Elon Musk Joins Growing MAGA-Backed Netflix Boycott After Online Controversy

Calls to boycott Netflix are once again dominating social media — this time fueled by mounting anger from MAGA supporters and amplified by one of the world’s most influential voices: Elon Musk.

In recent months, the streaming giant has weathered multiple waves of backlash over its rising subscription fees, content decisions, and alleged use of AI-generated material. But the latest uproar has taken on a distinctly political edge — after Musk urged his 226 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) to cancel their Netflix subscriptions entirely.

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The Spark Behind the Boycott

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s post came just days after he publicly addressed his mention in the newly unsealed Epstein Files. Soon after, Musk redirected his focus toward Netflix, posting a blunt criticism of the platform that quickly went viral.

His comments coincided with widespread outrage in conservative circles following the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University — an event that sent shockwaves through the MAGA community and ignited anger toward several public figures and institutions.

Within hours of the tragedy, political tensions flared online. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced online cancellation campaigns for his past jokes about conservatives, while a university professor was met with calls for dismissal after referring to Kirk as a “nazi” in a social media post.

It was in this volatile atmosphere that attention shifted toward Hamish Steele, creator of Netflix’s Dead End: Paranormal Park.

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A Tweet That Escalated Everything

An account believed to belong to Steele reportedly posted an expletive-filled response to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had shared condolences following Kirk’s death. The message — condemning Starmer for publicly commenting on “a random nazi” — quickly spread online, sparking outrage among conservative commentators.

Shortly afterward, Musk reshared a post from Libs of TikTok, featuring a clip from Steele’s Netflix series in which the main character, Barney, comes out as transgender. The video also included scenes featuring Norma, a bisexual and autistic character.

Critics labeled the show as “woke propaganda,” while Musk added his own brief but stinging remark:

“This is not ok.”

One user replied that they had cancelled their Netflix subscription in protest, citing “Hamish Steele celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder.” Musk responded with a simple:

“Same.”

The exchange quickly went viral, with tens of thousands of reposts and screenshots fueling the #CancelNetflix trend across conservative social media spaces.

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The Fallout

In the hours following Musk’s post, thousands of users claimed to have unsubscribed from Netflix. Musk continued reposting messages from followers who said they were joining the boycott, praising them for “voting with their wallets.”

However, media outlets were quick to point out that Dead End: Paranormal Park had already been cancelled by Netflix in 2023 after just two seasons.

Meanwhile, Hamish Steele took to BlueSky to address the growing controversy, calling it “a very odd day.” He firmly denied ever celebrating Kirk’s death, explaining that his social media had been flooded with misinformation and harassment.

“My Instagram comments are now filled with accusations that I AM Charlie Kirk, or that I celebrated his death — which I never did,” Steele wrote.

As the harassment escalated, he added:

“I’ve mostly been okay today and even found some of it darkly funny, but the extremely nasty homophobic and antisemitic emails have started rolling in. It’s getting a little scary, so I apologize if I take longer to respond to messages.”

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Netflix’s History With Controversy

Steele has long praised Netflix for supporting LGBTQ+ representation in his work. In a 2020 interview, he said there was “absolutely no pushback from Netflix” regarding queer storylines, and that he believed “it was actually one of the reasons they wanted the show.”

But this isn’t the first time Netflix has faced backlash from conservatives. Previous boycotts have erupted over shows like Cuties, Dave Chappelle’s stand-up specials, and politically charged documentaries. More recently, the company drew criticism when co-founder Reed Hastings donated $2 million to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign — a move that further alienated right-wing viewers.

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The Bigger Picture

The latest boycott highlights how streaming platforms have become cultural battlegrounds, with viewers increasingly choosing where to spend their money based on political or moral alignment.

While it remains unclear whether Musk’s endorsement of the boycott will have a measurable effect on Netflix’s global subscriber base, his influence — amplified by over 226 million followers — makes his words impossible to ignore.

For now, Netflix has not issued a statement addressing the controversy. But as streaming services continue to navigate an era of politicized content and audience polarization, this may not be the last time a celebrity’s tweet sends shockwaves through the entertainment world.