Elon Musk Continues Attack on Disney, Calls it “DEI Gestapo”
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has launched another scathing attack on The Walt Disney Co. In a series of tweets, Musk accused Disney of enforcing discriminatory laws and referred to the company as a “DEI gestapo.” This comes just a day after Musk shared Disney’s “Inclusion Standards” memo and accused the company of institutionalized racism and sexism.
Musk took to Twitter to express his disdain for what he called Disney’s “racist, sexist, etc. discriminatory set of laws enforced by Disney’s DEI Gestapo.” He went on to blame these policies for the perceived decline in the quality of Disney’s recent content, stating that “Just trying to navigate the DEI minefield is going to crush the creative process!”
This is not the first time Musk has criticized diversity policies. He previously targeted Apple Inc. and IBM for their decisions to pull advertisements from his social media platform, X, due to his posts endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories. Musk also called out IBM’s CEO, Arvind Krishna, over leaked videos showcasing diversity-focused hiring practices at IBM.
Musk’s ongoing dispute with Disney began when he shared a supposed Disney “General Entertainment Content Inclusion Standards” document leaked by an anonymous source. The document outlined detailed diversity criteria for different roles in Disney productions. Musk accused the entertainment giant of institutionalized racism and sexism based on the contents of the document.
Interestingly, Musk’s criticism of Disney has found support from others. Gina Carano, a former MMA fighter and actress, filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm after being fired from “The Mandalorian” series over controversial tweets she posted last year. Musk reposted Carano’s tweet and invited his followers to join the lawsuit against Disney.
The clash between Musk and Disney highlights the ongoing debate surrounding diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. While diversity initiatives are aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment, critics argue that they may stifle creativity and limit freedom of expression.
As Musk continues his public criticism of Disney and other companies, it remains to be seen how this ongoing dispute will unfold. However, it is clear that Musk is not afraid to share his opinions and challenge what he perceives as unfair practices in the industry.
In the meantime, the controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of open dialogue and constructive discussions surrounding diversity and inclusion. It is crucial for companies to find a balance between promoting diversity and allowing creative freedom, ensuring that all individuals feel valued and heard in the process.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
