Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and owner of X (formerly Twitter), recently stirred controversy with a troubling comment directed at pop star Taylor Swift. The issue arose after Musk responded to Swift’s Instagram post endorsing Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election. In her post, which included a sarcastic reference to herself as a “Childless Cat Lady,” Swift voiced her support for Harris following a debate between Harris and Donald Trump.
Musk’s reaction was a tweet that read, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.” This response was made in reaction to Swift’s endorsement, which highlighted her support for Harris’s leadership and contrasted it with what she perceived as the chaos of Trump’s tenure.
Reaction to Musk’s statement was swift. His remarks were criticized by many on X for being unsuitable and spooky; some even went so far as to call it sexual harassment. The former Trump staffer Kellyanne Conway’s daughter Claudia Conway was one of the people who denounced Musk, saying only, “You’re creepy.” Completely stopped. Pro-Democratic data scientist Armand Domalewski called Musk’s remark “skin-crawlingly creepy” and chastised him for being so brazenly intrusive.
The backlash against Elon Musk extended to his own family. Vivian Jenna Wilson, Musk’s daughter, took to Threads to voice her disapproval, calling her father’s comment “sexist” and “incel nonsense.” Her reaction underscores a growing unease within Musk’s family about his public behavior and statements.
The controversy also touches on larger issues. Musk’s comment, along with his history of remarks about population decline and low birth rates, has raised concerns. He has previously expressed anxiety about “population collapse” in Western countries and made various unsettling comments about repopulating the Earth. This recent remark to Swift has been seen by some as part of a troubling pattern of inappropriate behavior.
Swift’s use of the term “Childless Cat Lady” was a sarcastic response to disparaging comments made by J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, about Democratic women. Musk’s reaction, which included a promise to safeguard Swift’s cats, has been interpreted by some as an extension of xenophobic conspiracy theories he has previously endorsed.
Overall, Musk’s response has faced widespread criticism, not only for being inappropriate but also for reflecting broader issues related to his public persona and statements. The incident has sparked a debate about the limits of public commentary and the responsibilities of influential figures in addressing sensitive topics with respect and care.