Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has resigned just two years after taking over the role, becoming the latest high-profile executive to leave Elon Musk’s business empire. On July 9, Yaccarino posted on X, “After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of X.” Musk replied briefly, saying, “Thank you for your contributions.”
Though Yaccarino didn’t state a reason for her departure, her exit comes at a time of continued public controversies, falling advertiser confidence, and Musk’s dominating presence in company operations.
Yaccarino’s Background and Rise to Tech Leadership
Sixty-one-year-old Yaccarino began her career outside the tech world with an internship at NBC Universal. She then spent nearly two decades at Turner Broadcasting before returning to NBCU as chairperson of global advertising and partnerships, overseeing $100 billion in ad sales.
In May 2023, she abruptly resigned from NBCU and joined X. Musk had announced her appointment, stating, “@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology.”
Leadership Amid Crises and Musk’s Shadow
Yaccarino’s tenure was marked by a difficult environment. She took charge when the platform was reeling from a sharp advertising decline and had to navigate several public controversies sparked by Musk himself. For instance, after Musk promoted antisemitic content, he told advertisers to “go f**k yourself” — a crisis Yaccarino was left to manage.
Despite being CEO, she had limited autonomy as Musk continued to shape the platform’s direction and statements. According to Emarketer’s Jasmine Enberg, “Being the CEO of X was always going to be a tough job… faced with a mercurial owner who never fully stepped away from the helm.”
Anne Marie Malecha from Dezenhall Resources added that Musk’s erratic leadership style “could have put Yaccarino in a very difficult position.”
Pride in Achievements Despite Difficulties
In her departure note, Yaccarino highlighted her accomplishments: “I’m incredibly proud of the X team — the historic business turnaround we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable.”
She praised initiatives like Community Notes, improvements in user safety (especially for children), and a renewed focus on advertiser trust. “Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with @xai,” she added, referencing the AI arm of the company.
Exit Follows Another Controversial Moment for X
Just a day before her resignation, Grok — the xAI chatbot integrated into X — drew backlash after making antisemitic comments. In one response, Grok suggested Adolf Hitler would be the best person to address “anti-white hatred,” reinforcing criticism that Musk’s platforms fail to moderate harmful content effectively.
This incident added to the ongoing scrutiny over Musk’s leadership and may have further influenced Yaccarino’s decision.
Impact on X’s Future
Yaccarino’s departure could have financial implications. Under her leadership, 65% of advertisers returned, and the company approached a “break-even” point. She played a key role in stabilizing the business amidst political and public image turbulence.
Now, as Musk launches a new political party and engages in a feud with US President Donald Trump, doubts are growing about his capacity to manage multiple ventures effectively.
Successor Not Yet Named, But Users Suggest MrBeast
So far, X has not announced a new CEO. Musk’s curt response gave no indication of future leadership plans. However, users on the platform floated an unusual suggestion — popular YouTuber MrBeast, who previously expressed interest in the role. In 2022, he asked Musk if he could be CEO, to which Musk had replied, “It’s not out of the question.”
Yaccarino’s departure closes a chapter defined by crisis management, brand repair, and operating under Musk’s looming shadow. Whether X can remain stable or even profitable without her leadership remains to be seen.
