Apple and a number of other companies decided earlier this month to stop advertising on X (formerly known as Twitter). Elon Musk has now talked about those companies directly with a vulgar message: “Go fu*k yourself.”
Apple made the decision in response to Elon Musk’s anti-Semitic comments on the platform, as well as reports that Apple ads were being shown alongside far-right conspiracy stories and anti-Semitic content. Other than Apple, companies such as Disney, IBM, Comcast, Paramount, and others stopped advertising on X.
Elon Musk Responds to Advertisers:
Elon Musk said at the New York Times DealBook Summit, “If you’re going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself.” I hope that makes sense. If you’re in the audience, say hello to Bob (Iger). Don’t advertise; that’s how I feel.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger was in the audience at DealBook, prompting Musk to follow up his remarks by waving and cheerfully saying, “Hi, Bob!”
A report on Tuesday revealed that over 100 brands have followed Apple’s lead and halted advertising on X. Internal metrics from the company estimate that this could ultimately result in over $75 million in lost revenue.
Apple has remained quiet on the future of its advertising plans for the iPhone X. There is no word on how long Apple’s “pause” in Twitter advertising will last. During his own interview with DealBook today, Bob Iger reiterated Disney’s decision to halt advertising on X.
Elon Musk’s reaction to an anti-Semitic post:
Musk agreed earlier this month with a post claiming that Jews have a “dialectical hatred” of white people. The tweet’s content is thought to be widely used by white supremacist conspiracies. Elon Musk’s response was also criticized by the Joe Biden-led White House, which called the billionaire’s actions an “illogical promotion of anti-Semitic and racist hatred.”
Disney, IBM, Apple, Comcast, IBM, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. are some of the companies that have since stopped advertising on X.
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