When the first tweet went around the world - From first tweet to X: How Twitter transformed global communication

Twitter began as a simple idea for sharing short messages via SMS. On March 21, 2006, co-founder Jack Dorsey posted the first tweet, writing, 'just setting up my twttr'. What started as an internal project soon grew into a global platform for real-time news and public discussion.

The platform's early days saw it evolve from a basic status-update tool into a major hub for communication. By 2021, Dorsey's first tweet had even become a collectible, selling as an NFT for several million dollars. Twitter's influence expanded further when Elon Musk acquired it in October 2022 for $44 billion.

Under Musk's ownership, sweeping changes followed. The company cut staff, revised content policies, and rebranded to **X** in 2023. These shifts sparked widespread debate about how information is moderated and shared online. As of March 2026, **X** reports over 500 million monthly active users worldwide. No detailed breakdowns of user growth or regional changes since the takeover have been released.

From its first tweet to its current form, the platform has reshaped how people consume news and engage in public debate. The rebranding and policy shifts under Musk's leadership continue to influence discussions about online content and its reliability. The platform remains one of the most widely used social networks globally.