Elon Musk is making headlines again, reigniting the culture wars and taking shots at progressives. This isn’t just another Twitter moment; it’s a strategic move from the wealthiest person on the planet, who recently faced a challenging stretch in the public eye.
The last few months have been particularly tough for Musk. His relationship with Donald Trump soured following a series of controversial posts leading to a rare public apology. On June 11, Musk tweeted, “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.” This admission highlights the toll the fallout took not only on Musk’s reputation among conservative supporters but also on his companies.
I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025
Since then, Tesla, the electric vehicle company Musk leads, has struggled significantly. First-quarter deliveries dropped by 13%, with net income plummeting by 71% compared to last year. Additionally, the company’s stock has dipped over 20% since January.
In an attempt to regain focus, Musk is back to promoting Tesla’s upcoming products, like the much-anticipated robotaxis set to launch on June 22 in Austin, Texas. However, it seems that politics remains his preferred battleground.
On June 21, Musk turned to X (formerly known as Twitter) to make a bold statement against “wokeism.” He posted, “Baby, what happened to Woke? Dead, my darling, Woke is dead.”
“Baby, what happened to Woke?”
Dead, my darling, Woke is dead.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2025
His post went viral, racking up over 35 million views, resonating strongly with conservative users who echoed his sentiments. Some claimed, “Woke tried to replace Faith, family, and facts—and lost.”
Woke tried to replace faith, family, and facts and lost.
— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) June 21, 2025
However, not everyone agreed. Some users cautioned that “Woke is not dead – It’s regrouping.”
Wokeness is not dead — it’s regrouping, seeking new disguises.
— Karol Wilkosz (@WilkoszKarol) June 21, 2025
Another user challenged Musk directly about his views on the LGBTQ+ community, suggesting they stem from personal issues. This prompted a response from X’s built-in chatbot, Grok, which noted the ambiguity of Musk’s intentions and reiterated Tesla’s commitment to inclusivity.
Musk’s fight against “woke” culture is both ideological and personal, stemming from conflicts within his family. He has publicly attributed this fight to a perception that progressive culture turned his transgender daughter against him. “My son, Xavier, died. He was killed by the woke mind virus. Now, the woke mind virus will die,” he tweeted earlier this year.
Exactly.
My son, Xavier, died. He was killed by the woke mind virus.
Now, the woke mind virus will die.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2025
Musk perceives “wokeism” as a fundamental threat to Western civilization, and under his ownership, X has transformed into a platform that amplifies critiques of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), gender identity, and political correctness.
His financial contributions to Trump’s 2024 campaign totaled nearly $290 million (€270 million), and in return, he took on a role as head of a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, this alliance quickly soured due to disagreements over policy and governance, leading to an online spat that resulted in Musk’s apology.
Now, by deriding “wokeism,” Musk appears to be courting Trump’s supporters once more. Whether this cultural pivot is enough to reconcile his standing with far-right supporters remains uncertain. His recent fallout with Trump exposed ideological differences that might be challenging to bridge. Yet, Musk seems confident that a shared disdain for liberals and “woke” elites can bring them back together.
So, what drives Musk’s statements and his persistence in this cultural clash? It’s a deep-seated belief, shared with many MAGA supporters, that progressive politics must be countered to preserve traditional values.
As Musk continues to innovate with Tesla’s products and advance AI tools, expect him to remain vocal in this ongoing cultural skirmish. This isn’t just about power; it’s also about staying relevant in an increasingly polarized world.
What does this all mean for the future of Musk and his ventures? Let’s explore more about the evolving landscape of tech and politics. For deeper insights, check out Moyens I/O.
What are Elon Musk’s latest controversies?
Musk recently faced backlash for his comments about Trump and “wokeism,” leading to a rare public apology.
How has Musk’s relationship with Trump evolved?
The two have experienced a rocky relationship, with Musk initially supporting Trump but later criticizing him, culminating in a public fallout.
What impact has Musk’s political stance had on Tesla?
Tesla has seen a significant decline in sales and stock performance, which some analysts attribute to Musk’s political controversies.
Is “wokeism” really dead according to Musk?
Musk has claimed that “wokeism” is dead, but reactions from social media suggest opinions are mixed regarding this assertion.
How does Musk’s fight against “wokeism” relate to his personal life?
His critiques appear to be influenced by family conflicts, particularly with his transgender daughter, leading him to frame the issue in personal and ideological terms.