Apple and Disney have both halted their online advertising campaigns on X, formerly Twitter, after Elon Musk expressed support for an antisemitic tweet. This decision was confirmed by sources familiar with both companies’ moves. In addition, other companies like Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Global, Lions Gate Entertainment, and Comcast have also suspended their campaigns on the platform.
The decision to pause advertising on X was first reported by Axios and The New York Times. This move comes after a report from Media Matters for America highlighting how several big companies, including IBM, Bravo, Oracle, and Infinity, had their ads displayed next to content promoting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
In response to this, IBM immediately halted its online ad campaigns on X, stating that it has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination. As for Apple, Disney, and Oracle, they did not provide any comments on the matter.
A coalition of 163 Jewish leaders, activists, and academics issued a statement calling on businesses like Disney and Apple to stop funding X through their ad spend. This coalition had initially urged large advertisers to suspend their online advertising campaigns on X in September when Musk suggested filing a defamation lawsuit against the Anti-Defamation League.
On Friday, the White House publicly criticized Musk for promoting antisemitic behavior and spreading false information. Musk acknowledged the advertiser backlash on X and stated that clear calls for extreme violence are against the platform’s terms of service.
In a previous interview, Musk defended his right to say what he wants, even if it results in losing money. The controversy surrounding his posts has led to a significant backlash from both the public and the business community.
As the situation continues to unfold, the actions of these major companies and the responses from various stakeholders are drawing widespread attention.
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