Elon Musk was granted ownership of the @e handle on Twitter shortly after emerging as the platform’s largest shareholder, according to revelations from Zoë Schiffer’s book, “Extremely Hardcore.”

Transfer of Ownership

In April 2022, Twitter’s then-chief marketing officer, Leslie Berland, reportedly approached Yoel Roth, head of trust and safety, to facilitate the transfer of the @e handle to Musk. This move came in the wake of Musk’s acquisition of a significant 9.1% stake in Twitter’s shares, which immediately influenced the company’s market dynamics.

Musk’s Twitter Investment

Musk’s public disclosure of his substantial ownership in Twitter on April 4 triggered a surge in the company’s stock value. Just a week later, he expressed interest in purchasing the platform outright, signaling his intent to deepen his involvement in the social media landscape.

Value of Single-Letter Handles

Single-letter usernames like @e hold considerable value, often fetching significant sums on underground marketplaces. Schiffer’s book suggests that handles such as @e could command prices upwards of $50,000 due to their scarcity and desirability among users.

Transfer Decision

While Twitter typically refrained from transferring account handles without valid business justifications, the owner of the @e account had been suspended, prompting Roth to approve its transfer to Musk, as outlined in Schiffer’s book.

Musk’s Engagement with the Handle

Despite acquiring the @e handle, Musk has shown limited engagement with it, merely changing the account’s name to “John Utah.” It remains largely inactive, with Musk primarily utilizing his main @elonmusk account for communication and engagement on the platform.

Additional Accounts

In addition to his primary @elonmusk account, Musk reportedly maintains another account under the name of his son, X Æ A-12. This secondary account was revealed in April 2023 when Musk shared a screenshot of his profile, showcasing the alternative account alongside a profile picture of his son.

Lack of Comment from Musk

Representatives for Musk did not respond immediately to requests for comment from Business Insider regarding the acquisition of the @e handle. However, Musk’s acquisition of this high-value Twitter asset underscores his ongoing influence and interest in the digital sphere.