In a recent announcement, retail giant Walmart disclosed its decision to cease advertising on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. The company stated, “We’ve opted out of advertising on X as we’ve identified alternative platforms that better align with our customer outreach strategy.”
Walmart now stands alongside major corporations such as Disney and Apple, which have also withdrawn their advertisements from X. This move follows Elon Musk’s endorsement of a false claim on X, where a user accused members of the Jewish community of fostering animosity towards white individuals. Musk, a proponent of free speech on his platform, has faced criticism for allowing content that veers into what many perceive as “hate speech.”
Since Musk’s acquisition of X last year, the platform has encountered challenges in retaining advertisers. Despite Musk’s apology for supporting the controversial X post targeting the Jewish community, he later criticized companies halting ads on X, accusing them of engaging in blackmail.
Insiders from a prominent ad-buying agency, opting for anonymity, revealed that X’s ad sales representatives expressed frustration following Musk’s tirade against brands. Additionally, these representatives have remained tight-lipped about their perspectives on Musk’s statements.
Media Matters reported instances of major brands, including Apple, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros Discovery, having their ads displayed alongside anti-Semitic content, prompting the ongoing advertiser boycott. Responding to this, supporters of Elon Musk have initiated counter-boycotts, such as canceling Disney+ subscriptions, as a form of protest against these platforms.
