Elon Musk's Netflix Boycott: Fury Over 'Woke' Kids' Shows Sparks Stock Dip
October 2, 2025
by Jaymie Johns
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and X owner, has turned his platform into a megaphone for a burgeoning boycott of Netflix, railing against what he calls the streamer's "woke agenda" in children's programming. Over the past week, Musk has posted "Cancel Netflix" more than 20 times, quoting content highlighting LGBTQ+ representation in kids' shows and accusing the company of promoting "indoctrination" and discriminating against white creators. The campaign, which gained steam in late September 2025, has shaved about 2.4% off Netflix's stock price, erasing roughly $15 billion in market value as of October 4, 2025. High-profile figures, including Musk himself, have publicly canceled their subscriptions, but analysts and reports suggest the movement hasn't yet triggered a mass exodus, raising questions about its staying power in the ongoing culture wars.
The boycott erupted amid controversy over Netflix's inclusion of transgender and LGBTQ+ characters in youth-oriented content, such as "The Baby-Sitters Club," where episodes depict a young boy identifying as a girl and receiving affirming care at a hospital, complete with staff training on misgendering. Musk amplified a Libs of TikTok post on October 1, 2025, labeling the show "insanity" and urging viewers to "protect your kids" by canceling Netflix. He followed up with a direct quote: "Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids." Other posts targeted Netflix's diversity report, which celebrates increasing representation of underrepresented directors and leads, with Musk decrying it as anti-white bias.
Musk's barrage—over two dozen "Cancel Netflix" posts in three days—has resonated in conservative circles, drawing support from figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who echoed the call on October 2, 2025, accusing Netflix of "grooming children." The timing coincides with broader Republican critiques of Hollywood's "woke" turn, including Greene's own push against transgender themes in media. Musk, who announced his own cancellation on October 1, framed it as a stand against "transgenderism on kids" and "shaming characters for misgendering." His posts have racked up millions of views, with one quoting a Libs of TikTok video on "The Baby-Sitters Club" amassing over 65 million impressions.
The financial ripple was immediate: Netflix shares dipped 4% in the week ending October 4, 2025, amid the noise. Reports from Variety and Business Insider detail Musk's "all-out war," with the CEO's influence on X amplifying the message to his 200 million followers. High-profile cancellations followed, including from conservative influencers and everyday users sharing screenshots of their unsubscribes. One Reddit thread in r/entertainment, titled "Why are people canceling Netflix? What to know about the boycott," has over 1,000 comments debating the merits, with some users praising Musk's "stand for kids" and others dismissing it as "MAGA hysteria."
Netflix has remained largely silent on the uproar, with no official statement as of October 4, 2025. The company has defended its content in the past, emphasizing family-friendly options alongside diverse stories, but sources close to the streamer tell Slate that executives view Musk's campaign as "unlikely to dent results," given Netflix's 280 million global subscribers. Analysts agree: while the stock wobble is notable, it's a fraction of Netflix's $300 billion valuation, and churn rates haven't spiked dramatically yet. Still, the boycott taps into a larger conservative backlash against perceived "grooming" in media, echoing campaigns against Disney and Bud Light.
From the left, the pushback is fierce. Vanity Fair described Musk's crusade as part of his "latest against the media's 'woke agenda,'" with critics accusing him of stoking transphobia under the guise of parental concern. LGBTQ+ advocates, including GLAAD, have condemned the rhetoric as harmful, pointing to rising anti-trans violence amid such narratives. On X, counter-posts flood in, with users like @hamishsteele defending "The Baby-Sitters Club" as "inclusive storytelling for kids," garnering thousands of likes. The divide is stark: for Musk's supporters, it's a win against "indoctrination"; for opponents, it's dangerous demagoguery from a man with immense platform power.
The boycott's longevity remains uncertain. Similar efforts, like the 2023 Bud Light backlash, caused short-term pain but long-term resilience for targets. Netflix's upcoming slate, including the final season of "Stranger Things," could blunt the momentum. Musk, undeterred, continued posting "Cancel Netflix" on October 3, quoting Graham Linehan's cancellation announcement. Whether this fizzles or flares into a full subscriber revolt will test the limits of cultural influence in the streaming age—and Musk's clout as a powerful voice in the culture wars.
As the debate rages, one thing is clear: in an era of polarized media, boycotts like this aren't just about content—they're battlegrounds for America's soul. For Netflix, it's a reminder that even giants can bleed from a thousand X cuts. For Musk, it's another volley in his war on "woke." And for viewers? A stark choice: subscribe to the stream, or stream the revolution.
