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| - In mid-November 2024, a rumor circulated online that X owner Elon Musk had blocked Disney's Pride content from appearing on his social media platform. According to the claim, the billionaire said he made the move to "protect" children from what he described as "woke" culture.
For example, one Facebook user posted the claim on Nov. 16, amassing more than 53,000 reactions and 17,000 comments as of this writing.
Other examples of the rumor appeared in X posts, Facebook Reels and multiple Instagram posts.
The posts did not make it clear what Disney media, exactly, would fall under the alleged block. Regardless, some social media users appeared to believe the rumor was true. One person wrote of Musk on Instagram: "He's Doing the Lord's work."
However, the story was fictional.
(Patriotic Strength/Facebook)
In the post's comments section, the author pinned a Nov. 12 article on Zapon.com that offered additional details on Musk's alleged ban:
Elon Musk Blocks Disney's Pride Content on X, Says 'Woke' Isn't for Kids
Elon Musk's recent decision to restrict Disney's Pride-related content on his social media platform X has stirred controversy and sparked debate about the intersection of social values, media influence, and children's programming. Musk has been vocal about his belief that "woke" messaging, particularly content involving discussions of gender identity and LGBTQ+ themes, should not be presented to children. His move to ban Disney's Pride content on X is framed by his assertion that these themes are "inappropriate for children" and should be carefully curated in spaces they might access.
This decision underscores Musk's growing concerns over what he perceives as "woke" messaging in media targeted at younger audiences. He has expressed reservations about companies, particularly those in the entertainment industry, incorporating social justice themes or content that advocates for diversity and inclusivity, labeling these efforts as "woke" and inappropriate for children. Musk argues that parents should have control over the type of content their children are exposed to and that platforms like X should play a role in ensuring that messaging aligns with "traditional" or "neutral" values for younger audiences.
In Zapon.com's "About Us" section, the website describes itself as "your go-to source for all things satire, where we take a humorous twist on the biggest headlines in celebrity culture and politics."
A few days later, on Nov. 17, the SpaceX Fanclub Facebook page posted a similar claim, suggesting that Musk was permanently blocking all content related to Pride on X, not just Disney-specific media. In the comments, the author of that post shared a link to an article on Esspots.com, which read:
Pride Content Blocked On X Permanently, 'Protecting Kids Comes First'
Elon Musk has found himself at the center of another social media firestorm, this time for X's new policy limiting the visibility of Pride-related content. Musk defended the decision in his signature blunt style, tweeting, "It's not good for kids," as the platform began de-prioritizing LGBTQ+ hashtags, ads, and posts. The move has drawn sharp criticism from activists, celebrities, and users who accuse Musk of rolling back progress in inclusivity, while some conservative voices are hailing him as a "defender of family values."
Under the new policy, content promoting Pride Month, LGBTQ+ rights, or inclusive messaging will be flagged as "age-sensitive," reducing its reach and visibility. Musk claimed the decision was about "protecting young minds," but critics argue it sends a dangerous message that equates LGBTQ+ visibility with something inappropriate for children.
Like Zapon.com, the SpaceX Fanclub Facebook account and Esspots website identify themselves as creators of satire and parody.
No credible news outlets reported on Musk blocking Pride content on X. Likewise, the X post attributed to Musk in the Esspots article — "It's not good for kids" — does not exist.
While some social media posts about the alleged block labeled the claim as satirical, some did not.
Snopes has addressed stories about Musk stemming from satirical sources before, such as the rumor that he was planning to acquire ABC in order to remove "wokeness" from the network and the claim that he said Pride flags should be banned from classrooms.
For background, here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that call their output humorous or satirical.
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