Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy, this time targeting Netflix. On his X platform, the tech billionaire urged his 227 million followers to cancel their subscriptions. He claimed the streaming service promotes a “transgender woke agenda” and wrote, “Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids.”
The Controversy Over Dead End: Paranormal Park
The debate centers on Dead End: Paranormal Park, an animated Netflix show canceled in 2023 after two seasons. Critics, mainly conservative commentators, took issue with a transgender character in the series.
The controversy intensified after the show’s creator, Hamish Steele, commented on a post by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. Steele allegedly questioned why the Prime Minister was commenting on the death of a “random Nazi.” Critics shared screenshots of these comments, claiming the show pushed “pro-transgender propaganda” to children.
Steele responded on Bluesky, calling Musk’s claims “lies and slander.” He defended the show as a story about “kind, wonderful characters.” Steele also said he never celebrated Kirk’s death and expressed concern over the homophobic and antisemitic emails he had received.
Support From Conservative Activists
Musk’s comments found support from other conservative voices. Activist Robby Starbuck echoed Musk’s stance, arguing that Netflix promotes an ideology “hateful to White Americans.” Starbuck urged followers to withhold financial support from the company.
Impact on Netflix
Despite the backlash, analysts predict limited effects on Netflix. The company had 301.63 million subscribers at the end of 2024 and a market cap of roughly $490 billion. Shares dipped nearly 5% during the week of Musk’s posts.
Experts told CNBC that headlines alone may move stock temporarily, but Netflix’s ad revenue and loyal subscriber base will likely offset any losses. Past controversies, such as the Bud Light boycott in 2023, caused more financial impact, but Netflix’s scale makes similar results unlikely.
Musk’s History of Controversial Statements
Musk has previously expressed critical views on gender and identity. In 2025, he said “relentless propaganda portraying white men as the worst” contributed to more people identifying as transgender. He also claimed he was “tricked” into supporting gender-affirming care for his daughter Vivian Wilson.
Vivian, a trans woman, has publicly denied Musk’s claims about her childhood. She stated she is financially independent and disputed his characterization of her experiences.
The Broader Implications
Musk’s call for a Netflix boycott shows his continuing influence on social media and public discourse. While the controversy may cause short-term attention, analysts suggest it will have minimal long-term financial impact on Netflix.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about representation, gender identity, and ideological divisions in media. For Netflix, it underlines the challenge of balancing creative expression with audience expectations in a polarized environment.
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