Judge’s refusal to let Elon Musk out of his SEC settlement notes the limits of his right to free speech
VergeSEP 2022
Judge Rejects Elon Musk's Bid to Throw out Settlement
Image copyright: Bloomberg/Getty Images [via Fox Business]
The Spin
Right narrative
The SEC is abusing the deal in order to make unreasonable demands for voluminous and costly document productions. The attempt to enforce the pre-clearance rule is a violation of Musk's freedom of speech, and the SEC's vendetta must be put to a stop.
Left narrative
Freedom of speech doesn't extend to corporate leaders engaged in fraud or the violation of securities regulations. This issue was already settled in 2018, and Musk can't wiggle his way out now by complaining about something that he already willingly agreed to.