Twitter users collapse after video shows new CEO Linda Yaccarino is a pro-mask, pro-vaxx campaigner

Twitter users have criticized Elon Musk for “selling out” after a video resurfaced of the social media platform’s new CEO campaigning for pro-mask and pro-vaccination initiatives.

Musk was forced to defend new Twitter chief Linda Yaccarino on her first day on the job after she also raised the possibility of allowing advertisers to influence the platform’s content in a separate video.

“I hear your concerns, but don’t judge too soon,” Musk said. “I am adamant in defending free speech, even if it means losing money.”

In widely circulated footage, Yaccarino previously praised widespread mask mandates to fight the pandemic, saying, “Just keep your distance, wash your hands often, get tested often, and wear your mask.”

Before taking on the role of Twitter CEO, Yaccarino served as President of Global Advertising at NBC Universal for 11 years.

And her commitment to free speech over accommodating advertisers’ wishes was called into question when footage of her interview with Musk a month before her nomination came to light was questioned.

The media executive encouraged Musk to allow for the return of an “influence board,” which would allow advertisers more leverage over content on Twitter.

The ad executive said the board was “dearly loved” and was a “feedback loop from your key stakeholders” as she tried to get Musk to commit to reinstating the panel.

“You have a huge platform, you have a vision that is a spectrum of just everyday open source conversations, and they can run their lives, their businesses, their trades, whatever they can do on your platform,” she said.

“But in the middle should be an advertising opportunity – that sounds like a great opportunity.”

Elon Musk pushed back on Yaccarino’s encouragement to give advertisers more control over Twitter’s content

Musk jumped to Yaccarino’s defense on the same day as her hiring, where he asked supporters not to “judge too soon”

However, Yaccarino’s urging of Musk to increase advertiser influence on the platform was quickly countered by the billionaire.

‘If I said yes, then you can influence me, that would be wrong. That would be a restriction on freedom of expression.’

After asking Musk how the company can help advertisers take advantage of the platform, Yaccarino once again pushed back, saying that censoring certain content would be “uncool.”

“I think it’s totally cool to say you want your ads to appear in certain places on Twitter and not others,” he continued.

“But it’s not cool to try and say what Twitter is going to do, and if that means losing ad money, then we’ve lost it. But freedom of expression comes first.’

In addition to her role at NBC Universal, Yaccarino also chaired the World Economic Forum’s Taskforce on the Future of Work and worked with the Biden administration to promote the rollout of the Covid vaccine as chair of the Ad Council.

In the latter role, she regularly praised her support for mask and vaccine mandates, including in a November 2020 tweet encouraging people to take the shot, which was first given to the public a month later.

She said, ‘Know the facts! The @AdCouncil is trying to educate Americans about why we should embrace an FDA-approved Covid vaccine and how to go about it.

“We’re almost there, let’s cross the finish line.”

Yaccarino previously served as chair of the Ad Council, where she worked with the Biden administration to promote the Covid vaccine rollout

Musk, left, resisted questions from Yaccarino, right, who encouraged ad control over Twitter content

Snapshots of Yaccarino’s previous comments were quickly criticized by Twitter users who disapproved of the positions she took.

One commenter said her pro-mask clip was “terrifying,” while another said, “If this is the truth, I could delete my account forever and say goodbye to Elon Musk for good.”

“Disaster for Twitter,” added another.

Activist “Billboard Chris” also said Yaccarino was a “long-term mistake,” to which Musk immediately responded by urging people not to “judg too soon.”