X’s global head of revenue operations and advertising innovation, John Nitti, has left the social media platform after only ten months, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the latest executive departure from Elon Musk’s embattled company. Nitti, who joined X in January and was considered a potential candidate to succeed former CEO Linda Yaccarino, departed on Friday amid a wave of high-level exits, Financial Times reports.
Since Yaccarino resigned in July after two years in the role, her responsibilities have been distributed among several leaders, including Nitti and Angela Zepeda, the platform’s global head of marketing. Nitti’s exit follows a pattern of short-lived tenures at X and xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence start-up, which took over the platform in March. Notable recent departures include xAI’s chief financial officer Mike Liberatore, general counsel Robert Keele, and X’s chief financial officer Mahmoud Reza Banki, who announced his resignation in early October, a move first reported by the FT.
Industry insiders attribute the turnover to executive frustration with Musk’s hands-on management style and frequent strategic shifts, which have reportedly complicated leaders’ ability to execute their own objectives. Advertising executives, in particular, have faced intense pressure to drive revenue, even as some advertisers remain wary of Musk’s relaxed content moderation policies and confrontational approach toward marketers who challenge his platform decisions.
Despite these challenges, X and xAI have recently pursued initiatives to attract brands back to the platform. Partnerships with companies like Disney, combined with improved advertising metrics reportedly enabled by xAI technology, are aimed at restoring confidence among marketers. Nevertheless, some advertisers have expressed private concerns over perceived pressure to invest in X, especially following lawsuits the platform filed against companies including Shell and Pinterest over alleged “illegal boycotts,” which the brands deny.
Nitti, a former Verizon executive, was reportedly among the advertising leaders frustrated by Musk’s unilateral decision-making. Sources told the Financial Times that Musk had increasingly made advertising decisions without consulting leadership, including banning hashtags from advertising campaigns, which sparked further dissatisfaction among clients and staff alike.
X and xAI have also moved to fill other executive roles. Earlier this month, Anthony Armstrong, a former Morgan Stanley banker who advised on Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of X, was appointed xAI chief financial officer. Musk’s ongoing pursuit of superhuman AI and investments in infrastructure and chips continue to shape company priorities, but the pattern of rapid executive turnover underscores persistent instability at the top.
X did not respond to requests for comment.
