X files antitrust lawsuit against advertisers over 'illegal boycott'

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against several major advertisers, including Unilever, Mars, and CVS, accusing them of participating in an "illegal boycott" that allegedly withheld billions in advertising revenue. The lawsuit claims that these companies conspired through the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) initiative, known as the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), to pressure X into adhering to specific safety standards. X's CEO, Linda Yaccarino, stated that the boycott threatens the platform's future and its role as a public forum. Elon Musk has also encouraged other companies facing similar boycotts to consider legal action, suggesting potential criminal liability under the RICO Act. The lawsuit references a report from the House Judiciary Committee that criticized the WFA's actions as collusive. However, legal experts note that advertisers have the constitutional right to choose where to allocate their advertising budgets, which may complicate X's case. The company is seeking a court declaration that the advertisers' actions are illegal and is asking for damages to be determined at trial. This lawsuit follows a series of legal challenges by Musk, including a recent re-filing against OpenAI.

- X is suing major advertisers for allegedly participating in an illegal boycott.

- The lawsuit claims the boycott was organized through the WFA's GARM initiative.

- X seeks a court ruling declaring the advertisers' actions illegal and damages.

- Legal experts suggest the First Amendment may protect advertisers' rights to choose where to advertise.

- This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of legal actions taken by Elon Musk.