In a surprising interaction on social networks, Elon Musk, the controversial billionaire and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has urged JK Rowling, author of the famous series Harry Potter, to reduce their comments about the trans community and focus on “interesting and positive content.” The conversation sparked when Musk responded to Rowling’s X post from a month ago about the definition of a woman, a topic that has embroiled the writer in multiple controversies since 2020.
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Musk, who acquired social media platform Twitter, now rebranded as X, in 2022 for US$44 billion, has also come under fire for his own positions on trans rights. The businessman has previously stated that “pronouns are annoying” and that the word ‘cisgender’ is “heterophobic”, provoking adverse reactions from defenders of LGBTQ+ rights.
What did Elon Musk say to JK Rowling about his obsession with trans people?
Despite his controversial positions, Musk suggested to Rowling that it would be more beneficial to focus on publishing content of a different nature. “While I agree with your points about sex/gender, may I also suggest posting interesting and positive content on other issues?” https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1786828547581264118 in response to Rowling’s tweet. This interaction has generated various reactions on social media, from astonishment to ridicule, with users commenting on the irony that Musk, known for his own controversial posts, would advise moderation to another celebrity for similar reasons.
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Musk’s response comes after implementing significant changes to X’s content policy, including the removal and subsequent restoration of the policy that protects trans people from being misnamed or misidentified on the platform. These actions have been described by GLAAD, a nonprofit organization that monitors media on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, as examples of how the platform has become a less safe place for users and advertisers.
JK Rowling and the future of her career
Since the controversies began, Rowling has defended her positions on trans rights, drawing criticism from fans, activists and celebrities, including prominent actors from the Harry Potter films. Her comments have resulted in calls for boycotts and significant responses from those within the industry who support trans rights.
The interaction between these two public figures highlights the continued tension in the debate over trans rights and how public figures interact with these issues on global platforms, influencing public discourse and social perception on issues of great sensitivity and relevance.
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