Musk tells advertisers 'go f**k yourself' as they flee Twitter over antisemitism

30 November 2023 , 11:30

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Elon Musk has told advertisers to "go f**k yourself" as they flee Twitter after he was accused of endorsing an antisemitic post.

The billionaire has accused firms who have stopped spending on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in response to antisemitic and other hateful material of engaging in "blackmail".

Musk's comments came two days after he visited Israel, where he toured a kibbutz attacked by Hamas militants and held talks with top leaders.

In an on-stage interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit, Musk was told by host Andrew Ross Sorkin: "You're clarifying this now, but there was a public perception that that was part of an apology tour, if you will... that this had been said online, there was all of the criticism, there were advertisers..."

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Musk tells advertisers 'go f**k yourself' as they flee Twitter over antisemitism

During an interview with the New York Times columnist Andrew Sorkin, he hit back at advertisers (Getty Images)

"I hope they stop," Musk interjected. "Don't advertise. If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f** yourself."

To titters in the audience, he added: "Go f\** yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is." Musk also apologised for endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory in response to a post on X that helped fuel an advertiser exodus.

Elon Musk launched into a bizarre outburst on stage (Getty Images for The New York Ti)

Musk has faced accusations from the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish civil rights organisation, and others of tolerating antisemitic messages on the platform since buying it last year.

The content on X has gained increased scrutiny since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October.

A slew of big brands, including Disney and IBM, this month stopped advertising on the platform after a report by liberal advocacy group Media Matters said their ads were appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and white nationalist posts.

X has since sued Media Matters, saying the Washington-based nonprofit manufactured the report to "drive advertisers from the platform and destroy X Corp".

Musk hit back at companies such as Disney (Getty Images)

It comes after Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis refused to condemn Elon Musk‘s post endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory, maintaining on Sunday that he wasn’t familiar with the post despite it prompting major companies to pull advertising from the billionaire’s X social media platform.

“I did not see the comment,” DeSantis, the governor of Florida, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “And so, I know that Elon has had a target on his back ever since he purchased Twitter because I think he’s taking it in a direction that a lot of people who are used to controlling the narrative don’t like.”

Disney boss Bob Iger has pulled ads from Twitter (Getty Images for The New York Ti)

“I know you tried to read it. I have no idea what the context is,” said DeSantis who was joining the show via videoconference . “I know Elon Musk. I have never seen him do anything. I think he’s a guy that believes in America. I have never seen him indulge in any of that. So it’s surprising, if that’s true, but I have not seen it. So I don’t want to sit there and pass judgment on the fly.”

The governor also said he opposes antisemitism “across the board,” no matter if it comes from the right or left of the ideological spectrum. “It’s wrong no matter what,” DeSantis said.