In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk, the owner of the recently rebranded social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has indicated that he is contemplating legal action against the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Musk alleges that the ADL’s accusations of anti-Semitism have significantly contributed to revenue losses for his platform, primarily due to the adverse impact on advertisers.
Musk took to X on Monday to express his grievances, asserting that they have been unjustly targeted by the ADL. He accused the US-based Jewish organization of making baseless complaints that have deterred advertisers from partnering with X. Musk remarked, “To clear our platform’s name on the matter of anti-Semitism, it looks like we have no choice but to file a defamation lawsuit against the Anti-Defamation League… oh the irony!”
He further stated that, according to feedback from advertisers, the ADL appears to be responsible for a substantial portion of their revenue decline. Musk went on to suggest that the organization could potentially be held liable for causing a loss of approximately $22 billion, effectively halving the company’s value.
In a lengthy thread, Musk highlighted the impact of unfounded accusations by the ADL on advertising revenue, noting that advertisers tend to shy away from controversy. He reiterated his support for free speech while condemning anti-Semitism in all its forms.
The Anti-Defamation League has refrained from commenting on Musk’s legal threats but has responded to the trending hashtag #BanTheADL on the platform.
Musk’s recent social media activity has drawn criticism, particularly for his engagement with posts featuring the hashtag. ADL Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt expressed deep concern, describing Musk’s behavior as “dangerous and deeply irresponsible.”
The controversy arose after the ADL participated in a civil rights march commemorating the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. The ADL has long accused the social media platform, now owned by Musk, of amplifying anti-Semitic hate speech and recently held discussions with senior executives at X.
In a 2016 report, the ADL highlighted a surge in anti-Semitic attacks against journalists on Twitter during the 2016 presidential campaign, attributing it to the platform’s lax handling of trolling.
Elon Musk has faced previous accusations of promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes, including attacks against Jewish philanthropist George Soros. According to the ADL and the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), problematic and racist content on X has seen a significant increase since Musk’s acquisition for $44 billion in October.
In another legal battle, Musk recently filed a lawsuit against the CCDH, alleging a smear campaign that damaged X’s relationship with advertisers.
