In recent posts on X, Elon Musk has made a striking appeal: “Cancel Netflix,” and “Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids.” The messages follow Musk’s own cancellation of his Netflix subscription and respond to outrage over Netflix’s employment of creator Hamish Steele, who made comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk after Kirk was shot and killed.
The Row Over Content and Free Speech
The controversy began when Steele, creator of the Netflix animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park, posted a provocative statement on Bluesky describing Kirk as a “nazi.” Many accused him of mocking Kirk’s death. Musk amplified the outrage by endorsing a post from Matt Van Swol, who said: “If you employ someone who celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk … you will NEVER get a dime of my money.” Musk’s terse reply: “Same.”
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On X, Musk also echoed claims that Netflix discriminates against white people. He reposted a message alleging that Netflix’s diversity reports showed a growing percentage of non-white leads and suggested that hiring practices are driven by identity over qualifications. The platform hasn’t verified these claims.
The Broader Implications
Musk’s move combines politics, culture wars, and corporate pressure. It raises questions around cancel culture, corporate responsibility, and how creators’ political statements affect platforms. Even as Musk frames his demand as a moral stand, critics may view it as an attempt to sway public sentiment and corporate practices.
Netflix has not responded publicly to Musk’s calls. Meanwhile, the incident adds another chapter to the ongoing tension between social media moguls, entertainment platforms, and free speech debates across the digital landscape.
