Elon Musk’s recent confrontation with advertisers has created a contentious environment for X, the platform he owns. At the DealBook conference, Musk addressed the advertising pauses prompted by his endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory on the platform.
When questioned about the advertising interruptions, Musk bluntly expressed his feelings, saying, “Don’t advertise.” He went on to say that attempts to use advertising as a means of blackmail would be met with a firm rejection, telling those contemplating such tactics to “Go f**k yourself.”
Musk has always been involved in legal disputes with various nonprofit organizations, including Media Matters, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Center for Countering Digital Hate. He claims that their reports have strained X’s relationship with advertisers. Companies like IBM, Apple, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, Paramount Global, and the European Commission, have recently paused or withdrawn their adverts on X.
Musk’s unapologetic response may not be taken lightly. Advertisers, though paused, are still considering whether to continue supporting the platform or quit. Musk warned that the advertising boycott could lead to the company’s fall, vowing to meticulously document how advertisers contributed to its downfall.
