Elon Musk is calling on parents to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, accusing the video streaming giant of pushing a “transgender woke agenda” in children’s programming.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who has often criticized progressive cultural trends, made the comments on X after resurfaced clips from Dead End: Paranormal Park — a now-canceled animated series featuring a transgender teenage protagonist — circulated online on social media.
“This is not okay. Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids,” Musk wrote on X, reposting clips of the show shared by right-wing accounts, sparking a wave of online debate.
The show, which ran for two seasons in 2022 before its cancellation in 2023, was praised by some critics for its inclusive storytelling but condemned by Musk and others who argue it promotes ideological messaging aimed at children.
The Hamish Steele Controvers
The backlash intensified when screenshots of past posts allegedly made by the show’s creator, Hamish Steele, went viral. In one post, Steele appeared to dismiss British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot dead in September, referring to Kirk as a “random Nazi.” The remark drew outrage from conservative commentators, with critics demanding that Netflix be boycotted.
Musk later confirmed he had personally canceled his own Netflix subscription, replying “Same” to another user who said the company should not employ people “who celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk and make content that pushes pro-trans content on my kids.” Musk went further in another post, labeling Steele a “groomer”.
Steele Responds
Steele has denied celebrating Kirk’s death, calling the accusations “all lies and slander.” The creator also revealed he has been receiving “homophobic and antisemitic emails” since the controversy erupted, admitting the backlash had become overwhelming. “It’s getting a little scary,” Steele wrote, before announcing a temporary break from social media.
Netflix Silent As Debate Escalates
Netflix has not issued a public statement in response to Musk’s campaign. The company has previously defended its diverse content as reflecting “different tastes, sensibilities, and beliefs,” while noting parents can use controls to manage what children watch.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the company. Netflix, which has over 200 million subscribers globally, has seen its stock price dip by about 2% amid market volatility and renewed calls for boycotts.
It’s uncertain whether the call to “cancel Netflix” will have any real impact on the streamer’s massive subscriber base. The move is part of his broader fight against what he calls the “woke mind virus.” Musk has previously targeted Disney, Wikipedia, and other platforms for what he sees as left-leaning bias, and his latest campaign adds fuel to online debates over how gender identity is represented in entertainment — and who gets to decide what’s appropriate for children.
