Elon Musk recently addressed the criticism he received from major corporations that pulled their advertising from his social media platform, X. During the Cannes Lions advertising event, Mark Read, the CEO of advertising firm WPP, asked Musk about his previous remarks where he told advertisers to “go [expletive] themselves.” Musk clarified that his message was not directed at advertisers as a whole but rather in support of freedom of speech.
Back in November 2023, at a New York Times-related event, Musk expressed his frustration with advertisers who were attempting to “blackmail” him with money. He stated, “I hope they stop. Don’t advertise.” He also added, “Go [expletive] yourself… is that clear? I hope it is.” He seemed to single out Disney CEO Bob Iger, who had expressed his unwillingness to associate his company with X or Musk.
In response to Mark Read’s question, Musk emphasized that his message was aimed at companies that advocate for censorship on his platform. He stressed the importance of having a global free speech platform where individuals with a wide range of opinions can voice their views.
Musk framed the advertising issue as a choice between making money and upholding freedom of speech. He acknowledged that there were instances where advertisers insisted on censorship on X. However, if the choice had to be made between censorship and money or censorship and free speech, Musk stated that they would choose the latter.
Musk clarified that advertisers have the right to appear next to content that aligns with their brands. However, he criticized the insistence that there can be no content on the platform with which they disagree. He emphasized the need for X to be a public square for the world and a platform for free speech within legal boundaries.
Several major corporations, including Disney, IBM, Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures, and Apple, suspended their advertising on X due to concerns about their content appearing alongside questionable posts. Disney CEO Bob Iger explained that the association with Musk’s public position was not deemed positive for their brand, leading them to withdraw their advertising.
Despite the advertising challenges faced by X, Musk remained optimistic. He highlighted that world leaders and influential individuals still utilize the platform, making it the best platform for reaching senior decision-makers and influential people worldwide.
Musk took over the social media platform, previously known as Twitter, in November 2022 after acquiring it for $44 billion. Since then, he has reinstated the accounts of several conservative and controversial figures.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s message to advertisers was not a broad attack but rather a defense of freedom of speech. He emphasized the importance of a global free speech platform while acknowledging the right of advertisers to align their brands with compatible content. Despite the advertising setbacks faced by X, Musk remains positive about the platform’s value in reaching influential individuals and world leaders.
