In a bold move that has left the tech world abuzz, Twitter, one of the internet’s most iconic brands, has rebranded as “X.” The company’s decision to ditch its well-known bird logo in favor of a new identity, influenced by CEO Elon Musk’s personal vision of cool, has caused quite a stir. As part of this rebranding process, Twitter attempted to remove the iconic Twitter sign from its headquarters at 1355 Market Street in San Francisco. However, the police stepped in, halting the removal process shortly after it began.
Police Intervention Puts a Halt to Sign Removal
Justin Sullivan, a renowned Getty Images photographer, documented the scene, capturing images of the partially dismantled sign and the police intervention. The situation prompted speculations on the reason for the police’s intervention, with initial reports suggesting that Musk had not obtained the necessary permits for the crane used in the removal.
According to a tweet by observer Wayne Sutton, the police intervention was due to the absence of a permit for the equipment on the street:
โWelp, @twitter name so coming off the building right now but @elonmusk didnโt get permit for the equipment on the street so @SFPD is shutting it down.” – Wayne Sutton, July 24, 2023.
However, The San Francisco Standard received clarification from local police, stating that it was simply a misunderstanding. Police reports indicated that officers responded to a report of a possible unpermitted street closure, but upon investigation, they determined that no crime was committed, and the matter was not a police concern.
The police presence and ensuing confusion didn’t dampen Musk’s ambition, as he expressed his intentions to transform the iconic bird logo into an “X” during a Twitter Spaces conversation. He alluded to a dispute with the building’s landlord, with the white “W” from the Twitter logo seemingly at the center of the disagreement. The specifics of this dispute, which Musk claimed was also related to unpaid rent, were not disclosed.
Rebranding Amidst Turmoil
Photographs taken during the event showed the dismantling process using an impact driver from Ridgid, a house brand of The Home Depot, instead of the blowtorches that Musk had mentioned in his Twitter Spaces conversation.
Twitter, now temporarily “er” to passersby, is seemingly undergoing a dramatic transformation under Musk’s leadership. With the rebranding, the social media giant is taking a major leap in a new direction, aiming to position itself in an entirely different light.
As the situation unfolds, The San Francisco Standard will continue to closely follow the events and developments surrounding Twitter’s journey under the helm of Elon Musk. The rebranding process and the company’s future direction remain subjects of intense interest and speculation for many industry watchers and Twitter users alike.
Only time will tell what the final form of “X” will be, and whether it will successfully redefine the social media landscape as we know it. Stay tuned for further updates as this 497-and-counting saga continues to unfold.
