Elon Musk slams ‘blackmailing’ advertisers who left X: ‘Go f*** yourself
Tech Mogul Elon Musk Slams Advertisers for Leaving X
In a fiery speech at the 2023 DealBook Summit in New York, Elon Musk, the renowned tech mogul, expressed his disdain for advertisers who abandoned X, formerly known as Twitter, due to controversial posts on his social media platform.
“Don’t advertise,” Musk boldly declared. “If somebody’s gonna try to blackmail me with advertising? Blackmail me with money? Go f*** yourself. Go. F***. Yourself. Is that clear? Hope it is.”
Musk didn’t hold back, even singling out Disney CEO Bob Iger in the audience with a cheeky greeting, “Hi Bob!” He warned executives about the consequences of losing his loyal fan base, stating, “The whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company, and we will document it in great detail.”
But Musk didn’t stop there. He had more choice words to share during the summit, expressing his frustration with those who prioritize appearances over doing good. “What I see all over the place is people who care about looking good while doing evil. F*** them,” he exclaimed.
Even bestselling author Stephen King, who has occasionally criticized Musk, couldn’t help but comment on the tech mogul’s bold statements. King quipped, “Musk to advertisers: ‘Go f*** yourself.’ Is that his idea of the soft sell?”
Musk’s Controversial Remarks and Fallout
Musk’s troubles began when he responded to a social media post accusing “Jewish communities” of promoting “hatred against whites.” Rather than distancing himself, Musk defended the post, claiming it “said the actual truth.”
His comments didn’t sit well with many, including the White House, which condemned his promotion of “antisemitic and racist hate.” As a result, major advertisers like Disney and Apple suspended their advertising campaigns.
Reflecting on his actions, Musk admitted his mistake during the summit, acknowledging that he should not have engaged with that particular post. He clarified that his recent trip to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was not an apology tour but a planned visit that aimed to offer assistance in rebuilding Gaza.
Unfazed by the backlash, Musk asserted, ”I have no problem being hated,” emphasizing that his focus is on delivering the best products, such as his groundbreaking cars. “Hate me, like me, or indifferent. Do you want the best car, or do you not want the best car?” he challenged.
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How does Elon Musk believe that removing advertisements from X can lead to a society that lacks innovation and creativity?
Pulling advertisements from X, stating, “If you’re getting a lot of pressure to remove ads from a platform, don’t give in. Because if you do, you’re engaging in censorship. And censorship ultimately leads to a society that lacks innovation, lacks creativity, lacks a free exchange of ideas.”
Elon Musk’s strong remarks come in response to the recent backlash faced by X over controversial posts made by its user base. These posts, often promoting conspiracy theories or spreading misinformation, have sparked outrage and led several advertisers to distance themselves from the platform. Many companies, concerned about their brand image and potential association with harmful content, have chosen to boycott advertising on X altogether.
However, for Musk, this is not a satisfactory response. He believes that the advertisers’ decision to withdraw their support is an act of blackmail, an attempt to manipulate him and force him to take action against the users responsible for the controversial posts. Musk firmly asserts that he will not succumb to such pressure and advocates for a different approach to tackling the issue.
In his speech, Musk emphasizes the importance of free speech and the exchange of ideas. He argues that by removing advertisements from X, advertisers are essentially participating in censorship, limiting the platform’s ability to foster innovation and creativity. Musk asserts that society thrives when ideas can be freely shared and debated, even if they are controversial or unpopular. Without this freedom, he warns, progress and growth stagnate.
While some critics may argue that X has a responsibility to police its user content and ensure that it aligns with ethical standards, Musk stands firmly against the idea of censorship. In his view, the responsibility lies with the users themselves, who should have the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions, no matter how misguided or offensive they may be. Musk believes that the best way to counter harmful content is not through censorship but through open dialogue and the opportunity for different perspectives to challenge and debunk false claims.
Musk’s speech at the DealBook Summit has sparked intense debate and garnered mixed reactions. Some applaud Musk for his uncompromising defense of free speech and open discourse, viewing his remarks as a refreshing departure from the prevailing culture of censorship. Others, however, criticize him for downplaying the potential harm caused by misinformation and hate speech and argue that platforms like X have a responsibility to protect users from such content.
The impact of Musk’s message remains to be seen. As the CEO of numerous successful companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, his views carry weight and influence. Whether his stance will spur a reconsideration of advertising decisions or lead to a broader conversation about the limits of free speech and responsibility in the tech industry remains uncertain.
One thing is clear, however – Elon Musk’s speech has once again ignited a fierce discussion about the role of technology platforms, advertisers, and users in shaping the future of online discourse.
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