Elon Musk’s Revenge? Tesla Users Lose Access to Disney+ Streaming

Tesla has removed Disney+ from some of its vehicles, and this move is seen as a response to Disney’s recent decision to cease advertising on the social media platform X, in which Elon Musk holds a major stake. On the 18th (local time), specialized electric vehicle media outlet Electrek reported, citing numerous Tesla vehicle owners, that “some Tesla vehicles no longer feature the Disney+ app.”

Electrek also obtained information indicating that Tesla had unilaterally informed Disney+ of its intention to remove the app. Tesla clarified that Disney+ was removed solely from vehicles whose users had never launched the Disney+ app in their cars.

Electrek pointed out that Tesla’s decision to remove the Disney+ app from certain vehicles was a direct result of Disney discontinuing X advertising. On November 15th, Musk left a comment supporting an anti-Semitic post by another X user. Several companies that had advertised on X, fearing a backlash, withdrew their ads, with Disney being one of them.

Subsequently, on November 29th, Musk participated in an open discussion at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit, where he strongly criticized the companies that had pulled their ads, using strong language beginning with the letter “f.” When New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin asked if Disney was at fault, Musk responded, “Yes, aren’t people boycotting Disney?”

Electrek provided analysis, suggesting that Musk, via Tesla, the organization under his leadership, is adopting a position opposing Disney. This relates to Disney’s decision to withdraw its advertising from X and Tesla’s subsequent removal of Disney+ from its offerings.

By Geun Ho Lee