X CEO Linda Yaccarino defends Elon Musk, and herself, at Code 2023
Sep 29, 2023
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Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X and former NBCUniversal executive, takes the spotlight in a riveting interview. She addresses tough questions about Elon Musk's controversial decisions, including potential subscription fees and recent layoffs in their election integrity team. Yaccarino shares insights on user metrics and promises profitability in 2024, while also facing criticism from former trust and safety head Yoel Roth. The conversation navigates the platform's evolving role in advertising and the complex dynamics of leadership at X.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, faced a confrontational interview where she appeared unprepared and combative, discussing controversial topics like Twitter's direction under Elon Musk's leadership and the extreme harassment faced by former employees.
Despite declining app downloads, Linda Yaccarino highlighted positive user engagement metrics at X, including a growing base of daily active users, increased content posting, and the implementation of brand safety and content moderation tools.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced in Linda Yakarena's Interview
Linda Yakarena, CEO of X, had a confrontational interview with CNBC, where she was unprepared to answer tough questions and became combative. The interview touched on controversial topics like Twitter's direction under Elon Musk's leadership, the risks of Yakarena's role, extreme harassment faced by former Twitter employees, and the company's strategies for user metrics and profitability. The interview was confrontational and led to tense exchanges regarding a potential subscription fee, suing the Anti-Defamation League, and cuts to the election integrity team.
Engagement and User Metrics at X
Despite declining app downloads and usage rankings, Linda Yakarena highlighted positive engagement metrics at X. She mentioned a growing base of daily active users, the increase in content posting since her tenure, and the implementation of brand safety and content moderation tools. Yakarena emphasized the progress made by X in adapting to consumer behavior and creating a platform that offers live global events, news, and cultural interaction.
Linda Yakarena's Role and Elon Musk's Influence
Linda Yakarena addressed the speculation surrounding her role as CEO and her relationship with Elon Musk. She emphasized that her position involves running the company and delivering the best user experience rather than focusing solely on advertising. Yakarena acknowledged the availability and support she receives from Musk, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and feedback within the organization. She rejected the notion that her role is merely a figurehead and expressed enthusiasm for the innovation and transformative potential of X.
Discussion on Trust and Safety, ADL, and Election Integrity
Linda Yakarena discussed the progress and dedication of X in maintaining trust and safety on the platform. She highlighted the team's focus on election integrity, preventive measures against disinformation, and partnerships with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). While addressing concerns raised by Elon Musk about a potential lawsuit against the ADL, Yakarena emphasized the importance of free expression and freedom of speech at X and the need for constructive conversations instead of headline-driven conflicts.
Today, we have a special episode for you. The Code Conference wrapped up this week, and the finale included a rare interview from my Code co-host and CNBC correspondent Julia Boorstin with X CEO Linda Yaccarino. To say the sit-down with Elon Musk’s No. 2 was confrontational would be an understatement.
Yaccarino appeared both unprepared to answer tough questions and very combative, especially when asked about comments from former trust and safety head Yoel Roth, who’s become an outspoken critic of the direction of the company since Elon took over. Roth spoke onstage at Code with Kara Swisher just an hour before, where he warned Yaccarino of the risks of the job and spoke about the extreme harassment he’s faced since leaving the company.
Yaccarino also gave us some updated stats on X user metrics and claimed the company would turn a profit in 2024. And of course, there were some very terse exchanges concerning whether Elon really plans to start charging a subscription fee to use the platform, if he seriously plans to sue the Anti-Defamation League, and the company’s recent cuts to its election integrity team. It’s a jaw-dropping interview, and you really have to listen to the whole thing.
Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today’s episode was produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt. It was edited by Callie Wright.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Editorial Director is Brooke Minters and our Executive Producer is Eleanor Donovan.