Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of billionaire Elon Musk’s X — formerly Twitter — backed him up in a Thursday internal memo following his inflammatory comments on Wednesday, according to CNBC.
Musk went off on an expletive-laced rant against advertisers in response to them pausing their advertising on X at an interview at The New York Times’ DealBook summit on Wednesday, characterizing their actions as extortion. Yaccarino praised his comments and echoed the billionaire’s objective of establishing a free speech platform, even if it costs the company financially, according to the memo obtained by CNBC.
“Our mission at X is bold: to be an open platform without censorship of thought – one that provides people information and the freedom to make up their own minds,” Yaccarino wrote in the memo. “Our principles do not have a price tag, nor will they be compromised – ever. And no matter how hard they try, we will not be distracted by sideline critics who don’t understand our mission.”
After a recent report by left-wing activist group Media Matters alleged ads show up next to antisemitic content on X, as well as a post by Musk that was interpreted by some as antisemitic, Apple, IBM, Lionsgate, Paramount Global, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery all pulled their advertising from the platform, according to The New York Times.
“Don’t advertise,” Musk stated at the summit. “If somebody is gonna try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go fuck yourself. Go fuck yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is.”
Executives in the advertising industry also pressed Yaccarino to leave X, according to reports.
“I’m immensely proud to lead this company – with the passionate people and partners of the X community and most fortunately with all of YOU,” Yaccarino wrote in the internal memo.
Experts have expressed concern about Yaccarino increasing censorship on X and the platform has boosted a visibility suppression policy called “freedom of speech, not reach” under her leadership.
“Elon’s interview was candid and profound,” Yaccarino wrote. “He shared an unmatched and completely unvarnished perspective and vision for the future. If you haven’t watched it, please take the time to absorb the magnitude and importance of what we’re all a part of.”
X did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Jason Cohen on December 1, 2023
