Musk Seeks Mistrial in Twitter Lawsuit, Citing 'Animosity' in SF

Former Twitter shareholders allege Musk intentionally sought to drive down the company's value before his 2022 purchase.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and former owner of Twitter, is seeking a mistrial in a lawsuit brought by former Twitter shareholders. The shareholders allege that Musk intentionally sought to drive down Twitter's value before his $44 billion purchase of the company in October 2022. Musk's lawyers have cited 'animosity' towards the billionaire in the San Francisco Bay Area as a reason for the mistrial request.

Why it matters

This case is significant as it could impact the terms of Musk's Twitter acquisition and potentially set a precedent for how future high-profile corporate takeovers are handled, especially when there are allegations of intentional devaluation.

The details

Musk's lawyers have argued that the 'pervasive' negative media coverage and 'animosity' towards the billionaire in the San Francisco Bay Area have created an environment that is prejudiced against him, making it impossible for him to receive a fair trial. The former Twitter shareholders allege that Musk's actions, including his public criticism of the company, caused Twitter's stock price to plummet, allowing him to purchase the company at a lower valuation.

  • Musk purchased Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion.
  • The lawsuit was filed by former Twitter shareholders in March 2023.

The players

Elon Musk

The CEO of Tesla and former owner of Twitter, who is seeking a mistrial in a lawsuit brought by former Twitter shareholders.

Twitter

The social media company that Musk purchased for $44 billion in October 2022.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to grant Musk's request for a mistrial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges that high-profile business leaders can face when conducting major transactions in regions where they may be viewed unfavorably, and the potential legal ramifications that can arise from allegations of intentional devaluation during a corporate takeover.