Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), announced her resignation on Wednesday, marking the end of a turbulent two-year run at the Elon Musk-owned social media platform.
What she said:
In a post on X, Yaccarino, wrote:
“When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime… I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me.”
She did not provide a reason for her departure.
Catch up quick:
- Yaccarino joined X in May 2023, leaving her role as head of advertising at NBCUniversal.
- Her hiring came amid a mass advertiser exodus and backlash against Musk’s sweeping changes to the platform.
- She was tasked with stabilizing the business and repairing advertiser relationships.
The backdrop:
- Since buying Twitter for $44B in 2022, Musk has cut roughly 75% of staff, gutted moderation policies, and rebranded the company to X.
- Advertisers fled amid concerns about brand safety, political content, and Musk’s unpredictable behavior.
- Yaccarino was brought on as the business face of X, while Musk continued to lead product and vision.
Why it matters
Her departure highlights the challenges of managing a Musk-owned company, where top executives often rotate in and out.
She struggled with:
- Musk’s combative public statements, including vulgar messages to advertisers.
- Frequent policy shifts that unsettled brand partners.
- Balancing her leadership role with Musk’s dominant influence over the platform.
By the numbers:
- Musk claims that over 96% of X’s top advertisers returned under Yaccarino.
- In March, Musk said X was sold to his AI startup xAI in an all-stock deal valuing X at $33B and xAI at $80B.
- xAI is reportedly seeking new funding at a $120B valuation.
What’s next
Yaccarino’s exit leaves a leadership vacuum as Musk continues reshaping X. It’s unclear who will replace her — or if Musk will reassume day-to-day control.
Source: New York Times
