Linda Yaccarino: “Deceptive Attacks” Are Fueling X Advertiser Exodus

Caitlin Huston
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X CEO Linda Yaccarino sent a note to employees Sunday evening, saying the report on antisemitic content on the social media platform is “misleading” and that the company is in the midst of battling “deceptive attacks.”

The statement comes after a report from nonprofit Media Matters for America released Thursday, which found that the platform was placing ads for major companies such as Apple, NBCUniversal and IBM “next to content that touts Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party.” In turn, many major advertisers, including Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, Apple and even Yaccarino’s former workplace, NBCUniversal, paused ads on the social media platform.

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“While some advertisers may have temporarily paused investments because of a misleading and manipulated article, the data will tell the real story. Because for all of us who work at X, we’ve been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination, as there’s no place for it anywhere in the world,” Yaccarino wrote in the memo to all X employees, under the headline “Our Work Is Meaningful.”

Additionally, Musk drew criticism for writing a post on Wednesday that many are calling out as being antisemitic. Musk wrote, “you have said the actual truth” in response to another user on X, who said, “I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much.”

Yaccarino, who previously led the advertising divisions at NBCUniversal and Turner Broadcasting, joined X in June and has been trying to win back advertisers. In her memo to employees, she wrote that “a vocal minority” is “trying to use deceptive attacks to undermine our work.” But, she said, X remains steadfast in the pursuit of protecting free speech, which has been Musk’s mantra since taking over the network.

Full Memo:

Team,

Across every corner of this company, we’re working to create a platform for everyone. And there is no other platform that’s working as hard to protect free speech like X. Our work is critical, but it’s not always easy. What we’re doing matters, which means it naturally invites criticism from those who do not share our beliefs.

While some advertisers may have temporarily paused investments because of a misleading and manipulated article, the data will tell the real story. Because for all of us who work at X, we’ve been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination, as there’s no place for it anywhere in the world.

I want to encourage you to read and listen to all the feedback. On one side, there’s a vocal minority trying to use deceptive attacks to undermine our work. But on the other side, there are vocal supporters and courageous partners who believe in X and the meaningful work you are all doing. Hold on to that and keep pushing forward. No critic will ever deter us from our mission to protect free speech.

Let’s keep putting our values to work and lean on one another. I am extremely proud to be on the front line with you all — and I’ll see you all at the office tomorrow morning.

Linda

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