Elon Musk Appeals to Advertisers After Controversial Remarks

Elon Musk on Wednesday clarified some of the criticism he levied at major corporations who pulled advertising from his social media platform X while telling them “don’t advertise.”

During the Cannes Lions advertising event in Cannes, France, Mr. Musk was asked by Mark Read, the CEO of advertising firm WPP, about defiant remarks that Mr. Musk delivered seven months ago.

“Back in November, you had a message to us. You told us to go [expletive] ourselves,” Mr. Read said to the X owner. “Why did you say that? And what did you mean by that?”

In November 2023 at a New York Times-related event, Mr. Musk told advertisers who were trying to “blackmail” him “with money ... I hope they stop. Don’t advertise.” He then said, “Go [expletive] yourself ... is that clear? I hope it is.” He then appeared to single out Disney CEO Bob Iger, who had said he didn’t want his firm to be associated with X or Mr. Musk.

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