The billionaire entrepreneur Urges Streaming Giant Cancellation Over LGBTQ+ Character in Canceled Show

The world's wealthiest individual, who styles himself as a champion of unrestricted expression, has in the past few days focused his efforts on persuading viewers to terminate their Netflix accounts. Musk claims the platform exhibits political leaning and includes LGBTQ+ characters in its content.

The multi-billionaire, with an estimated net worth approximately half a trillion dollars, has repeatedly posted on his social media platform to push for a mass cancellation movement. In just three days, he has posted or amplified demands to drop Netflix at least 26 times.

Origins of the Anti-Netflix Initiative

Musk's disapproval began in earnest on this week, when he declared “this is not ok” while quoting a video from a rightwing account about the show Dead End: Paranormal Park. The segment featured a protagonist stating he is a trans individual.

The shared post asserted the series was advocating trans themes on children, pointing out its age-appropriateness for seven-year-olds. Paranormal Park aired for 20 episodes in recent years and was subsequently discontinued by the streaming service. At present, the platform is not marketing the series.

Star Responds to Musk's Allegations

Zach Barack, a trailblazing trans artist in the blockbuster film franchise, swiftly countered the criticism online. Barack stated: “you can fear monger all you want, but families have told me it made a life-changing difference!!”

Following this, Musk amplified messages from other users who said they terminated their streaming accounts in objection to what he calls an effort to influence youngsters with LGBTQ+-supportive content.

Escalation of Rhetoric

“Drop your subscription for the health of your children,” he posted on midweek, alongside a meme that portrayed the platform's diversity initiatives as a deceptive gift entering a fortress labeled “your kids”.

“Accurate,” he wrote on the next day, agreeing with another user’s tweet that alleged: “Advocacy content is actively promoted on Netflix. They are forcefully advancing it on viewers.” Musk linked to a Netflix article that highlighted programming with transgender roles.

Expanded Complaints and False Claims

The billionaire has also criticized pro-trans themes in other series like a family program and Cocomelon. Additionally supported claims that Netflix has an “anti-white” recruitment policy and reposted inaccurate information, including that 100% political donations by company staff in this election cycle went to Democrats.

Moreover, Musk wrote “Cancel Netflix” on a post about Netflix’s 2023 diversity and inclusion report.

Family Context

The entrepreneur is the father of a trans child, Vivian Wilson, who has publicly criticized her parent's anti-LGBTQ+ position. In legal documents to update her identity, she stated: “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my parent in any manner.”

He has later claimed that he “lost my son” and alleged he was “deceived” into permitting gender-affirming care for his daughter, whom he described as “dead, a victim of the progressive ideology”.

Netflix’s Reaction and Past Issues

Netflix, whose executives have often invoked free expression when addressing backlash, has not publicly responded to Musk’s taunts. This is not the first time the platform has faced rightwing anger – in 2020, controversy over the movie a French production led to a short-term increase in U.S. cancellations, though it soon declined.

In the previous year, Netflix executive Ted Sarandos supported entertainer Dave Chappelle amid anti-trans remarks in his special, referencing free speech. He also backed the choice to commission programs from rightwing comedian another artist, whose offensive statements about a U.S. territory sparked widespread consternation.

Wider Entertainment Environment

Musk’s push for mass cancellation follows shortly after an unrelated expression dispute in the entertainment industry involving Disney’s temporary halt of a talk show host's program. After significant backlash and viewer drop-offs, the network restored the show.