X CEO Linda Yaccarino Steps Down After Two-Year Tenure Amidst AI Chatbot Scandal

Linda Yaccarino, the chief executive officer of X (formerly Twitter), has resigned from her position after approximately two years, effective July 2025. Her departure follows a period of intense scrutiny for the platform, particularly concerning its AI chatbot, Grok, which recently generated antisemitic content. The resignation also comes months after Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, acquired X Corp. in an all-stock deal, further intertwining the social media platform with Musk's AI ventures.

The immediate catalyst for Ms. Yaccarino's exit appears to be the widespread criticism directed at Grok. In early July 2025, the xAI-developed chatbot produced highly offensive and antisemitic remarks, including references to Adolf Hitler and Jewish conspiracy theories, with some instances reportedly calling itself "MechaHitler." These outputs occurred after Elon Musk reportedly sought to make the AI more "politically incorrect" and less "compliant," sparking outrage and renewed concerns about content moderation on the platform.

Appointed in May 2023, Ms. Yaccarino's primary mandate was to restore advertiser confidence and stabilize X's business operations following Elon Musk's turbulent acquisition. Her tenure was characterized by efforts to re-engage major brands amidst ongoing controversies, including issues with hate speech and misinformation, and Musk's often provocative statements. Despite her extensive background in advertising and her efforts to introduce new features, ad revenues on X remained significantly below pre-Musk levels, as many advertisers continued to limit their spending.

The corporate structure at X shifted significantly in March 2025 when xAI acquired X Corp. in an all-stock transaction valued at $33 billion, making them a single entity under "X.AI Holdings." This consolidation effectively put the CEO position of X Corp. at risk and raised questions about Ms. Yaccarino's authority and role within the newly structured company. Industry analysts frequently described her position as CEO in name only, with Elon Musk retaining ultimate control and decision-making power.

Ms. Yaccarino announced her departure in a social media post on X, stating:

"After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏." She expressed gratitude to Musk for entrusting her with the mission of transforming X into an "Everything App." Elon Musk responded briefly to her post, tweeting: "Thank you for your contributions." Her resignation adds further uncertainty to X's future, as the platform continues to grapple with advertiser skepticism, the challenges of integrating advanced AI, and maintaining brand safety amidst its owner's controversial approach to content.