Elon Musk is running out of ways to evade his original $44 billion contract to buy Twitter.
The world¡¯s richest man, who was in a rush to acquire the social network in April and then abruptly soured on the deal, spent months trying to exit the obligation entirely. In recent weeks, both sides discussed a price that was about $4 below the $54.20 per-share accord, but couldn¡¯t agree on additional terms, according to people familiar with the matter.
On Oct. 3, Musk applied public pressure by formally re-offering to buy the company at the original price, aiming to avoid an Oct. 17 fight in Delaware Chancery Court. Twitter¡¯s stock shot up, with investors sensing the drama was nearly over. But the company¡¯s lawyers, suspicious of conditions in Musk¡¯s letter, including the stipulation that Twitter drop its lawsuit, called it ¡°an invitation to further mischief.¡±
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