Elon Musk’s Controversial Statements at DealBook Summit Conference
In a recent interview at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit conference, Elon Musk expressed his frustration with the advertiser boycott and accusations of antisemitism that have plagued social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk didn’t hold back his emotions, telling the advertisers who abandoned the platform to “go f— yourself.” He also directed a friendly but sarcastic greeting towards Disney CEO Bob Iger, who was present in the audience.
Discussion on Various Topics
The interview covered a wide range of subjects, including the recent ad boycott, the rollout of Tesla’s Cybertruck, Musk’s emotional state, the union drive at Tesla factories, and more. Musk displayed different sides of his personality throughout the interview, from combative and smug to philosophical and contemplative.
Apology for Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory Tweet
Musk apologized for a tweet he made earlier this month, which seemed to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory. He expressed regret and said, “I am quite sorry. I should in retrospect not have replied to that particular post.”
Musk’s Response to Advertiser Pullback
When asked about the advertisers’ decision to withdraw support, including Apple, IBM, and Lionsgate Entertainment, Musk seemed less remorseful. He called it “blackmailing” by advertisers and urged them not to advertise. Musk acknowledged that advertising is the main source of revenue for X and stated that the boycott could lead to the downfall of the platform. He said, “What this advertising boycott is going to do is kill the company, and the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company.”
Musk’s Boastful Claims and Controversial Statements
Musk boasted about Tesla’s electric vehicle sales, claiming they surpass those of all other automakers combined. He also made a controversial remark about OpenAI, stating it should be renamed “Super Closed Source for Maximum Profit AI.” Musk expressed mixed feelings about Sam Altman, who was recently ousted and then restored as CEO of OpenAI.
Musk’s Political Leanings and Unionization Push
Sorkin, the interviewer, tried to pin Musk down on his political stance and voting plans. Musk stated that he wouldn’t vote for President Biden if faced with a hypothetical choice between Biden and Donald Trump in the 2024 election. He also expressed his opposition to “pro-censorship” candidates and his dislike for unions, believing they create negativity within companies.