Jack Dorsey, co-founder and former chairman of Twitter, recently disclosed the underlying tensions with Twitter’s board and an activist investor that led to his strategic exit from the company.

Speaking candidly, Dorsey expressed his relief when Twitter went private under Elon Musk’s acquisition, signaling the end of ongoing board disputes.

A Problematic Governance
During his tenure, Dorsey faced significant challenges with the board, describing it as a persistent issue that hindered company progress. His struggles peaked with pressures from Elliott Management, an activist investor firm keen on replacing him due to his dual role at Twitter and Square. This confrontation catalyzed Dorsey’s decision to plan an exit, aiming for a future free from the “Wall Street mess” that stifled creativity.

Musk’s Entry and Twitter’s Transformation
Dorsey’s narrative includes his attempts to bring Elon Musk onto Twitter’s board to foster a more dynamic governance style, though these efforts were initially blocked. Musk’s eventual involvement in 2022 marked a pivotal turn for Twitter, leading to its $44 billion sale and transformation into X, a platform Dorsey now endorses over his latest venture, Bluesky.

The Future of X
Under Musk’s leadership, X strives to redefine social media as a “digital town square” with minimal censorship, a vision that Dorsey supports despite the platform facing backlash and advertiser pullouts. Dorsey’s endorsement of X post-exit underscores his belief in a new direction away from traditional advertising revenues.