Elon Musk.
Elon Musk has criticized advertisers who are departing from his platform due to the growing issue of antisemitism on X.
Musk has been under significant scrutiny following his agreement with a user who falsely asserted that Jewish people were fueling animosity against white people.
In his post, Musk mentioned the user who made the claim, stating,”Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, was speaking “the actual truth.”
His post prompted leading brands to temporarily halt their advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Musk openly embraced an antisemitic conspiracy theory commonly favored by white supremacists.
The advertising exodus involved major media companies such as Disney, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Comcast, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN.
On Wednesday, Musk stated that he had, “handed a loaded gun” to both detractors and antisemitic people, describing his post as possibly the worst he had made during a history of messages that included many “foolish” ones.
“I mean, look, I’m sorry for that … post,” he said. “It was foolish of me. Of the 30,000 it might be literally the worst and dumbest post I’ve ever done. And I’ve tried my best to clarify six ways from Sunday, but you know at least I think it’ll be obvious that in fact far from being antisemitic, I’m in fact philosemitic.”
In his initial interview with mainstream media following his antisemitic post, he vehemently criticized advertisers abandoning his platform due to the increasing antisemitism on X, bluntly telling them to “Go f**k yourself.”
Addressing the audience at the New York Times DealBook Summit in New York, Musk stated, “I don’t want them to advertise. If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising or money go f**k yourself.
Go. F**k. Yourself,” he said. “Is that clear? Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience, that’s how I feel.” He added, making reference to Disney CEO Bob Iger, who had spoken earlier at the summit on Wednesday.