Tesla has removed Disney+ from some of its vehicles amid online fights between CEOs Elon Musk and Bob Iger. The automaker reportedly informed Disney+ about withdrawing its native app from Tesla Theatre without specifying why. Tesla claims it informed Disney that it would remove the app for Tesla owners who never used it.
Afterward, several Tesla users reported that the Disney+ app is no longer available in Tesla Theatre. However, others, presumably those who have previously used the app, still see it in their vehicles. This development sparked consumer discussions about the underlying reasons for Tesla’s decision.
Many concluded the decision by Tesla to remove the Disney+ app from certain vehicles was in retaliation. Users believe it is a direct result of Disney discontinuing advertising on the social media platform X, where Musk is a major stakeholder.
The situation escalated following a controversial incident on social media. On November 15, 2023, Musk supported and amplified an anti-Semitic post by another user on X. Consequently, several companies, including Disney, withdrew their advertisements from the platform, fearing public backlash.
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While speaking about the reason for pulling Disney’s ads from X, Iger referred to Musk’s post that appeared to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory about Jews. He said the post played a role in Disney’s decision to halt ads on X.
“By him taking the position that he took in quite a public manner,” Iger said. “We just felt that the association with that position and Elon Musk and X was not necessarily positive for us.” However, after Iger’s speech, Musk denied being antisemitic.
Although Musk later apologized for his action, Disney ceased advertising on X. Also, at a November 2023 event, Musk waved to the audience, saying, “Hey Bob,” referring to the Disney CEO who was also present at the event. Afterward, in December, Musk called for Iger’s dismissal from Disney.
“He (Iger) should be fired immediately,” Musk wrote on X. “Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company.” Also, during an open discussion at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit, Musk criticized companies that pulled their ads from X.
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When asked by a journalist if Disney was at fault, Musk responded, “Yes, aren’t people boycotting Disney?” Also, he publicly called on Disney to fire Iger after a lawsuit claimed the Mouse House was running ads on Facebook and Instagram.
He noted that Iger ran ads on them even though those sites permitted child predators to target underage users. “Bob Eiger thinks it’s cool to advertise next to child exploitation material,” Musk wrote, misspelling the longtime media mogul’s name. “Real stand-up guy.”
This statement by Musk highlights the tension between Tesla and Disney in the context of advertising and media. Hence, users believe Tesla is taking a stance against Disney.
This sequence of events has raised questions about the influence of social media activities on broader corporate relationships. While Tesla stated its reasons, the wider impact of the feud on consumer experience remains a subject of discussion.
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