Let us talk about Elon Musk’s appearance at this New York Times deal book summit event. He gave an interview at that event. It was about an hour long. He spoke about a lot of things. But the quote that is floating around is when Elon Musk told advertisers to F–K off.
The interviewer asked Elon about his trip to Israel and how many people perceive it as an apology tour. Because of the tweet that Elon re-tweeted and posted. The collective media said those tweets and Elon were anti-Semitic.
Elon tried to get the heat off himself over this anti-Semitic narrative by visiting Israel. The advertisers of the likes of Disney said they would put out of Twitter. Because of the FAR-Right leanings of Twitter and how Elon allow the Far-Right ideology to thrive on twitter. Elon basically said to the advertisers to go F–k themselves.
Elon actually even mentioned Bob, the CEO of Disney. He asked to confirm that he is being blackmailed for money. Elon got angry and expressed himself. He refused to be blackmailed by the advertisers. The follow up was actually very interesting. Because he asked what happen to twitter, if advertisers actually pulled out, He said in that case twitter will close down. everybody there hearing that, were shocked. Even the CEO of twitter was actually sitting in the front row of the audience. He was ask if he will be blamed if twitter closed down. He said the advertisers will be blamed for that.
What I would have asked Elon is one very simple question and that will be why did he go to Israel. It think that is the question they should be asking him. Though he might answer that he wanted to see how thing are in Israel.
I would also like to ask him why he didn’t go for an hour or two into Gaza even though it could be dangerous. He could have spoken to Israeli authorities as well as Hamas to make arrangement for him to visit Gaza for an hour or two. That way it will look like he is being objective. Because he will put out videos of his visit to both sides. It would have made a better impression if he had visited both sides.
I think Elon’s Public Relations team did not do a good job. Because Nobody understood why he was in Israel all of a sudden. Everyone were giving their thoughts and opinion on why he did. His PR team did not get ahead of the story. They should have come out with a press release or announced the trip. To say Elon is visiting Israel for X, Y and Z reasons. To control the narrative a bit. I think this has put him in a difficult position. Even though I agree with him that the advertising companies are blackmailing him.
I would advise Elon to figure out a way to make twitter X advertising proof. To not be so dependent on big mutinational advertiser.
It is good on Elon for being very open and honest.
