Tim Cook: Apple Execs Regularly Discuss Pulling Ads From Elon Musk’s X

Apple execs are engaged in an ongoing internal debate over ads for the company's products and services on X, formerly Twitter, as a result of antisemitic content on the platform, Apple boss Tim Cook said in a new interview with CBS News.

Speaking with John Dickerson, Cook said continuing ads on the platform was "something that we ask ourselves. Generally, my view is Twitter's an important property." I like the concept that it's there for discourse and there as a town square."

Cook said he viewed the platform as a "town square" but said he also didn't like other aspects of Musk's site.

Speaking specifically about the criticism levied at X by the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy organization, that there is rising hate speech on the platform, Cook said that antisemitism is "abhorrent."

"Just point blank, there is no place for it," Cook said.

Cook said that maintaining Apple's advertising presence on X is "something we constantly ask ourselves."

Elon Musk has blamed the ADL for declining advertising revenue on X, although the ADL has said Musk has not presented clear evidence to substantiate the claim. In 2018, the ADL awarded Cook its first Courage Against Hate award for championing the organization's mission to combat hate speech online.

"During a time where technology is being used to spread hate, Tim has been a trailblazer in combating it on Apple’s platforms," said CEO Jonathan Greenblatt at the time.