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Today in the stock market: Stocks climb on the back of stronger-than-expected GDP growth, while Tesla experiences a decline.

  Despite Tesla (TSLA) reporting disappointing earnings and a higher-than-expected US economic growth reading, US stocks climbed on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained 0.2%, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.4%, extending its record streak from the previous day, and the Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) inched up about 0.6%.  The morning release of the advance estimate for fourth-quarter US gross domestic product (GDP) revealed a robust annualized growth rate of 3.3%, surpassing economists' expectations of 2%. Tesla, in its quarterly results, cautioned about a "notably" slower growth in electric vehicle production, missing profit forecasts. CEO Elon Musk expressed concerns about Chinese carmakers outpacing rivals in the absence of trade restrictions. Tesla shares plummeted up to 11%, marking a deeper decline compared to other tech-heavy "Magnificent Seven" stocks that have been propelling the S&P 500's surge. After-hours attention focused on Intel (INT...
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Resigning from supporting Elon Musk also constitutes an expression of 'free speech'.


 Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed advocate of free speech, addressed the departure of advertisers from his platform, X (formerly Twitter), following his endorsement of an antisemitic post, with strong language.

In an interview at te New York Times (NYT) DealBook conference, Musk responded to the advertisers exercising their own agency by saying, "Go f*** yourself."

Musk's confrontational stance towards departing advertisers emphasizes a distorted perspective on open expression. While he freely expresses himself and utilizes the platform to punish perceived adversaries and support allies, he seems to restrict this freedom from others, such as companies choosing where to allocate their advertising funds.

Specifically targeting Disney CEO Bob Iger, who explained the company's suspension of advertising on X during the conference, Musk retaliated by labeling the suspensions as "blackmail." He predicted dire consequences, proclaiming that this action would lead to the downfall of X.

However, Musk's viewpoint appears one-sided when it comes to free speech, evident in X's past decision to restrict news outlets and competitors on the platform. Musk confirmed this approach when asked, indicating that non-subscribing organizations would not receive recommendations.

In an attempt to soften Musk's contentious remarks, X CEO Linda Yaccarino highlighted the platform's facilitation of information independence, emphasizing user autonomy. Nonetheless, Musk's strategy of invoking free speech has been viewed by some, like Lou Paskalis, as a means to avoid accountability and salvage his ego.

Paskalis suggests that Musk's remarks were premeditated, aimed at shifting blame and asserting independence, acknowledging that the door to future advertising had already closed, partly due to Musk's own actions.

Ultimately, advertisers have the right to disassociate from Musk due to perceived liabilities, just as Musk retains the prerogative to engage in his outspoken, potentially self-destructive behavior.

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