Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has indicated his intention to pursue legal action against the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent civil rights organization. Musk alleges that the ADL’s accusations of anti-Semitism have adversely impacted X’s revenue, driving advertisers away.
On Monday, Musk took to X to express his frustration, asserting that the ADL had made baseless complaints against him and X, causing advertisers to shy away. He stated, “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!” Musk continued, “Based on what we’ve heard from advertisers, ADL seems to be responsible for most of our revenue loss,” and estimated that the group could be liable for approximately $22 billion in damages, roughly half of the company’s value.
In a series of tweets, Musk argued that the ADL’s unfounded accusations could easily dissuade advertisers from associating with X, as advertisers often seek to avoid controversy. Musk clarified his stance on the matter, expressing support for free speech while firmly opposing any form of anti-Semitism.
The ADL has chosen not to comment on Musk’s legal threats, but it did respond to the trending hashtag “BanTheADL” on the platform. Musk’s actions on X have also faced criticism, particularly his endorsement of posts containing the hashtag.
ADL’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Greenblatt, expressed deep concern about Musk’s engagement with a “toxic, anti-Semitic campaign” on the platform over the weekend, deeming it not only alarming but also dangerous and irresponsible.
The campaign against the ADL gained traction after the organization participated in a civil rights march commemorating the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s iconic “I have a dream” speech.
The ADL has long accused the social media site, X, of amplifying anti-Semitic hate speech and recently engaged in discussions with the platform’s top executives. In a 2016 report, the ADL highlighted the surge in anti-Semitic attacks against journalists on Twitter during the 2016 presidential campaign, attributing it to the platform’s failure to address its trolling problem.
Musk himself has faced accusations of perpetuating anti-Semitic stereotypes, including attacks against Jewish philanthropist George Soros. According to both the ADL and the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), X has witnessed a significant increase in problematic and racist speech since Musk’s $44 billion takeover in October. Subsequently, Musk made substantial staffing changes, reduced content moderation, and reinstated former President Donald Trump’s account on the platform.
Last month, Musk filed a lawsuit against the CCDH, accusing it of conducting a smear campaign that harmed X’s relationships with advertisers.
