’s appearance, namely his “wizard-like” beard:
why does jack dorsey look like a wizard being forced to attend a speed awareness course pic.twitter.com/mMBr6B29YI
— joe (@mutablejoe) November 29, 2021
An It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia meme is making the rounds:
Jack Dorsey, before and after Twitter pic.twitter.com/4g6ZwoSWet
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) November 29, 2021
Another user poked fun at Twitter’s automated usernames that involve a first name followed by a series of random numbers:
Jack Dorsey is stepping down as CEO of Twitter and will be replaced by Steve68939285.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) November 29, 2021
