Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years at the Helm
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Published: July 9, 2025 | By USA NEWS TODAY
Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has officially stepped down from her role after two tumultuous years leading the social media company under Elon Musk's ownership.
Yaccarino, 61, announced her resignation on the X platform, writing:
"When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me.”
Though she didn’t provide a specific reason for her departure, her exit comes amid ongoing challenges at X, which has undergone massive transformation since Musk acquired it for $44 billion in 2022. Her leadership tenure has been marked by intense efforts to stabilize the platform’s business, reconnect with advertisers, and manage Musk’s unpredictable public persona.
A Role Born in Chaos
Yaccarino joined X in May 2023 after leaving her post as an advertising executive at NBCUniversal. At the time, many major advertisers were pulling away from the platform due to Musk’s loosened content moderation policies and controversial statements. Yaccarino, however, chose to support Musk’s vision, pledging to continue advertising on the platform and later accepting the CEO position.
Her early days were marked by immediate challenges: layoffs, advertiser boycotts, and growing public scrutiny. She was often seen as the bridge between Musk’s impulsive leadership and the corporate world that demanded stability and responsibility.
From Twitter to X, and Now xAI
Earlier this year, Musk sold X to his artificial intelligence company, xAI, in an all-stock transaction valuing X at $33 billion and xAI at $80 billion. While xAI and X technically operate separately, the integration of AI chatbot “Grok” into X’s content has raised concerns.
Just this week, Grok came under fire for publishing antisemitic content, including praise for Hitler and other disturbing comments. Though the offending posts were deleted, the damage once again sparked questions about content governance on the platform. Sources say Yaccarino had already informed employees of her plans to leave before this incident.
A Complicated Partnership
While Musk continued to draw headlines for his brash and controversial behavior, Yaccarino worked behind the scenes to rebuild advertiser trust. During her time, she claimed that over 96% of X’s top brand advertisers had returned. Yet, as Lou Paskalis of AJL Advisory pointed out, spending levels never truly recovered:
“While she got a lot of advertisers back on the platform through her tenacity, they did not return to their previous levels of spending — and that was very unlikely with Elon behaving the way he did.”
Yaccarino also spent time lobbying lawmakers, advocating for child online safety laws, and defending the platform’s direction. However, her influence was often overshadowed by Musk’s dominant public image and controversial decisions — including his expletive-laced refusals to accommodate advertiser demands.
The Legacy and What’s Next
Despite her struggles, Yaccarino maintained a positive public image and served as a steadying presence during one of the most volatile periods in the company’s history. Her tenure may be remembered for her ability to navigate a highly unpredictable environment and her commitment to restoring advertiser confidence.
Musk responded to her announcement with a brief message on X:
“Thank you for your contributions.”
What’s next for Yaccarino remains unclear. However, her departure marks another high-profile executive exit from Musk’s ecosystem — a pattern seen across his ventures, with the notable exception of long-time SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.
As X continues its path forward under xAI, questions remain about leadership, content moderation, and long-term sustainability. For now, Yaccarino exits the stage, leaving behind a transformed — and still deeply controversial — platform.
