Elon Musk’s response to Twitter lawsuit to be made public by Friday

A judge has ruled that Elon Musk’s answer to Twitter’s lawsuit will be made public by Friday evening at the latest

Elon Musk’s answer to Twitter’s lawsuit over his attempt to back out of a $44 billion deal to buy the social media company will be made public by Friday evening at the latest, a judge ruled Wednesday.

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Attorneys for Mr. Musk wanted to file a public version of their answer and counterclaims in Delaware court Wednesday. But Twitter attorneys complained that they needed more time to review and potentially redact Mr. Musk’s sealed filing, saying it refers “extensively” to internal Twitter information and data given to Mr. Musk.

Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick held a quick teleconference Wednesday before agreeing with Twitter, directing that the public filing be docketed by 5 p.m. Friday. It could be filed earlier depending on when Twitter attorneys complete their review.

Twitter attorneys argued that court rules require that five business days lapse before a public version of Musk's filing is docketed.

“Few cases attract as much public interest as this one, and Twitter is mindful of this court’s commitment to ensuring maximum public access to its proceedings,” Twitter attorney Kevin Shannon wrote. “Twitter has no interest in proposing any more redactions to defendants’ responsive pleading than are necessary.”

Mr. Musk’s attorney Edward Micheletti argued that Twitter’s lawyers were misinterpreting the court rules. His attorneys also say there is no confidential information in Mr. Musk’s filing that should be withheld from the public.