Count all the times Elon Musk has been a transphobe on Twitter
What happens when one of the world’s leading tech moguls, the front man of Tesla and SpaceX, starts publicly voicing contentious views? Elon Musk recently ignited a firestorm, marking the commencement of LGBTQ Pride Month with a series of tweets that revealed a clear stance on transgender rights, one that’s certainly not supportive.
This shocking disclosure started with Musk championing a transphobic “documentary” produced by a far-right pundit. He went on to express agreement with harsh prison sentences for medical providers who aid transgender children, and supported a movement aimed at excluding transgender people from the LGBTQ community.
Musk’s comments provided a starkly candid insight into his personal politics, which The New York Times described as “complicated” just half a year ago.
Let’s look at all the things he said running through his head. See what we did there?
His take
Despite boasting last year that Tesla had been recognized for its commitment to LGBTQ equality in workplace inclusivity for the seventh consecutive year, Musk’s recent pronouncements reveal a markedly different stance. Agreeing with a tweet from an account named The LGB Group advocating for separating from the “TQ+ cult,” Musk’s sentiment is clear: he isn’t championing the entire LGBTQ acronym.
The documentary endorsed by Musk is What Is A Woman? by conservative Matt Walsh. Its content challenges the existence of transgender people, particularly questioning the concept of transgender children. This sparked a wave of controversy, with several trans activists alleging they were deceived into participating in the film.
Although Twitter initially flagged the film for “hateful conduct,” Musk intervened to ensure the film remained accessible on the platform. This controversy resulted in key resignations within Twitter‘s ranks, including the head of trust and safety, Ella Irwin, and A.J. Brown, head of brand safety and quality, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Gender fragile
In a twist, Musk hinted at a more accepting attitude towards transgender adults, implying that his issues mainly revolve around children’s rights and consent.
Nevertheless, his views appear at odds with mainstream medical opinion, which supports gender-affirming care for children, acknowledging the critical social element of transitioning that often precedes any medical intervention.
Musk went so far as to declare his intent to lobby for criminalizing irreversible gender-affirming surgeries for children. This stance overlooks the fact that such surgeries are infrequently performed on individuals below 18, and that puberty blockers—commonly prescribed to allow trans kids time to understand their identities—are shown to enhance mental health in these patients.
Musk’s own family is affected by his views: his transgender daughter last year expressed her desire to distance herself from her father.
Questions linger
So, with these revelations, where does this leave Musk’s fans, the LGBTQ community, and society as a whole?
In this age of blurred boundaries between personal beliefs and public personas, how do we navigate the delicate balance between supporting innovative companies and holding their leaders accountable?
One question remains: Can we truly separate the man from the brand?
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Can this man stoop any lower? Let us know in the comments!
