In a candid interview at a New York Times event, Elon Musk stirred discomfort in the room as he addressed the departure of advertisers from Twitter over anti-Semitic content. When questioned about advertisers leaving the platform, Musk, known for his unfiltered remarks, responded, “You don’t advertise. You don’t want them to advertise? No. What do you mean? If somebody’s going to try to blackmail me with advertising or blackmail me with money, go fuck yourself.”
The SpaceX and Tesla CEOs were unequivocal in expressing their disdain for those using advertising as leverage, reiterating, “Go fuck yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is.” Musk didn’t mince words when referencing Robert Iger, the chief executive of Walt Disney, who was present at the event and among those who withdrew their ads from Twitter.
Musk articulated his values, stating, “I care about the reality of goodness, not the perception of it. And what I see all over the place is people who care about looking good while doing evil. Fuck them.” The tech mogul’s unapologetic stance on principles over profit reflects his commitment to authenticity, even if it leaves a room full of people visibly uneasy. Musk’s willingness to speak his mind, regardless of potential repercussions, continues to make headlines and spark conversations.