In a recent interview at the Code Conference, X CEO Linda Yaccarino appeared unaware of Elon Musk’s plan to charge users a small monthly fee for the platform’s services. When asked about the impact of this potential shift on X’s ad-reliant business model, Yaccarino seemed flustered and asked for clarification on Musk’s statement. Despite her background in advertising and partnership, Yaccarino failed to address the questions directly and did not provide any insight into the proposed subscription model or its implications for X’s user base. The interview highlighted a potential lack of communication between Yaccarino and Musk regarding the direction of the company.
Yaccarino’s ambiguous responses and apparent unawareness of Musk’s plans raised questions about her involvement in decision-making processes. Although she emphasized her role in running the company and delivering the best user experience, the interview hinted at a possible power imbalance, with product teams still reporting to Musk. Audience members reacted with laughter and raised hands when Yaccarino defended Musk’s involvement in product decision-making. However, Yaccarino’s lack of clarity and failure to address key questions regarding the subscription model and the issue of bots suggested a lack of understanding or awareness of the proposed changes.
Overall, the interview revealed a messy situation at X, with Yaccarino struggling to answer basic questions about the company’s business and Musk’s activities. Her responses reflected either a lack of knowledge about the proposed subscription model or an intentional avoidance of discussing it to prevent concerns among advertisers. Additionally, discrepancies in X’s user numbers were highlighted, further showcasing potential communication gaps between Yaccarino and Musk. The interview raised doubts about Yaccarino’s involvement in major decisions at X and suggested a potential disconnect between the CEO and Musk regarding the company’s direction.
