Apple follows in the footsteps of the European Union and IBM and has decided to pause, for the second time, all advertising on X/Twitter, according to a report published in Axios. The decision has been made after the publication of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories by its sole owner, Elon Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
Last Wednesday, November 15, Musk answered: “You told the truth” to a publication that claims that some Jewish communities are promoting hatred towards white people and that suggested that “Hitler was right.” The next day, the manager tried to back away suggesting—without offering evidence—that the Anti-Defamation League, the organization that seeks to stop defamation of the Jewish people, “unfairly attacks the majority of people in the West, even though the majority of people in the West support the Jewish people and Israel “.
He then assured that his comments They do not extend to all Jewish communities, but that “are not just limited to the Anti-Defamation League.” As a result, Tesla shares fell the next day, in apparent reaction to Elon Musk’s comments. The European Comission and IBM They also made the decision to pause their advertising on X/Twitter. The production company Lionsgate Entertainment It has also joined the advertising boycott of the social network.
Elon Musk confirmed months ago, during an audio conversation on the social network – known as Spaces-, that Apple is X/Twitter’s largest customer. He did so after ensuring that the company had resumed its advertising investment after the first lockdown at the end of last year.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino, in a futile attempt at damage control, published a text ensuring that they are actively combating anti-Semitism on the social network. Apparently the rules don’t apply to the sole owner of the place, of course.
Elon Musk, his apparent anti-Semitism and his hatred towards the Anti-Defamation League
Elon Musk has a special hatred towards the Anti-Defamation League, since, after the purchase of Twitter, They published a statement ensuring that hate content towards Jews, and other marginalized communities, has increased on the social network after the acquisition. They exemplified the unblocking of Kanye West—who was kicked out of the social network after posting anti-Semitic comments—and the reduction in investment and content moderation resources.
The Anti-Defamation League recommended companies that advertise on Twitter/X pause their investments until the social network takes moderation seriously and makes the necessary investment in resources aimed at actively combating anti-Semitic content.
This sparked the ire of Musk, who threatened to sue them for being responsible “for a 60% reduction in ad spend on Twitter.” The lawsuit was not filed after a meeting between the organization and Linda Yaccarino.