Elon Musk demands Bob Iger ‘be fired’ after Disney pulled ads from X
Elon Musk, the controversial owner of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has publicly demanded the firing of Disney CEO Bob Iger. This demand follows Disney's decision to withdraw advertisements from X, contributing to the platform's recent struggles.
Musk took to X to express his disapproval of Iger's leadership, suggesting that Disney founder Walt Disney would be displeased with the current direction of the company. Musk's comments align with his reputation for using his influential position to confront critics and opponents openly.
Disney's decision to halt advertising on X came after Musk endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory, leading to a backlash and subsequent ad withdrawals by several major companies. Musk responded to these departures with a defiant, profane message at The New York Times DealBook Summit, directly addressing the brands that have ceased advertising on X.
Bob Iger, during the summit, explained Disney's decision to stop advertising on X, citing concerns about the association with Musk and the platform's content direction. Under Iger’s leadership, Disney has seen significant growth and success, marked by key acquisitions like Star Wars, Marvel Studios, and Pixar.
Since Musk's takeover of X, the platform has seen an increase in hate speech, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Musk himself has been a contributor to the platform's controversial content, promoting baseless theories and attacking organizations like the Anti-Defamation League.
The loss of major advertisers has had a profound financial impact on X, with advertising being the primary source of revenue for the platform. Musk acknowledged the potential fatal consequences of the advertising boycott at the DealBook Summit, stating it could lead to the company's downfall.
Despite the challenging situation at X, Musk has not accepted personal responsibility for the platform's current state. Instead, he has shifted the blame to the advertisers, suggesting their withdrawal could be responsible for X's potential collapse.
This ongoing conflict highlights the complex dynamics of corporate responsibility, freedom of expression, and the influence of high-profile individuals in shaping public discourse and business decisions in today's digital landscape.