In a battle between transphobes, Elon Musk has called on J.K. Rowling to tone down her transphobia online. Ironically, Musk has railed against transgender people for years.
Billionaire Musk, who bought the social media platform Twitter (now called X) told J.K. Rowling to write something more “interesting and positive” last weekend after she published a 709-work essay on her transphobic views on X. Interestingly, Musk has utilized the platform to make his own transphobic views known over the years, according to LGBTQ Nation.
In her essay published on April 6, Rowling took to X to explain her narrow view of what a woman is, and to express her disapproval at the acceptance of trans women in society. In the comment section conservatives paraded around her, supporting her claims.
Rowling claimed in her post to have no issue with people assigned female at birth expressing themselves however they please, whether that be in a femme or masculine light, but she does express anger at trans women simply existing. Rowling disguises her bigotry as a plea to protect cis women’s rights, though there is no evidence to support trans women being a legitimate threat to the rights and safety of cis women.
Musk himself is known to post ignorant claims on X, including trans exclusionary comments. In a since-deleted post, Musk wrote “While I heartily agree with your points regarding sex/gender, may I suggest also posting interesting and positive content on other matters?”
Reports from Them, indicate Musk had spent plenty of time during Pride month in 2023, promoting transphobic content on his platform. This included the highly controversial and hateful “documentary” by journalist Matt Walsh entitled What is a Woman? which Them refers to as “a 95-minute exercise in transmisogynist propaganda.” Musk quoted Walsh on X and wrote “Every parent should watch this.”
Rowling has been under hot water for many years for her open transphobia. According to LGBTQ Nation, Rowling first revealed her anti-trans views by tweeting support for an anti-transgender activist. In the following years, she’s put out her own comments against trans people and a nearly 4000 word transphobic essay, while also being called out for the blatantly racist depictions of characters and themes in the Harry Potter series.
Though we’re not sure what Musk was trying to achieve by calling out Rowling (since he already promotes hateful activity on his platform) we’re keeping watch of the pair’s transphobia contest.
