Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and visionary behind Tesla, has made a bold move in the escalating billion-dollar corporate battle with The Walt Disney Company. In a show of defiance, Tesla vehicles worldwide no longer come with the pre-loaded Disney+ app, as reported by The American Tribune. This development follows a series of events where Disney led a group of advertisers to withdraw ad revenue from the social networking platform X, challenging Musk’s stance on free speech and corporate accountability.
So Disney+ has now been removed from Tesla vehicles. I’m assuming this is in retaliation to Disney pulling advertising from X (which they have every right to do).
So now I, as a mom, get to deal with telling my toddlers we can’t watch Disney+ while in our Tesla and deal with… pic.twitter.com/YYuDLQDtIc
— The Tesla Hoe (@TheTeslaHoe) December 18, 2023
Musk, known for his candid and direct approach, confronted Disney’s actions head-on. During the Dealbook Conference on Nov. 29th, as reported by Trending Politics, Musk unapologetically told Disney CEO Bob Iger, “I hope they stop. Don’t advertise. If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, go f*ck yourself,” demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his principles.
This feud has now extended to the user experience in Tesla vehicles. Previously, Tesla owners could enjoy Disney+ content while charging their cars, alongside other services like Netflix, YouTube, and TwitchTV. However, following Disney’s decision to pull advertising and challenge Musk, this convenience has been withdrawn, making a clear statement about Musk’s determination to not yield to corporate pressure.
While the Disney+ app can still be accessed through the Tesla screen’s native browser, the direct integration has been removed. This decision has sparked discussions among Tesla owners, with one mother expressing her frustration on X, noting the broader impact on customers due to the ongoing dispute. Yet, her acknowledgment that Disney’s initial pullout of advertising was “silly” reflects the sentiment that Musk’s response, though firm, is a justified stand against corporate manipulation.
With no immediate resolution in sight, as observed by Rob Mattox from The American Tribune, Musk’s stance exemplifies his resilience and unwillingness to compromise his values in the face of corporate giants like Disney. This bold decision, although impacting Tesla users, underscores Musk’s commitment to standing up against what he perceives as corporate overreach, reinforcing his image as a fearless leader in the tech and automotive industries.
