Linda Yaccarino, the chief executive officer of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced her resignation after two years at the helm. Yaccarino, a former NBCUniversal advertising executive, took over as CEO of X in June 2023, replacing Elon Musk, who had been serving in the role since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
In a post on X, Yaccarino expressed her gratitude to Musk for entrusting her with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the “Everything App”. She stated, “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.” Yaccarino’s resignation comes after a tumultuous period for X, marked by controversy, the rollout of AI, and global scrutiny.
During her tenure, Yaccarino worked to repair X’s strained relationship with advertisers, many of whom had pulled out due to concerns over Musk’s rollback of content moderation policies. Despite her efforts, the platform has continued to face challenges, and Yaccarino’s departure marks the latest exit of a top executive from one of Musk’s companies. According to reports, at least 14 other top leaders from companies owned by Musk have departed over the past year, citing increasing chaos in the billionaire’s political and professional lives.
Yaccarino’s resignation has sparked speculation about the future of X and the impact of her departure on the platform. As the CEO, she played a crucial role in shaping the company’s direction and navigating its complex relationships with advertisers and users. Her exit may signal a significant shift in X’s strategy and operations under Musk’s leadership.
The exact reason behind Yaccarino’s departure remains unclear, but her resignation marks the end of an era for X. As the platform continues to evolve, users and advertisers will be watching closely to see how Musk’s vision for X unfolds without Yaccarino at the helm.
