Fernando Cao Profile picture
Dec 14, 2024 19 tweets 5 min read Read on X
In November 2023, Disney tried to destroy X (Twitter).

They pulled their ads and cost Elon $75M in revenue.

But instead of backing down...

Elon told their CEO to go f*** himself.

Here's the unbelievable story of how one decision cost Disney $200B: Image
November 2023.

Disney's CEO Bob Iger made a decision that would spark one of the most explosive corporate feuds in history:

He pulled all of Disney's ads from X (formerly Twitter).

What followed would reshape the future of media forever... Image
The official reason? Content moderation concerns.

But beneath the surface, a bigger battle was brewing:

The clash between traditional media control and digital freedom of speech.

Disney wasn't alone in their move:
Apple, Coca-Cola, and Comcast joined the advertising exodus.

Musk's response? Refreshingly direct for a tech CEO:

He challenged Bob Iger publicly, questioning Disney's own content standards.

But beneath the surface, something bigger was happening:
X was facing a crucial moment.

90% of the platform's revenue came from advertising.

The boycott by major brands cost X an estimated $75 million in revenue.

But instead of backing down, Musk took a stand:
In the first half of 2023, X generated $1.48 billion in revenue.

That's a 40% drop compared to the same period in 2022.

At the DealBook Summit, Musk made his position clear:

"These advertisers are trying to blackmail me with money."
Then came the statement that would echo through Wall Street:

"If they kill the company, the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company."

This wasn't just about revenue anymore.

It was about standing up for principles.
While Disney remained silent, Musk spoke directly to his audience.

No PR spin. No corporate doublespeak.

Just raw, unfiltered communication with his followers.

Then the story took an unexpected turn:
Rumors of Musk potentially acquiring Disney started circulating.

Wall Street analysts scrambled to make sense of it.

But there was one major problem:

The numbers didn't add up.
Disney's market cap was approximately $150 billion.

Musk had already invested heavily in Twitter at $44 billion.

And now X was facing an advertising challenge.

But the acquisition rumors revealed something deeper:
This wasn't just about ads anymore.

It was innovation vs tradition.

Direct communication vs controlled narratives.

The future of media was at stake.
Then came a twist no one saw coming:

The Texas Attorney General launched an investigation into potential collusion among advertisers.

X filed a lawsuit against the World Federation of Advertisers, alleging a "systematic illegal boycott."

The implications would be massive... Image
The investigation raised unprecedented questions:

Could companies legally coordinate their ad spending to influence platform behavior?

Was the advertising boycott a legitimate business decision or illegal collusion?

But Musk had an ace up his sleeve:
This battle exposed something fascinating:

Traditional media thought they could control the narrative with ad dollars.

But Musk had something more valuable:

A personal brand so powerful, he didn't need to bend.
Think about it:

Most CEOs would cave under advertiser pressure.

They'd compromise their vision for ad revenue.

But Musk? He stood firm on his principles.

Why could he do this?
Because he'd built something more valuable than ad revenue:

Direct influence over millions of people.

His personal brand means he can:

• Launch products instantly
• Attract talent effortlessly
• Raise capital at will

All without depending on gatekeepers.
This is the future of business:

The most powerful founders won't be controlled by advertisers, VCs, or media.

They'll have direct relationships with their audience.

Building in public. Creating trust at scale.

Ready to build the future?
Founders: We’ll build your personal/company brand on 𝕏 (and beyond) without you lifting a finger.

To date, we've already helped 60+ founders get 2+ Billion combined views.

Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: form.typeform.com/to/JWuXNkxQ?ut…
Thanks for reading! A bit about me:

2 years ago, I cofounded @ThoughtleadrX — a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders, executives, and investors to dominate socials.

If you enjoyed this, hit "follow" for more breakdowns! Image

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More from @thefernandocz

Jul 4
In 2024, Zuckerberg tried buying this tiny AI startup for $14 Billion.

When they said “No,” everyone called them insane.

Today, they’re backed by Google, Nvidia, and $32 BILLION in funding.

Here’s why every tech giant is begging to work with them: ⬇️ Image
Picture this:

A tiny AI startup with no product. No revenue.

Just 3 founders working in stealth mode.

Meta shows up with a $32 billion check.

Most founders would've grabbed it instantly.

But these guys had something others didn't... Image
The mastermind behind this startup?

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Then in 2023, he vanished from the AI scene completely: Image
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Mark Zuckerberg knows something we don't.

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Here's what's really going on at Ko'olau Ranch: 🧵 Image
A disturbing pattern emerged among tech CEOs after 2020.

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They know something. But what? Image
These are the people with humanity's best data.

They run predictive models we'll never see.

They have classified briefings on climate projections, AI risks, and social instability.

And they're all reaching the same conclusion:
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Jul 1
In 2004, he landed the biggest sponsorship deal in history.

They offered him cash. He said no.

They offered him fame. He said no.

Instead, he asked for one thing that terrified the executives.

Here's how 50 Cent outplayed a $4.1B company with one deal: Image
Picture this: It's 2004.

50 Cent is hip-hop royalty. 8 million albums sold.

Then Glacéau calls.

They want him for a commercial for their Vitaminwater.

Standard deal, right? Not for 50...
Most rappers would've taken the check.

$250K? $500K? Easy money.

Film for a day → Cash the check → Move on.

But 50 Cent saw what others missed:
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Jun 30
I studied the morning routines of the world’s top billionaires.

And while most talk about 4 a.m. starts and packed schedules...

Only ONE rejects all major work before 10 a.m.

Here’s how Jeff Bezos' “puttering” technique built a $2.4 TRILLION empire: 🧵 Image
Picture this:

• Tim Cook wakes at 3:45 a.m.
• Jack Dorsey meditates at 5 a.m.
• Bob Iger hits the gym by 4:15 a.m.

The message seems clear: Success demands sacrificing your mornings.

But one billionaire completely rejected this playbook...
While his competitors raced to 6 a.m. meetings, Jeff Bezos did the unthinkable.

He protected his mornings like a fortress — zero work allowed.

Instead, he developed a strange ritual that his advisors initially mocked: Image
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Stripe's CEO never studied finance.

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Here's his genius framework for learning anything fast: 🧵 Image
Picture this: It's 2009.

A 20-year-old Irish kid sits in his cramped apartment, staring at his laptop screen.

He's trying to add payments to a simple web app.

Should be easy, right?

Wrong.
Days turn into weeks.

PayPal's documentation reads like ancient hieroglyphics.

Complex jargon. Endless requirements. Zero clarity.

Patrick slams his laptop shut in frustration.

This was supposed to be simple.

But something strange happens next... Image
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When he discovered millions of renters aren't allowed to buy homes...

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Here's why banks across America are nervous: 🧵 Image
82% of Americans believe homeownership is part of the American Dream.

But there's a dark secret the banks don't want you to know.

Millions are locked out of this dream.

Not because they can't pay.

But because of something much more sinister...
Meet Wemimo Abbey.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he came to America with big dreams.

Like most immigrants, he believed in the promise of opportunity.

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