Musk Finally Fires Twitter Executive Who Tried to Stay

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Amid Elon Musk's mass layoffs after acquiring Twitter, it has been reported that even an executive whom Musk personally asked to stay was eventually fired.

On the 19th (local time), Business Insider, citing IT specialized media Platformer, reported that Robin Wheeler, Twitter's Head of Marketing and Sales, who had previously reversed his resignation at Musk's request, was fired on the 18th. Wheeler was the person who, after Musk acquired Twitter, co-hosted a conference call with advertisers alongside Musk on the 9th, explaining Twitter's future plans.

It was previously reported that Wheeler had submitted his resignation on the 10th, but he reportedly reversed his decision due to Musk's persistent persuasion. When the news of his resignation first broke, he tweeted a few hours later, "I'm still here," indicating he had not left. Later, through the company's Slack channel, he expressed his feelings by saying, "It's really tough right now," suggesting he had deeply contemplated reversing his resignation decision.

Platformer reported that Musk changed his mind and fired Wheeler just a week later. Unlike the reports that Wheeler had withdrawn his resignation, the specific reasons for his dismissal have not been disclosed, possibly because he never fully gave up his intention to resign. Wheeler also posted a message on his Twitter on the 18th hinting at his departure from the company. He wrote, "To the team and customers... you have always been my first and only priority."

Meanwhile, Musk laid off 3,700 employees, half of the total 7,500 staff, within a week after acquiring Twitter. Additionally, about 1,200 more employees reportedly left the company in response to Musk's directives of an 80-hour workweek, the abolition of remote work, and high-intensity work demands.