'She's MAGA through and through': Linda Yaccarino's appointment as Twitter CEO sparks row, critics cite Trump link
2 min read . Updated: 17 May 2023, 05:56 AM IST
PremiumLinda Yaccarino's appointment has triggered backlash from several quarters with netizens flagging her links to the Trump administration, her work with the WEF and more.
Elon Musk made waves last week after announcing the appointment of Linda Yaccarino as Twitter CEO. The former advertising head of NBCUniversal will be taking over within a few weeks and recently asserted that she was looking forward to building Twitter 2.0. But many on the internet are far from happy about the situation.
While some of Musk's somewhat extreme Twitter followers took immediate issue with the new CEO's gender others turned hostile after researching her work profile. Interestingly enough the comments come from various segments of America's increasingly polarised populace.
“New Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino is a former Trump appointee who follows insurrectionists and right-wing conspiracy accounts and likes their tweets. She's MAGA through and through. The coverage of her should reflect that fact," read a now viral post on the social media platform.
For context, Yaccarino was among the people selected in 2018 by Donald Trump to serve a two year term on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
Enterprising Twitter users also put together a lengthy list of controversial or 'right wing' figures that the new CEO follows on the social media platform. They range from prominent political leaders and ideologues to seemingly random MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters, conspiracy theorists and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda outlets.
Others took umbrage over Yaccarino's ties to the World Economic Forum, with many putting forth their takes on her ‘suspicious’ behaviour. Her links to the Biden administration also came under scrutiny with many noting that she had helped promote a COVID-19 vaccine program for the US government.
Many cited Musk's earlier comments against the WEF to underscore their distaste for the appointment. “Interesting to see MAGA accounts go apoplectic over Linda Yaccarino’s connections to WEF and Davos. Have to wonder who’s stoked that sentiment in the past," jibed one Twitter user.
Newly verified Twitter had also threatened to quit the subscription model if Yaccarino took over - with many of these posts going viral since the appointment was officially announced.
“If she gets the job I will end my subscriptions," exclaimed one verified user to cheers and vows of solidarity.
“I don't understand any of this, but will wait for Elon Musk to clarify. Will also watch for changes in Twitter that might suggest a return to liberal favoritism. My $8.00 isn't much, but it is spent in good faith for free speech," said another.
“Is that serious? How could we trust someone from WEF. We need someone completely away from anything to do with these organisations, Surely Elon Musk would not be choosing someone who has been in association with WEF, goes against everything we have been led to believe ie truth!" added a third.