Elon Musk Deletes Netflix Account Over Trans-Inclusive Series

A social media firestorm has erupted around Netflix and its animated series "Dead End: Paranormal Park," leading to a boycott campaign spearheaded by Elon Musk that has resulted in a reported spike in subscription cancellations for the streaming platform.

The controversy began when Hamish Steele, creator of the LGBTQ+-inclusive children's show, made inflammatory comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following Kirk's assassination in September 2025. Steele called Kirk a "Nazi" and criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's tribute to Kirk, writing controversial remarks that have since been widely circulated on social media .

"Dead End: Paranormal Park," which premiered on Netflix in 2022 and was canceled after two seasons in 2023, follows protagonist Barney, a transgender teenage boy who runs away to live in a haunted house attraction after his grandmother refuses to accept his gender identity. The show also features other diverse characters, including a bisexual Pakistani-American teenage girl with autism and a gay Vietnamese-American character who serves as Barney's love interest .

The series was rated appropriate for ages seven and up and was promoted on Netflix Kids, a fact that has become central to the current controversy. Conservative activist account Libs of TikTok recently shared a clip from the show featuring Barney discussing his transgender identity, writing: "Dead End Paranormal Park, a show on Netflix, is pushing pro-transgender on CHILDREN. This show is advertised for 7-YEAR-OLDS" .

Elon Musk amplified the controversy by sharing Libs of TikTok's post about the show, stating "this is not ok." When Steele's comments about Charlie Kirk surfaced, Musk escalated his criticism, calling Steele a "groomer" and sharing imagery comparing Netflix to the Trojan horse, suggesting the platform was indoctrinating American youth with what he termed "woke" ideology .

Musk then explicitly called for a boycott, writing "Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids" and responding "Same" to a post by former Department of Energy nuclear scientist Matt Van Swol, who announced he had canceled his Netflix subscription .

Musk's strong stance against transgender representation in children's media appears connected to his personal experiences as the father of Vivian Jenna Wilson, who began transitioning at age 16. Musk has previously claimed he was "tricked" into giving consent for Wilson to begin transitioning and has said that "his son" was "dead, killed by the woke mind virus." The relationship between Musk and Wilson has been described as estranged .

The boycott campaign has gained significant traction on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with Libs of TikTok sharing dozens of posts from users showing screenshots of their canceled Netflix accounts. Users have cited both Steele's comments about Charlie Kirk and the show's LGBTQ+ content as reasons for their cancellations .

Matt Van Swol wrote: "Just cancelled my Netflix subscription. If you employ someone who celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk and makes content that pushes pro-trans content on my kids. You will NEVER get a dime of my money. It's simple as that" .

Another user commented: "Netflix is doubling down on pushing woke and trans ideology at children. Parents should think twice before letting their kids watch. Even Elon Musk has had enough and canceled his Netflix subscription today. Time to cancel Netflix" .

The controversy surrounding "Dead End: Paranormal Park" reflects broader cultural tensions about LGBTQ+ representation in children's programming. The show was notable for featuring a transgender protagonist in a series aimed at younger audiences, representing a relatively rare example of transgender visibility in children's entertainment.

The series addressed themes of family acceptance, identity, and belonging through its supernatural comedy format. Barney's storyline specifically dealt with the challenges faced by transgender youth when family members struggle to accept their gender identity, a reality experienced by many transgender young people.

While the exact financial impact of the boycott campaign on Netflix remains unclear, the streaming platform has reportedly experienced a surge in subscription cancellations related to this controversy . The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by entertainment companies as they navigate cultural and political divisions around LGBTQ+ content.

The controversy also raises questions about the responsibilities of content creators on social media platforms and how their personal statements can affect the reception of their professional work. Steele has since protected his posts on X, limiting public access to his social media activity .

The catalyst for Steele's controversial comments was the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a former aide to US President Donald Trump, who was shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Kirk was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery but succumbed to his injuries. The alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, was arrested two days later .

As of the publication of this article, Netflix has not issued an official statement regarding the boycott campaign or Steele's comments. LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have also not yet publicly responded to the controversy, though the situation continues to develop rapidly on social media platforms.

The incident underscores the ongoing cultural debates surrounding LGBTQ+ representation in media, particularly content aimed at children and young audiences. It also demonstrates how social media controversies can quickly escalate and potentially impact corporate bottom lines in the current media landscape.

The situation remains fluid, with the full extent of the boycott's impact on Netflix's subscriber base yet to be determined. However, the controversy has already sparked broader conversations about content creation, social media responsibility, and the intersection of politics and entertainment in contemporary media.