There is no evidence that Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has blocked Disney Pride content on his platform, nor that he has publicly stated that “WOKE is not for kids,” as viral social media posts claim. These claims, which have generated intense controversy online, appear to have originated in a satirical article published on November 12, 2024, by the website Zapon, according to verifications carried out by Reuters and other fact-checking outlets such as PolitiFact, Chequeado, and ColombiaCheck. Despite the lack of evidence, the narrative has triggered a heated debate about freedom of expression, media representation, and content moderation policies on digital platforms.
Musk’s alleged statement was widely circulated through posts on Facebook, X, and Threads, accompanied by images showing Musk next to the logo for Disney Pride, a Disney-owned collection that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community through audiovisual productions. The posts claimed that Musk had ordered hashtags like #Pride2025 and #LoveIsLove to be “deprioritized,” in addition to restricting ads with LGBTQ+ content to age-restricted audiences. However, a thorough search of Musk’s official X account and Disney’s communication channels revealed no evidence of such actions or statements. In fact, Disney Pride-related posts, such as a June 2, 2023, tweet about the documentary “Pride From Above,” remain visible on the platform without restrictions.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has not issued a direct, nine-word response to Musk regarding this rumor, as viral posts suggest. However, relations between the two have been strained since November 2023, when Disney pulled its advertising from X following a controversy over Musk’s comment supporting an anti-Semitic tweet. During the New York Times DealBook Summit in 2023, Musk angrily responded to advertisers who left the platform, including Disney, with an explicit message: “Fuck off.” At that same summit, Iger justified Disney’s decision, stating that partnering with Musk and X was not positive for the company following their controversial statements.
In April 2024, Iger addressed criticism from Musk and others who accused Disney of promoting a “woke agenda” in its productions, such as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in films like Lightyear or Elemental . In an interview with CNBC, Iger noted that the term “woke” is misunderstood by many and used indiscriminately. “I think a lot of people don’t even really understand what it means,” he said, emphasizing that Disney’s priority is entertaining a diverse audience without being distracted by external controversies. Although this statement doesn’t exactly contain nine words, it has been interpreted as an elegant and measured response to Musk’s provocations, highlighting his focus on emotional intelligence and business acumen.
Misinformation surrounding the alleged Disney Pride event has fueled tensions on social media, with users praising and criticizing Musk in equal measure. Some see him as a defender of traditional values, while others accuse him of censoring inclusive content. This episode reflects the challenges of combating misinformation on digital platforms, especially when satirical posts are shared without context. Media outlets such as Factchequeado and OhMyGeek! have pointed out that the lack of clear labeling on the original posts contributed to the confusion, amplifying the false narrative.
Disney, for its part, has maintained its commitment to diverse representation, as evidenced by its Pride collection, which includes films, series, and short films that highlight the LGBTQ+ community. The company has not issued a statement reacting to the rumored ban, and its official website continues to actively promote Disney Pride products. Meanwhile, Musk has continued to use X to express his opinions on various topics, including criticism of what he calls the “woke virus,” though without specific reference to Disney’s alleged content block.
This case highlights how quickly misinformation can spread and the impact of polarized narratives on public discourse. As social media platforms face the challenge of balancing free speech with content moderation, figures like Musk and Iger will continue to be central to cultural and media debates. For now, Iger’s supposed nine-word response remains an echo of online speculation, unfounded in reality.
