Elon Musk, the owner of X, promptly responded to Linda Yaccarino’s resignation shortly after she made the official announcement on the social media platform.
In her farewell post, Yaccarino expressed her gratitude to Musk, stating: “When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company.” She continued, “I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.”
After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏.
When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me…
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) July 9, 2025
Musk’s Acknowledgment
In line with other followers of Yaccarino’s announcement, Musk took to the comment section of her resignation post, simply saying: “Thank you for your contributions.”
Public Reactions to Yaccarino’s Departure
Responses from netizens poured in regarding Musk’s remarks. One user asked, “Who is going to be the new CEO?” Another quipped, “Elon fired her. Isn’t it obvious?” A third inquired, “Who will replace Linda?” while a fourth wrote, “Why is she leaving Elon?”
Context Surrounding Yaccarino’s Exit
Timing of the Resignation
Yaccarino’s departure comes a day after Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, made headlines for frequently using offensive remarks, including references to Hitler, in response to tweets about flooding in Texas.
In March, Musk’s company xAI, which developed Grok, merged with X in an all-stock deal valued at $80 billion for the AI company and $33 billion for the social media platform. Yaccarino played a crucial role in navigating the complexities of advertising partnerships during this transformative period.
Her Background and Role
Previously with NBCUniversal, Yaccarino was the head of the company’s international advertising division. At X, she was primarily responsible for managing business operations and attempting to appease sponsors during significant shifts in the platform’s content moderation and safety guidelines.
Was There Tension Between Musk and Yaccarino?
In June 2024, Yaccarino hinted at growing antagonism between her and Musk, citing pressure from him to cut costs and increase revenue.
In August 2024, Yaccarino mentioned that X had filed a lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). According to X, GARM was allegedly planning an unlawful boycott against its advertisers. Shortly after the lawsuit, GARM announced it would cease operations.
