Most Innovative Companies What did Linda Yaccarino actually do at Elon Musk’s X?
Jul 17, 2025
Chris Stokel-Walker, a Fast Company writer, discusses Linda Yaccarino's exit as CEO of X and the challenges she faced under Elon Musk's leadership. He unpacks the turbulent aftermath and speculates on the company's trajectory. Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare, shares insights on the future of cybersecurity and how her company is evolving amidst geopolitical challenges. Their dynamic conversation touches on the intersection of technology, responsibility, and innovation in today's fast-changing landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Linda Yaccarino's Ineffective Tenure
- Linda Yaccarino had minimal tangible impact as CEO of X during her two-year tenure.
- She was essentially a puppet CEO constrained by Elon Musk's control and faced an impossible challenge.
Musk Undermined Yaccarino Constantly
- Elon Musk actively undermined Yaccarino by contradicting her messaging to advertisers.
- His controversial actions sabotaged efforts to stabilize X's business.
X as Musk's Personal Megaphone
- Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter (now X) was driven by personal motives, not business viability.
- X now functions more as Musk's personal megaphone than as a social media platform.