New Delhi: In a classic case of the internet making his reputation unravel, Elon Musk stoked a social media controversy with a comment on Instagram in just a split second. Elon Musk is back in social media controversy after a quick tweet on Instagram. The billionaire businessman made the comment about Instagram being for girls in a recent post on X, which had drawn a lot of users’ reactions on various platforms.
The discussion started when Musk replied to a viral thread talking about how people behave on social media. The initial thread was humorous, about the online behaviors of posting selfies, sharing food pictures, uploading numerous stories, and posting “thirst traps.” Musk replied to the post with a brief comment saying: “Instagram is for girls.”
But it got a lot more controversial when Musk commented on another post to guys who post their IG on his profile. According to him, he has been getting reports of grown men sending him his Instagram profile and he is wondering “what am I transitioning into?” The statement got a lot of negative comments from users of the social platform, who found it offensive and sexist.
Lmao
Instagram is for girls
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 15, 2026
The time elapsed until the comments became available online was brief, and shortly after that spread on X, Instagram and Reddit, respectively. Musk’s thoughts were soon discussed on X, Instagram and Reddit by users. The issues surrounding his comments were shrouded in speculation, as some defended him, claiming that he was just poking fun and making light of the social media culture. Others said such statements by one of the world’s most powerful tech CEOs can perpetuate ingrained gender and online stereotyping.
There were a few who noted that there are millions of male users and creators on Instagram, such as athletes, businessmen, photographers, and influencers, among others. Websites such as this are meant for all, so critics say that it shouldn’t be called “for girls” only.
It’s not the first time Musk has been critical of platforms owned by Meta. Throughout the years, he has repeatedly branded X (formerly called Twitter) as more open and serious than Instagram or WhatsApp. Musk’s feud with Mark Zuckerberg has also fueled such online chatter.
The comments have been continuing online since, though they have been less popular due to the backlash. The comments are still trending; people have been creating memes and reactions related to the debate. Some interpret the posts as ‘suspenseful comedy’ meant to garner attention, while others argue that although the Internet can function as a democratic forum, influential public figures must be more wary with their remarks on matters related to gender and identity.
