Why is everyone cancelling Netflix- and why is Elon Musk backing it?

The hashtag #CancelNetflix has surged across X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users sharing screenshots confirming they’ve cancelled their subscriptions. At the centre of the controversy is a growing backlash against Netflix over the conduct of Dead End: Paranormal Park creator Hamish Steele – and the issue has now gained high-profile backing from billionaire Elon Musk.

What is the issue?

The outrage began after Steele allegedly mocked the murder of right-wing political activist and close Trump ally Charlie Kirk in a post widely shared online. In the now-viral screenshot, Steele responded to a tribute by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer with the line: “Your sympathy for any of the families being slaughtered by your own weapons but a random Nazi gets shot and it's a public statement.” Critics viewed this as Steele celebrating Kirk’s death, which rapidly fuelled calls for a boycott.

Steele’s Netflix series had already been controversial in some circles, criticised by conservative commentators for incorporating transgender themes in a show aimed at younger viewers. Those criticising Netflix claim the platform is pushing “woke and trans ideology” on children, and the Steele controversy has reignited those claims.

Did Elon Musk join the boycott?

The boycott gained serious momentum when Elon Musk joined in. Musk reposted a message by former US Energy Department scientist Matt Vanswol, who 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.” Musk added a one-word response: “same” – strongly suggesting he had also cancelled his Netflix subscription for the same reasons.

With Musk’s endorsement, the movement quickly escalated. Critics argue Netflix has been tone-deaf in its response and have called for greater accountability from the streaming giant over its programming choices and creators' public behaviour.

As of now, Netflix has not publicly addressed the backlash.