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X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns after two years at the helm of Elon Musk’s social media platform

X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns after two years at the helm of Elon Musk’s social media platform
X Corp's CEO Linda Yaccarino attends a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on online child sexual exploitation at the US Capitol in Washington on January 31, 2024. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 10 July 2025

X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns after two years at the helm of Elon Musk’s social media platform

X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns after two years at the helm of Elon Musk’s social media platform
  • Yaccarino announced her resignation in a post, saying “the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter”
  • Elon Musk hired Yaccarino, a veteran ad executive, in May 2023 after buying Twitter for $44 billion

X CEO Linda Yaccarino said she’s stepping down after two bumpy years running Elon Musk’s social media platform.
Yaccarino posted a positive message Wednesday about her tenure at the company formerly known as Twitter and said “the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with” Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, maker of the chatbot Grok. She did not say why she is leaving.
Musk responded to Yaccarino’s announcement with his own 5-word statement on X: “Thank you for your contributions.”
“The only thing that’s surprising about Linda Yaccarino’s resignation is that it didn’t come sooner,” said Forrester research director Mike Proulx. “It was clear from the start that she was being set up to fail by a limited scope as the company’s chief executive.”
In reality, Proulx added, Musk “is and always has been at the helm of X. And that made Linda X’s CEO in title only, which is a very tough position to be in, especially for someone of Linda’s talents.”
Musk hired Yaccarino, a veteran ad executive, in May 2023 after buying Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022 and cutting most of its staff. He said at the time that Yaccarino’s role would be focused mainly on running the company’s business operations, leaving him to focus on product design and new technology. Before announcing her hiring, Musk said whoever took over as the company’s CEO ” must like pain a lot.”
In accepting the job, Yaccarino was taking on the challenge of getting big brands back to advertising on the social media platform after months of upheaval following Musk’s takeover. She also had to work in a supporting role to Musk’s outsized persona on and off of X as he loosened content moderation rules in the name of free speech and restored accounts previously banned by the social media platform.
“Being the CEO of X was always going to be a tough job, and Yaccarino lasted in the role longer than many expected. Faced with a mercurial owner who never fully stepped away from the helm and continued to use the platform as his personal megaphone, Yaccarino had to try to run the business while also regularly putting out fires,” said Emarketer analyst Jasmine Enberg.
Yaccarino’s future at X became unclear earlier this year after Musk merged the social media platform with his artificial intelligence company, xAI. And the advertising issues have not subsided. Since Musk’s takeover, a number of companies had pulled back on ad spending — the platform’s chief source of revenue — over concerns that Musk’s thinning of content restrictions was enabling hateful and toxic speech to flourish.
Most recently, an update to Grok led to a flood of antisemitic commentary from the chatbot this week that included praise of Adolf Hitler.
“We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts,” the Grok account posted on X early Wednesday, without being more specific.
Some experts have tied Grok’s behavior to Musk’s deliberate efforts to mold Grok as an alternative to chatbots he considers too “woke,” such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. In late June, he invited X users to help train the chatbot on their commentary in a way that invited a flood of racist responses and conspiracy theories.
“Please reply to this post with divisive facts for @Grok training,” Musk said in the June 21 post. “By this I mean things that are politically incorrect, but nonetheless factually true.”
A similar instruction was later baked into Grok’s “prompts” that instruct it on how to respond, which told the chatbot to “not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.” That part of the instructions was later deleted.
“To me, this has all the fingerprints of Elon’s involvement,” said Talia Ringer, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Yaccarino has not publicly commented on the latest hate speech controversy. She has, at times, ardently defended Musk’s approach, including in a lawsuit against liberal advocacy group Media Matters for America over a report that claimed leading advertisers’ posts on X were appearing alongside neo-Nazi and white nationalist content. The report led some advertisers to pause their activity on X.
A federal judge last year dismissed X’s lawsuit against another nonprofit, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which has documented the increase in hate speech on the site since it was acquired by Musk.
X is also in an ongoing legal dispute with major advertisers — including CVS, Mars, Lego, Nestle, Shell and Tyson Foods — over what it has alleged was a “massive advertiser boycott” that deprived the company of billions of dollars in revenue and violated antitrust laws.
Enberg said that, “to a degree, Yaccarino accomplished what she was hired to do.” Emarketer expects X’s ad business to return to growth in 2025 after more than halving between 2022 and 2023 following Musk’s takeover.
But, she added, “the reasons for X’s ad recovery are complicated, and Yaccarino was unable to restore the platform’s reputation among advertisers.”
Analysts have said that some advertisers may have returned to X to avoid alienating Trump supporters during the height of Musk’s affiliation with the president and his base. Legal threats may have also played a part — whether from X or from the Federal Trade Commission, which is investigating Media Matters over its reporting that hateful content has increased on X since Musk took over, resulting in an advertiser exodus. Media Matters has in turn sued the FTC, claiming it seeks to punish protected speech.


Journalist Mariam Dagga’s final images show where she was killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza

Journalist Mariam Dagga’s final images show where she was killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza
Updated 29 August 2025

Journalist Mariam Dagga’s final images show where she was killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza

Journalist Mariam Dagga’s final images show where she was killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza
  • Dagga and other reporters regularly based themselves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis during the war
  • She documented the experiences of ordinary Palestinians who had been displaced

GAZA CITY: The last photos taken by Mariam Dagga show the damaged stairwell outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip where she would be killed by an Israeli strike moments later.

Dagga, a visual journalist who freelanced for The Associated Press, was among 22 people, including five reporters, killed Monday when Israeli forces struck Nasser Hospital twice in quick succession, according to health officials.

The photos, retrieved from her camera on Wednesday, show people walking up the staircase after it was damaged in the first strike while others look out the windows of the main health facility in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military said it targeted what it believed was a Hamas surveillance camera, without providing evidence. Witnesses and health officials said the first strike killed a cameraman from the Reuters news agency doing a live television shot and a second person who was not named. A senior Hamas official denied that Hamas was operating a camera at the hospital.

Dagga, 33, and other reporters regularly based themselves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis during the war. She documented the experiences of ordinary Palestinians who had been displaced from their homes, and doctors who treated wounded or malnourished children.

Algeria’s ambassador to the United Nations, his voice breaking and on the verge of tears, read a letter Wednesday to the UN Security Council that Dagga wrote days before she was killed.

It was addressed to her 13-year-old son, Ghaith, who left Gaza at the start of the war to live with his father in the United Arab Emirates.

Holding up a photo of Dagga, Amar Bendjama called her “a young and beautiful mother” whose only weapon was a camera.

“Ghaith. You are the heart and soul of your mother,” Bendjama quoted Dagga as writing. “When I die, I want you to pray for me, not to cry for me.”

“I want you never, never to forget me. I did everything to keep you happy and safe and when you grow, when you marry, and when you have a daughter, name her Mariam after me.”


Journalists rally in London to support colleagues in Gaza

Journalists rally in London to support colleagues in Gaza
Updated 29 August 2025

Journalists rally in London to support colleagues in Gaza

Journalists rally in London to support colleagues in Gaza
  • Protesters deliver letter to PM Starmer demanding accountability and stepped up UK action to protect media workers
  • Letter said more than 200 journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 

LONDON: Journalists in the UK rallied Wednesday in central London in solidarity with colleagues in Gaza, in the wake of two Israeli military strikes earlier this week that killed five journalists.
Members of Britain’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) gathered outside the Downing Street office and residence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, delivering a letter demanding accountability and stepped up UK action to protect media workers.
Attendees then held a vigil, reading aloud the names of more than 200 journalists that press watchdogs have counted as killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and subsequent Israeli military response.
Monday’s strikes in southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis killed at least 20 people, including the five reporters who worked for Al Jazeera, the Associated Press and Reuters, among other outlets.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration held by the London Freelance branch of the National Union of Journalists to honor journalists killed in Gaza, opposite Downing Street in London on Aug. 27, 2025. (AP)

The Israeli military said Tuesday its forces were targeting a camera operated by Hamas in the assault, which has triggered a wave of international condemnation.
It is the latest military action by Israel that has killed journalists, leading to accusations that they are being deliberately targeted.
The NUJ announced earlier this week that its members would join sister unions around the world in what it called “48 hours of solidarity action in support of journalists working in Gaza,” which started Tuesday.
“We’re here to show solidarity, and to show that we are horrified as fellow journalists about what’s happening,” said Deborah Hobson, a freelance journalist and NUJ member who helped organize the vigil and letter delivered to Starmer.
She called his center-left government’s response to the latest killings of journalists, as well as prior incidents, “extremely poor.”
“There’s nothing that says that the UK is horrified,” Hobson said.
“We have a prime minister who’s a human rights lawyer,” she added, referring to Starmer’s career prior to entering politics.
“We expect better from a Labor government in any case, because of its historical reputation in terms of justice, equality.”

A photo of the letter protesters' letter from representatives of the London Freelance branch of the National Union of Journalists to the UK government on August 27, 2025. (AFP)

The UK government has in recent months suspended arms export licenses to Israel for use in Gaza, suspended free trade talks with Israel and sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers in protest at Israel’s conduct of the war.
Last week, it was one of 27 countries to call on Israel to allow “immediate independent foreign media access” into Gaza.
Mike Holderness, a writer and editor, said he had turned out “to honor and remember our colleagues, as well as demanding the strongest measures of protection” for journalists still working in Gaza and elsewhere.
“The vigil is to honor the memory of those who’ve given their lives to trying to report the truth.”


‘More questions than answers:’ Media watchdog urges ‘complete, independent’ investigation into Israel’s killing of 5 journalists

‘More questions than answers:’ Media watchdog urges ‘complete, independent’ investigation into Israel’s killing of 5 journalists
Updated 28 August 2025

‘More questions than answers:’ Media watchdog urges ‘complete, independent’ investigation into Israel’s killing of 5 journalists

‘More questions than answers:’ Media watchdog urges ‘complete, independent’ investigation into Israel’s killing of 5 journalists
  • Committee to Protect Journalists contested Israeli claims about the incident, calling them ‘incomplete’ and ‘inadequate’
  • ‘In not a single case over 24 years has anyone in Israel ever been held accountable for the killing of a journalist:’ CPJ CEO

LONDON: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday called on Israeli authorities to guarantee a “complete” and “independent” investigation into the killing of five journalists in Gaza.

Israel struck Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and others.

Photojournalists Hossam Al-Masri, Mohammad Salama and Mariam Dagga, along with journalists Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz, died after an Israeli explosive drone targeted the medical complex.

“Israel’s initial report leaves many more questions than answers and does not explain why an Israeli tank fired on Reuters camera operator Hossam Al-Masri and the news agency’s visible, live-feed camera that had been filming from that location daily for several weeks,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg.

“Nor does it explain why first responders — including other journalists — were targeted in an apparent so-called ‘double tap’ strike on the same location. The indiscriminate and disproportionate nature of the attack demand that this incident be investigated as an apparent war crime.”

A “double tap” is a controversial military tactic designed to maximize casualties by striking first responders such as medical personnel, rescue workers and journalists.

Reconstruction of the incident revealed that what was initially described as a second “tap” was actually two almost simultaneous strikes, both fired nine minutes after the first. These subsequent impacts appear responsible for the majority of fatalities

Following global condemnation, the Israeli military stated the back-to-back strikes were ordered because soldiers believed militants were using the camera to observe Israeli forces. Israel has long asserted that Hamas and other militant groups take shelter in hospitals.

The military’s chief of general staff acknowledged “gaps” in the investigation so far, including questions about the type of ammunition used to disable the camera. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killing as a “tragic mishap.”

CPJ contested these claims, calling Israel’s explanation “incomplete” and “inadequate” given the scale of the tragedy. The watchdog also highlighted inconsistencies in statements from the Israeli leadership, including those from Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces.

The group warned that the lack of transparency “undermines Israel’s moral duty and obligations under international law” to protect journalists, adding that the incident reflected a “wider, deeply troubling pattern of lethal attacks on the media.”

“Our experience over decades is that Israeli-led investigations into killings are neither transparent nor independent — and in not a single case over the past 24 years has anyone in Israel ever been held accountable for the killing of a journalist,” Ginsberg said. “We demand a full, transparent and independent investigation to ensure accountability for this attack and any violations of international humanitarian law.”

The CPJ’s call for accountability comes amid a broader debate over the role of Western media during the Gaza conflict.

Reuters and the Associated Press have faced criticism for distancing themselves from the journalists killed by labeling them as contractors rather than employees — reflecting widespread contractual complexities in the industry. Critics argue this approach undermines the legitimacy of Palestinian journalists, who have endured a prolonged smear campaign by Israel.

Both agencies have also been accused of uncritically repeating Israeli justifications for the strike without sufficient challenge or contextualization. Fellow journalists have criticized the newswires for perceived hypocrisy, opportunism and bias.

Canadian photojournalist Valerie Zink resigned from Reuters after eight years, accusing the agency of “betraying journalists in Gaza” and “enabling the systematic assassination” of media workers. Zink stated she could no longer “wear this press pass with anything but deep shame and grief” as international criticism intensifies over Western media’s perceived failure to hold Israel accountable for atrocities in Gaza.


Dubai announces $1M global AI film award with Google

Dubai announces $1M global AI film award with Google
Updated 28 August 2025

Dubai announces $1M global AI film award with Google

Dubai announces $1M global AI film award with Google
  • Contest aims to highlight the potential of AI in filmmaking, with creativity, realism, and storytelling among the core judging criteria
  • Entries will be evaluated on the storytelling quality, creative use of AI, technical execution, and the film’s ability to deliver a humanitarian message

DUBAI: Dubai has announced a $1 million award for short films generated entirely by artificial intelligence in collaboration with Google’s Gemini as part of the 1 Billion Followers Summit.

The winning short film will take home the grand prize, while the top 10 competing films will be screened during the fourth edition of the summit, set to take place in Dubai from Jan. 9 to 11, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, the UAE Media Government Office, which organizes the event, said the contest aims to highlight the potential of AI in filmmaking, with creativity, realism, and storytelling among the core judging criteria.

Submitted entries must be fully generated using AI tools, and will be evaluated on the quality of storytelling, creative use of AI, technical execution, and the film’s ability to deliver a humanitarian message.

Further details about the competition will be announced next month, the office added.

“The Summit aims to support and encourage the production of purposeful films using diverse AI tools, raise awareness of the humanitarian messages such films should convey, and enhance creative capabilities, aesthetic vision, and advanced skills in integrating AI into film production,” the office said in a statement.

Organizers added that competition will focus on short films, given their powerful ability to deliver impactful messages to audiences.

UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al-Gergawi said the summit is part of the country’s efforts to help drive the “content economy.”

He added: “The content economy is an economic power with limitless horizons. Today, the UAE is not only keeping pace with its developments but is also leading and charting new directions within that economy.”

As part of this, the UAE also allocated $13.6 million to fund creative projects by content creators. It will provide grants for projects with global cultural and economic impact and back joint ventures to establish companies led by content creators or creative tech developers. 

An additional $13.6 million has been dedicated to help startups and content creators pitch their ideas to top investors and companies, who will sponsor and invest in the most promising proposals.

Held under the theme “Content for Good,” the summit brings together top content creators, leading tech firms, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to foster global networking and empower creators with a supportive environment to scale and thrive internationally. The upcoming edition will feature 400 speakers with a combined following of over 3 billion followers.


US diplomat apologizes for using the word ‘animalistic’ in reference to Lebanese reporters

US diplomat apologizes for using the word ‘animalistic’ in reference to Lebanese reporters
Updated 28 August 2025

US diplomat apologizes for using the word ‘animalistic’ in reference to Lebanese reporters

US diplomat apologizes for using the word ‘animalistic’ in reference to Lebanese reporters
  • Barrack said he did not intend to use the word “in a derogatory manner” but that his comments had been “inappropriate”
  • At the start of a press conference at the presidential palace, journalists shouted at Barrack to move to the podium

BEIRUT: A US diplomat apologized Thursday for using the word “animalistic” while calling for a gaggle of reporters to quiet down during a press conference in Lebanon earlier this week.

Tom Barrack, who is the US ambassador to Turkiye and envoy to Syria and has also been on a temporary assignment in Lebanon, said he didn’t intend to use the word “in a derogatory manner” but that his comments had been “inappropriate.”

Barrack visited Beirut along with a delegation of US officials on Tuesday to discuss efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm the Hezbollah militant group and implementation of the ceasefire agreement that ended the latest war between Israel and the Hezbollah in November.

At the start of a press conference at the presidential palace, journalists shouted at Barrack to move to the podium after he started speaking from another spot in the room. After taking the podium Barrack told the crowd of journalists to “act civilized, act kind, act tolerant.” He threatened to end the conference early otherwise.

“The moment that this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we’re gone,” said Barrack.

The comment sparked an outcry, with the Lebanese press syndicate calling for an apology and calling for a boycott of Barrack’s visits if none was issued. The Presidential Palace also issued a statement expressing regret for the comments made by “one of our guests” and thanking journalists for their “hard work.”

In an interview with Mario Nawfal, a media personality on the X platform, an excerpt of which was published Thursday, Barrack said, “Animalistic was a word that I didn’t use in a derogatory manner, I was just saying ‘can we calm down, can we find some tolerance and kindness, let’s be civilized.’ But it was inappropriate to do when the media was just doing their job.”

He added, “I should have been more generous with my time and more tolerant myself.”

Barrack’s visit came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces could begin withdrawing from territory they hold in southern Lebanon after the Lebanese government’s decided to disarm Hezbollah. When, how and in what order the Hezbollah disarmament in Israeli withdrawal would take place remain in dispute.

The Israeli army on Thursday launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon that it said were targeting “terrorist infrastructure and a rocket platform” belonging to Hezbollah.