Elon Musk's Parenting Comments Spark Backlash on X

The Twitter owner's remarks about childless adults 'lacking a stake in the future' draw criticism from users.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), faced backlash after tweeting that people without children 'lack a stake in the future'. Musk made the comments in response to an article about philosopher Amanda Askell, who works at the AI company Anthropic. Musk also criticized Askell's ex-partner Will MacAskill for 'preaching about the declining birth rate' without having children himself. However, Musk's own relationship with his children has been complicated, with custody battles and estrangement from his daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson over his views on trans rights.

Why it matters

Musk's comments touch on sensitive topics around parenting, personal choices, and the role of childless adults in society. The backlash highlights the divisive nature of these issues and the strong reactions they can provoke, especially from a public figure like Musk.

The details

In a series of tweets, Musk argued that people without children 'lack a stake in the future' and criticized Askell and her ex-partner for not having children themselves despite 'preaching about the declining birth rate'. Musk's comments come amid ongoing controversies around his relationship with his own children, including custody battles and estrangement from his daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson over his views on trans rights.

  • Musk tweeted the remarks on Saturday, February 16, 2026.
  • Last month, Musk said his AI chatbot should have a 'moral constitution', amid a scandal over the technology 'undressing' images of women and children.

The players

Elon Musk

The owner of X (formerly Twitter) and CEO of various technology companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.

Amanda Askell

A philosopher and ethicist who works at the San Francisco artificial intelligence company Anthropic.

Will MacAskill

Amanda Askell's ex-partner, who Musk criticized for 'preaching about the declining birth rate' without having children himself.

Vivian Jenna Wilson

Elon Musk's estranged daughter, who has clashed with him over his views on trans rights.

Grimes

A former partner of Elon Musk, with whom he has had custody battles.

Ashley St Clair

An ex-right wing influencer who claims Musk was the father of her son, leading to further custody issues.

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What they’re saying

“Will [MacAskill, Amanda's ex, offered to help write the Grok Constitution, but he has been preaching about the declining birth rate for a decade and has done nothing to have even one kid, nor has Amanda. Constitutions should not be written by hypocrites.”

— Elon Musk (X (Twitter)

“It depends on how much you care about people in general vs. your own kin. I do intend to have kids, but I still feel like I have a strong personal stake in the future because I care a lot about people thriving, even if they're not related to me.”

— Amanda Askell, Philosopher and Ethicist (X (Twitter)

What’s next

Musk's comments have sparked a wider debate about the role of childless adults in society, and it remains to be seen how this controversy will continue to unfold.

The takeaway

Musk's remarks on parenting have once again highlighted his tendency to make controversial statements that provoke strong reactions, especially on sensitive social issues. This incident underscores the need for public figures to approach such topics with empathy and nuance.