Elon Musk says many big advertisers are the 'greatest oppressors' of free speech after several pull ads from X in antisemitism controversy
Elon Musk sparked controversy after appearing to endorse an antisemitic post on the platform X.
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- Elon Musk said that many large advertisers are "oppressors" of free speech.
- His comment came after several corporations said they would pause ads on X amid an antisemitism controversy.
- Musk sparked controversy after appearing to endorse an antisemitic post on the platform.
Elon Musk said many large advertisers are "oppressors" of free speech after several corporations said they would pause ads on X amid an antisemitism controversy.
Musk posted encouraging users to sign up for the Premium+ version of X, which he said does not have ads, and added: "Many of the largest advertisers are the greatest oppressors of your right to free speech."
Apple, Disney, and IBM were among the major corporations who pulled ads from X after a controversial post from Musk appeared to endorse an antisemitic message.
Earlier this week, Musk responded to a post that criticized "western Jewish populations" and said Jewish people were pushing "hatred against whites."
"You have said the actual truth," Musk wrote in response.
The original post hinted at the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, which claims that nonwhite immigrants to Western countries are replacing white populations. The theory is often invoked against Jews who are pro-immigration.
Musk has faced widespread criticism for his comments, including Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz calling for him to step down from the six companies he is CEO of.
Amid the controversy, the nonprofit media watchdog group Media Matters put out a report saying it had found ads from big brands next to pro-Nazi content.
In response to the report, Musk said on Saturday that X will file a "thermonuclear" lawsuit against the organization.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino had tried to quell concerns about the platform, saying on Thursday: "When it comes to this platform -- X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination. There's no place for it anywhere in the world -- it's ugly and wrong. Full stop."