Disney Joins Apple and IBM in Withdrawing Ads from Elon Musk’s X Amidst Antisemitism Controversy

In a swift and significant move, Disney has joined the ranks of tech giants Apple and IBM in discontinuing advertisements on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The decision comes in response to Musk’s public endorsement of antisemitic ideologies, a move that has fuelled concerns about the platform’s future profitability and ignited criticism of Musk’s handling of the situation.

You have said the actual truth

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 15, 2023

What is the Controversy

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and amongst the world’s wealthiest individual, faced criticism after endorsing an antisemitic post on the X platform. The controversy erupted when a user shared a video condemning online hatred against Jewish communities. Another user accused Jews of promoting hatred against whites, to which Musk responded, “You have said the actual truth.” This comes amid Musk’s history of promoting content attacking Jewish people, with previous incidents leading to calls for apologies. Musk has also blamed the Anti-Defamation League for a decline in X’s ad revenue, citing pressure on advertisers.

Amid rising tensions of Islamophobia and antisemitism in the US, particularly during the Israel-Gaza conflict, Musk’s controversial statements have triggered a wave of withdrawals from major corporations. Apple, Comcast, IBM, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery had already withdrawn their advertising from X, dealing a severe blow to Musk’s platform.

The tipping point for IBM occurred on November 16 when the brand’s imagery was spotted alongside pro-Nazi content on X. IBM swiftly condemned the situation, expressing a zero-tolerance stance towards hate speech and discrimination. This follows similar instances involving the NCTA and Gilead Sciences, further highlighting the gravity of the controversy surrounding Musk’s platform.

The backlash against Musk intensifies as reports suggest an increasing alignment with and endorsement of extremist beliefs, raising uncertainties about X’s future profitability. Both Musk and X CEO Linda Yaccarino had earlier projected profits by the next year, but the recent events have cast a shadow over those expectations.

“@IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and we have immediately suspended all advertising on @X⁩ while we investigate this entirely unacceptable situation,” a company spokesperson said, responding to the report by ⁦@mmfa⁩. 🇺🇸😳 https://t.co/sxOqMAFzJq

— James Craig (@jbcraig) November 16, 2023

Allegations and Response followed

In response to the fallout, Yaccarino and Musk have issued statements reaffirming the platform’s commitment to combating antisemitism and discrimination. Yaccarino emphasized, “X has been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination. There’s absolutely no place for it anywhere in the world.” Musk, in a November 17 post on X, declared a strict policy against advocating genocide on the platform, asserting that individuals promoting genocide would face suspension.

Also Read: The Unholy Conflict Of The Holy Land – Explained!

A spokesperson for X informed CNN that the company has taken steps to bar pro-Nazi accounts from monetization, aiming to address concerns raised during the controversy.

Criticism extends beyond the content on the platform to Musk’s handling of the situation. Ross Gerber, CEO of wealth-management firm Gerber Kawasaki Inc., expressed concern over Musk’s actions, deeming them detrimental and damaging to the brand.

Elon Musk on Wednesday wrote "You have said the actual truth," in response to an X post that claimed Jewish communities support "dialectical hatred against whites."

Tesla stock sank on Thursday, losing tens of billions of dollars in market value. https://t.co/i5lPIHHiK2

— Ⓜ️Ⓜ️ Lauren Ashley Davis – OG Meidas Mighty 🇺🇦🌻 (@Meidas_LaurenA) November 17, 2023

Is Musk using his influence to normalise antisemitism and white pride!

The ongoing controversy also involves allegations of Musk engaging with posts supporting antisemitism and white pride on X, adding another layer to the growing scrutiny. Media Matters reported major tech companies, including Apple, Bravo, IBM, Oracle, and Xfinity, had their ads placed near antisemitic and pro-Nazi content on X.

The repercussions have extended beyond corporate withdrawals, with the White House condemning Musk’s “abhorrent promotion” of antisemitism. A coalition of over 150 rabbis has called for major companies, including Apple, Disney, Amazon, Oracle, and others, to cease advertising on the social network in response to Musk’s tweets.

As the controversy deepens, questions about X’s stance against hate speech and its future direction loom large, signaling a challenging period for Musk’s platform and its reputation. The impact of these events on user trust and the platform’s viability remains uncertain.