Everything You Need to Know About X, Elon Musk's Social Media Project

Another week, another controversy created by Elon Musk. After backing out of his deal to buy Twitter a few weeks ago, Elon Musk is backtracking again, only this time he’s actually going to push through with his Twitter buyout.

For $44 billion, it’s supposedly the second biggest buyout in history—if it actually happens. Musk’s been having an on-and-off again relationship with his Twitter buyout, so we wouldn’t be surprised if plans change before the end of the year. 

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But if it does, then according to Musk, it’s all part of his grander scheme to launch X, his “everything" app. “Twitter is an accelerant to fulfilling the original X.com vision,” says Musk. 

But what exactly is X, Elon Musk’s everything app? 

According to Bloomberg, Musk’s X app looks a lot like Chinese super-app WeChat. The app already provides a blueprint for X to copy: WeChat lets users book rides, make dining reservations, order food, pay online, send money, borrow money, watch videos, receive news, and way more. It’s essentially China’s substitute for Facebook, Grab, and GCash—only it’s all in one app. Unsurprisingly, the super app has its own mini-economy that’s worth a whopping $240 billion with over 450 million users—in one country alone. 

Of course, WeChat heavily censors content to align with the Chinese Communist Party, something Musk will definitely not replicate. The tycoon is notorious for advocating for free speech no matter how hateful or problematic (like fake news). Still, he’s professed his goal to transform Twitter into something that could rival all other social media platforms. 

Until Musk completes his Twitter buyout, X is still but a dream for Musk. 

But if it does come to life, then Elon Musk might just dominate social media the same way he’s already winning the space race and electric cars. Is this just Musk's world and are we just living in it?