Inside Linda Yaccarino’s tumultuous tenure at X – Business News
Linda Yaccarino’s resignation from X as chief govt marked the top of a high-pressure — and at occasions emotional — two-year stint that insiders described as riddled with stress, battle and energy struggles, in line with a report.
At occasions, Yaccarino was reportedly tearful within the workplace, worn down by the overwhelming calls for of working underneath Elon Musk and the growing strain surrounding her function, the Financial Times reported over the weekend.
Yaccarino had claimed in an interview simply three weeks earlier than stepping down that “I’m the CEO of X and my boss remains the same.”
Details have emerged concerning the tense dynamic between X CEO Linda Yaccarino (proper) and her boss, Elon Musk. AP
But final Wednesday she introduced her departure, citing X’s merger with Musk’s AI enterprise xAI as a turning level and calling it a “new chapter” for the company.
Multiple people who labored with each Yaccarino and Musk stated the 2 had been basically mismatched.
“Sheryl [Sandberg] found the rhythm with Mark [Zuckerberg]. Linda couldn’t find the rhythm with Elon,” one source instructed FT, referring to the previous chief working officer of Meta’s relationship with the CEO.
Their contrasting kinds — Yaccarino’s polished promoting world background versus Musk’s unfiltered, hands-on management — clashed repeatedly.
“Elon calls all the shots,” an promoting govt who is aware of each Yaccarino and Musk instructed FT.
“She tried to ride the tiger but was thrown off.”
Yaccarino final week resigned from her function as X CEO after two years on the job. Getty Images for Vox Media
Another individual added, “He did not dig her style as a shiny, flashy Madison Avenue executive. He wants to have an authentic conversation and not be bullsh–ted.”
A breaking level reportedly got here early final 12 months, when Yaccarino helped secure a content material deal with former CNN anchor Don Lemon.
The association backfired after Lemon performed a contentious interview with Musk, asking if he used medicine. Musk canceled the deal, and Lemon is now suing for breach of contract.
The aborted content material deal with Don Lemon additionally proved to be a turning level within the Musk-Yaccarino relationship, in line with experiences. Instagram / @donlemonofficial
The inner rigidity and lack of authority reportedly took an emotional toll. Multiple people who labored with Yaccarino stated she was “at times being tearful in the office.”
One former colleague instructed FT: “She lasted two years in a job that would have crushed most people in two weeks.”
Though she managed to lure back some main advertisers like Apple, Google and Verizon, many within the industry questioned the sustainability and strategy behind the return.
“To her credit, she did get advertisers back to X,” one longtime govt instructed FT. “She did it with a gun, but they came back.”
Another added, “They did not return voluntarily or happily.”
Others criticized the platform’s underperformance.
“Many clients don’t advertise on X, not because of the content, but because it does not perform very well,” one govt instructed FT.
Sensor Tower reported some renewed advert energy, and Emarketer projected a income increase to $2.3 billion in 2025 — nonetheless far beneath the $4.1 billion in international gross sales earlier than Musk’s takeover.
People accustomed to the state of affairs stated that Musk and Yaccarino by no means “found the rhythm.” REUTERS
The Post has sought remark from X, Yaccarino and Musk.
Yaccarino’s priorities generally diverged from Musk’s, significantly round youngster security — a concern she reportedly believed Musk was not targeted on enough, in line with FT.
She in the end knowledgeable a small circle forward of time about her resignation, which occurred to coincide with xAI’s chatbot Grok publishing antisemitic content material, FT reported. X workers stated the 2 occasions had been unrelated.
Yaccarino’s challenges started as quickly as she took the job in 2023, leaving NBCUniversal to help restore the injury Musk’s $44 billion takeover of the platform had inflicted on advertiser relations.
Brands had fled the platform, citing Musk’s unstable habits and tolerance of poisonous content material. She was generally known as the “Velvet Hammer” within the industry, with a popularity for toughness and a highly effective Rolodex of model contacts.
Musk’s resolution to usher in Mahmoud Reza Banki to be chief financial officer of X spelled hassle for Yaccarino, in line with experiences. Facebook/Mahmoud Reza Banki
She scored some victories, securing offers with creators and sports activities leagues, upgrading X’s video options and laying the groundwork for a digital wallet known as X Money.
She additionally aggressively pursued advertisers — at one level suing their commerce group and firms like Shell and Pinterest, accusing them of an “illegal boycott.”
But regardless of her efforts, she by no means gained full control of the company. Musk retained final authority, even in areas core to her function like promoting, the FT reported.
He started making unilateral selections — banning hashtags in adverts, charging manufacturers primarily based on vertical advert measurement — and employed product chief Nikita Bier with out her enter, in line with FT.
Musk’s growing relationship with President Donald Trump created additional problems. His deal with politics quickly drew consideration away from X, offering Yaccarino some respiration room.
“What saved her was the election and Elon diving deep into the administration,” one one that labored with each instructed FT.
Yaccarino additionally cited X’s merger with Musk’s AI enterprise xAI. AFP by way of Getty Images
But as soon as Musk returned to business and pushed the $45 billion acquisition of X by xAI, her place turned more and more tenuous, it was reported.
Financial control was one other battleground. Musk introduced in Mahmoud Reza Banki as CFO, who reported on to Musk and bypassed Yaccarino.
Their relationship grew strained, particularly when Banki redirected funds away from creator and ad-tech investments — areas Yaccarino seen as essential, in line with FT.
Publicly, Yaccarino remained loyal to Musk, however insiders advised her fashion by no means resonated with him. Her deep ties to Trump, nevertheless, stay intact, in line with the FT.
She is reportedly close to Ivanka Trump, HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. One confidante stated she nonetheless helps Trump regardless of his falling-out with Musk.
Her subsequent transfer stays unclear. Some speculate she might be a part of the Trump administration or assume a public-facing function round free speech.
