Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with Provocative Comment Toward Taylor Swift Following Kamala Harris Endorsement
Billionaire Elon Musk stirred up a storm on social media following his provocative response to pop star Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Swift, who posted on Instagram to her 283 million followers, expressed her support for Harris after the debate between the current vice president and former President Donald Trump. In her post, Swift referred to herself as a “Childless Cat Lady,” a direct jab at comments made by Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, in 2021, criticizing “childless cat ladies” for their influence in Democratic circles.
Musk, the owner of X, responded to Swift’s post with a tweet that quickly drew backlash: “Fine Taylor… you win… I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.” The comment, which appeared to be in jest, was immediately perceived as inappropriate by many on the platform and beyond, with critics accusing Musk of sexual harassment and misogyny.
Swift’s endorsement of Harris was notable, given her previous silence on the 2024 election. The pop star had previously voiced her opposition to Trump, but this was her first public foray into the current political landscape. “She fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” Swift wrote about Harris. The post also took a swipe at the misinformation circulating online, including doctored images falsely showing her support for Trump.
Swift concluded her message by urging her fans, especially first-time voters, to register to vote and consider early voting options, providing links to resources. Her use of the “Childless Cat Lady” moniker was a pointed rebuke of the stereotype that Vance had invoked in his past comments, which had been widely criticized for being sexist and dismissive.
Musk’s tweet, posted on Wednesday morning, did not go over well with many of Swift’s fans and others on social media. His remark — “I will give you a child” — was viewed as not only inappropriate but also an example of Musk’s tendency to make off-color comments about women. Musk, who has fathered at least 12 children with three women, has long been outspoken about his belief in the need for higher birth rates, particularly in Western countries. His rhetoric surrounding population decline and “great replacement theory,” a white supremacist conspiracy, has raised eyebrows in the past.
The backlash was swift. Swift’s fans, often referred to as “Swifties,” took to X and other platforms to express their outrage, with many calling Musk’s comment creepy and offensive. Some pointed out the irony of Musk’s position as the owner of X, a platform whose policies prohibit abusive and harassing behavior, and yet he himself had made what many interpreted as a sexually harassing statement.
Chinese Swifties, in particular, were vocal in their disapproval. The hashtag discussing Musk’s comments on Swift trended on Weibo, China’s social media equivalent to X, accumulating millions of views. Comments ranged from criticisms of Musk’s physical appearance to denouncements of his lack of respect for women.
Musk is no stranger to controversy. His behavior on social media has often landed him in hot water. From his erratic leadership style at X, marked by technical glitches during live events, to his controversial remarks about population decline, Musk has a habit of making headlines for all the wrong reasons. His recent comment to Swift is just the latest example of how his humor, or lack thereof, can alienate people.
Adding to the tension is Musk’s apparent support of Donald Trump. Musk hosted Trump for a two-hour livestream on X in August, further cementing his position as a vocal backer of the former president. His comment to Swift came after a week in which Trump publicly praised Swift’s friend, Brittany Mahomes, and shared AI-generated images of Swift implying her support for his campaign.
Musk’s tangled personal life also frequently intersects with his public persona. The billionaire is currently engaged in a custody battle with his ex-girlfriend Grimes over their children. In addition to fathering six children with his first wife, Justine Wilson, Musk has had children with both Grimes and Shivon Zilis, a former executive at Neuralink, the brain-chip company Musk co-founded.
The fallout from Musk’s tweet has sparked conversations not only about his conduct but also about the broader implications of how powerful figures interact with women in public life. Many commentators have noted that Musk’s comment exemplifies the double standard that high-profile women like Swift face when expressing political opinions. The incident also highlights the complexities of the 2024 presidential race, where cultural icons like Swift wield significant influence over young voters.