Linda Yaccarino Is Out as CEO of X

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Summary

  • Linda Yaccarino resigns as CEO of X, stepping down after two years
  • Her tenure was challenged by Musk’s hands-on style and public controversies
  • Her departure signals a new phase for X as it deepens its merger with Musk’s xAI

In a significant shakeup, Linda Yaccarino has formally left her position as CEO of X (previously known as Twitter), following a two-year stint that saw her make relentless efforts to strengthen the advertising business amidst the turbulent leadership style of Elon Musk, its owner. Her resignation underscores the intricate difficulties involved in leading a company under such an active and vocal principal, shedding light on the complex relationship dynamics with Musk.

As a dedicated marketing professional, boasting over a decade’s experience at NBCUniversal, I was honored when Musk invited me aboard in June 2023. My mission was crystal clear: to rebuild trust among advertisers and transform X into his vision of the “Everything App.” Throughout my tenure, I spearheaded projects such as Community Notes and prepared for the launch of X Money. I couldn’t help but marvel at the remarkable business transformation our team had achieved, prioritizing user safety and rebuilding advertiser trust. I felt incredibly grateful to Musk, considering this opportunity a lifetime achievement. I expressed my sincere thanks to him for entrusting me with the task of safeguarding free speech.

Despite serving as CEO, Yaccarino’s role under Elon Musk was frequently questioned and often characterized as unusually difficult. Although she held the title, many industry analysts, such as Forrester research director Mike Proulx, argue that Musk maintained ultimate control over X, effectively making Yaccarino a CEO in name only. This situation often left Yaccarino playing a supporting role to Musk’s dominant personality, requiring her to handle controversies arising from his content moderation policies and unfiltered public statements. On numerous occasions, she vigorously defended Musk’s methods, even during ongoing legal disputes with advertisers who temporarily halted their spending due to worries about hate speech on the platform.

Her departure occurs at a crucial moment for X, following closely on the heels of Musk’s integration of the social media platform with his artificial intelligence company, xAI, only a few months ago. The latest turmoil surrounding xAI’s chatbot, Grok, which allegedly published offensive content against Jewish people, underscores the intricate nature of the situation. Yaccarino has not disclosed her reasons for leaving, but her decision to part ways suggests a fresh start for X as it further entwines itself with Musk’s AI projects, and for Yaccarino as she embarks on new opportunities.

After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏.

When Elon Musk initially shared his vision for X with me, I recognized it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of an exceptional endeavor spearheaded by this company. I am deeply thankful to him for placing his trust in me.

— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) July 9, 2025

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2025-07-10 16:26