Elon Musk Falls For Yet Another Internet Lie — This Time About Netflix's 'Adolescence'
Musk did what he does best: reacting without researching. This time around, it led to a furore on X.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again found himself at the centre of controversy — this time for amplifying a spectacularly false claim about Netflix’s 'Adolescence'. The gripping new miniseries, which debuted last week, has already racked up over 24 million views, drawing both acclaim and the kind of online hysteria that makes social media unbearable.
The Show That Launched A Thousand Hot Takes
'Adolescence' tells the harrowing story of 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who is accused of murdering a classmate. The narrative unfolds in four one-take episodes, diving deep into themes of radicalization and incel culture among young boys. Featuring Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty in key roles, the show has been praised for its raw portrayal of online extremism and the dangers lurking in digital spaces.
But as always, where there’s a thought-provoking show, there’s a misinformation-fueled outrage cycle. Some users falsely claimed the series was based on a real-life case and had undergone a "race swap" to push some grand ideological agenda. Enter Elon Musk.
Musk Does What Musk Does Best
The controversy gained traction when prominent X user Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray), a man who never met a culture war he didn’t want to fight, claimed that 'Adolescence' was based on the Southport attack but had altered key details — like the perpetrator’s race — to fit a narrative. His post amassed nearly five million views before catching the attention of Musk, who, in his infinite wisdom, responded with a simple “Wow.”
The amount of viral nonsense that is posted as news on this app, often amplified by Elon Musk, is mind-boggling.
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) March 22, 2025
Adolescence is not based on the Southport attack or a single case. It was already in production and being filmed before Southport happened. pic.twitter.com/rh049RsFwH
Yes, “Wow.” A single syllable, yet enough to amplify misinformation to Musk’s nearly 220 million followers, because why verify something when you can just vibe with it?
Fact-checkers and online watchdogs scrambled to clean up the mess. As seen above, X user @Shayan86 clarified that 'Adolescence' was neither based on the Southport attack nor any real-life case, pointing out that filming began months before that incident even occurred. But, as history has shown, fact-checking rarely stands a chance against viral outrage.
The Southport Attack: What Really Happened?
The Southport attack, which some have falsely linked to 'Adolescence', took place on July 29, 2024, when 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana stormed a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, killing three girls and injuring ten others.
The shocking incident reignited discussions about online radicalisation, as Rudakubana had reportedly been influenced by extremist ideologies circulating in certain corners of the internet. Despite the tragic nature of the case, the attempt to draw parallels between the real-life attack and Netflix’s fictional drama has been widely debunked.
According to reports, shooting for 'Adolescence' began in March 2024 and wrapped sometime in September.
What 'Adolescence' Actually Wants You to Know
Contrary to the internet’s fever dreams, 'Adolescence' wasn’t cooked up in some shadowy Hollywood think tank to push a woke agenda. It was developed to highlight a disturbing trend: the increasing radicalisation of young boys through online forums.
Actor Stephen Graham, who co-wrote the series with Jack Thorne, explained its intent:
"When these things are on the news, your judgment instantly goes to blaming the family, you blame the mum and dad," Graham shared in an interview. "We’re all guilty of it because that’s the easy common denominator. I just thought, ‘What if that’s not the case at all?’"
The show unpacks how extremist ideologies seep into seemingly normal households, turning teenage boys into targets (or recruits) for toxic online movements. It’s a pressing issue — but, of course, some people would rather be outraged about a fictional TV show than acknowledge the real-world dangers it's addressing.
Musk, Misinformation, and the Social Media Dumpster Fire
Musk’s post has once again reignited concerns about the role of social media in spreading misinformation, particularly when billionaires with Twitter addictions lend credibility to unverified claims.
Users weren’t shy about voicing their frustration. One critic, @Sensanetional, described the situation as "concerning," while another, @priestleyl, labeled X a "hell site" for misinformation. Honestly, they have a point.
I hate this hell site. When Europe have won WW3, I’m off this piece of shit. https://t.co/qqa372Frcf
— Probably stoned fella. (@priestleyl) March 22, 2025
This isn’t the first time Musk has been caught playing fast and loose with the truth. Given that he owns the very platform where misinformation spreads like wildfire, one might think he'd be more careful about adding fuel to the fire. But, as we’ve learned by now, accountability is so last decade.
As 'Adolescence' continues to spark discussion, one thing is clear: the battle against online radicalization is real, and amplifying falsehoods doesn’t make it any easier.
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