Elon Musk adjusts language to attract advertisers after controversial remark

Elon Musk has made headlines once again, this time at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in Cannes, France. The tech billionaire aimed to reassure ad groups and global brands over the future of X, his social media platform that has faced criticism and backlash from advertisers in the past.

Last year, some of the world’s largest advertisers, including Apple, IBM, Disney, and Sony, pulled their advertising from X following controversial comments made by Musk and instances of their ads appearing alongside toxic content. Musk’s trip to Israel to address accusations of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on the platform further fueled the fire.

In response to advertisers threatening to pull ads from X, Musk had previously told them to “go f— yourself.” However, at Cannes Lions, Musk clarified that his comments were not directed at advertisers as a whole but rather as a stance on free speech. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a global free speech platform where a wide range of opinions can be voiced.

Musk reaffirmed his commitment to supporting free speech over censorship for financial gain. He stated, “In some cases, there were advertisers who were insisting on censorship. At the end of the day, if we have to make a choice between censorship and losing money, or free speech and losing money, we’re going to choose the second.”

Despite earlier confrontations with advertisers, Musk acknowledged their right to choose where their ads appear and expressed a willingness to work with them. He stressed the need for X to be a public square for the world while also ensuring that content remains within legal boundaries.

With Musk’s presence at the Cannes Lions festival, accompanied by X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino, the tech mogul aims to mend relationships with ad groups and reassure them about the future of the platform. Musk’s evolution from defiant remarks to a more conciliatory tone reflects a nuanced approach to balancing free speech with advertiser interests.

Overall, Musk’s efforts at Cannes Lions signal a potential shift in his approach towards advertisers and the advertising industry as a whole. By emphasizing the importance of free speech and dialogue, Musk is striving to create a platform that accommodates diverse perspectives while maintaining ethical standards.