Elon Musk urges followers to cancel Netflix subscriptions amid controversy

Elon Musk has called on his millions of followers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, sparking fresh debate around online activism and corporate culture wars.

In a post on his X platform Wednesday, Musk wrote: “Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids,” responding to a meme that accused the streaming service of pushing what critics call a “transgender woke agenda.”

The controversy centers on “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” an animated Netflix series featuring a transgender character. The show ended in 2023 after two seasons but has recently resurfaced in political discussions. Conservative commentators accused its creator, Hamish Steele, of mocking right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s death in past comments. Steele responded on Bluesky, calling Musk’s comments “odd” and reposting support from fellow writers who praised the series.

Netflix has not issued a statement on Musk’s remarks.

The company’s shares, valued at about $490 billion in market cap, slipped 4% this week. Analysts, however, say Musk’s statements are unlikely to cause lasting damage. Netflix stopped reporting subscriber numbers after Q4 2024, when it had 301.63 million subscribers, and has since shifted focus to revenue and ad growth.

Market watchers say the backlash may even draw counter-support. CNBC’s Guy Adami noted some may subscribe in opposition to the boycott calls. Analysts at Wedbush and Seymour Asset Management also downplayed the potential impact, suggesting Netflix’s strong ad revenues and expensive stock valuation make it resilient against internet controversies.

The situation echoes past consumer boycotts, such as Bud Light’s 2023 backlash, though experts suggest Netflix will likely weather this episode with minimal long-term effects.