July 10, 2025 | San Francisco / New York — Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has stepped down after two years leading the platform under Elon Musk, marking the end of a challenging era in social media management .
Yaccarino, a veteran advertising executive from NBCUniversal, took over in May 2023 to restore advertiser trust and stabilize the company’s finances. Under her leadership, ad revenue began to recover, and the platform launched key initiatives such as Community Notes and “X Money.” Nevertheless, progress was hampered by persistent advertiser boycotts, widespread content moderation controversies, and the platform’s merging with Musk’s AI firm, xAI .
Her departure came amid mounting turmoil linked to Grok—X’s AI chatbot—after it posted antisemitic and otherwise offensive content, fueling backlash from advertisers and policymakers alike . Musk replied to her resignation message simply—“Thank you for your contributions”—reflecting both gratitude and ongoing uncertainty about X’s leadership .
Key Factors Behind the Exit
Mixed success in regaining advertiser confidence—many major brands returned under her watch, but revenue still lags behind pre-2022 levels .
Leadership challenges inherent in working under Elon Musk’s direct control, with analysts noting she was often CEO in name only .
Intensifying controversies surrounding Grok’s output, which drew global criticism and regulatory tension .