The billionaire Tesla CEO shared a controversial image apparently mocking users who specify their preferred pronouns on their profile description. He had been previously called out by members of the public and his partner, Grimes, he tweeted that “pronouns suck”.
The image depicts a British Redcoat wearing a hat featuring the words “I love to oppress” on a backdrop showing a painting of the American Revolutionary War.
The subject is seen smearing blood on his face with the caption to the bizarre image reading: “When you put he/him in [your] bio.”
Other social media users were quick to condemn the alleged transphobic connotations.
One Twitter user said: “I was sure people put he/him she/her etc in bios to normalise putting pronouns in there so people who ate gender fluid, non binary etc can feel more comfortable and state their pronouns without people thinking it’s weird or out of nowhere.”
Another person added: “I don’t get the joke. If/when I put my preferred pronouns in my email sig or bio it would be to normalise the usage.
“As a way of showing support to the movement. Just like 99% of the times I’ve seen it in emails/bios. No big deal.”
A third commenter said: “Man you guys are straight up delusional. Transphobia rots your brain.”
However, some users did not agree with accommodating to other people’s preferred pronouns.
“Trying to get people fired/divorced/arrested/cancelled because they refuse your request is where it becomes authoritarian.”
Mr Musk’s partner, Canadian singer Grimes, previously called him out over a tweet claiming “pronouns suck”.
Grimes, who’s real name is Claire Boucher, wrote in a now-deleted tweet: “I love you but please turn off ur phone or give me a [call].
“I cannot support this hate. Please stop this. I know this is not your heart.”
The singer has openly spoken out about trans issues, refusing to reveal the gender of her baby when she was pregnant in case “that’s not how they feel.”
Asked about the gender of her baby during a YouTube live stream, Grimes said: “I don’t want to say the gender of the baby … because I feel like their privacy should be protected.
“I don’t think they can consent to being famous or being in public.”
“I don’t want to gender them in case that’s not how they feel in their life.”