Blab Politics
Globe and Mail Op-Ed Calls for Proper Hate of Elon Musk Ahead of SpaceX IPO Sparks Online Backlash
On June 12, 2026, the Globe and Mail ran a provocative opinion piece that hit the headlines the same day SpaceX went public. Titled "SpaceX is set to make Elon Musk the first trillionaire. Here’s how to properly hate him," the article was written by former Wall Street Journal reporter Chris Gay and was posted to X the day before the company’s initial public offering.
Gay argues that Musk’s projected status as the world’s first trillionaire represents a governance risk. He links the billionaire’s wealth to a broader political threat by citing a $250 million donation to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and Musk’s role as senior adviser to the Trump administration. The op‑ed claims that Musk helped create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and that the department dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), framing these actions as an attempt to undermine the progressive establishment.
The Globe and Mail’s post was heavily ratioed on X and accompanied by a Community Note that flagged the piece as an opinion article. The note also highlighted that the article contains unverified claims about Musk’s political activities.
Reactions on X were swift and largely critical. Users posted comments such as: - "This is classless and dangerous." – @jason - "You’re a disgrace @globeandmail" – @SawyerMerritt - "Reckless biased propaganda. You should be grateful instead." – @lindayaX - "I thought we were supposed to stop spreading hate" – @EricBalchunas - "Elon has created thousands of millionaires through his endeavors. What have you done outside of yapping about better humans?" – @TheRabbitHole
The op‑ed also references a separate Financial Times commentary that described Musk as a source of racial hatred in Britain. The Financial Times tweet was shared by users who criticized the article’s framing of Musk as an “evil” figure.
SpaceX’s IPO, which began trading on the Nasdaq on June 12, 2026, valued the company at $1.77 trillion and priced shares at $135. The offering raised $75 billion and made Musk the first person to cross the trillion‑dollar threshold, according to Forbes and other business outlets.
Musk’s political involvement has been documented in multiple sources. The Wikipedia entry notes that he was the largest donor in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, supporting Donald Trump with over $277 million. After Trump’s inauguration, Musk served as senior adviser and head of DOGE until May 2025. His political donations have shifted from a mix of Democratic and Republican support to a focus on right‑wing candidates since 2022.
The Globe and Mail article frames Musk’s wealth and political donations as a threat to progressive policy, but it does not provide evidence that the IPO itself will influence policy outcomes. The piece is an opinion statement, not a factual report, and it does not cite primary sources for the claims about USAID or the creation of DOGE.
The backlash on X reflects a broader pattern of online criticism of Musk’s business and political activities. The comments emphasize Musk’s contributions to job creation, clean energy, and internet access for underserved areas, contrasting with the op‑ed’s negative framing.
At this time, no official statements have been issued by the Globe and Mail, the Canadian government, or SpaceX in response to the op‑ed. The article remains on the Globe and Mail website and continues to circulate on social media.
The situation illustrates how high‑profile business ventures can become focal points for political commentary and online debate. While mainstream business media have covered the SpaceX IPO, the Globe and Mail piece has sparked a polarized discussion on X. The debate continues as the public and media assess the implications of Musk’s wealth, political donations, and the role of technology companies in shaping public discourse.
Gay argues that Musk’s projected status as the world’s first trillionaire represents a governance risk. He links the billionaire’s wealth to a broader political threat by citing a $250 million donation to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and Musk’s role as senior adviser to the Trump administration. The op‑ed claims that Musk helped create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and that the department dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), framing these actions as an attempt to undermine the progressive establishment.
The Globe and Mail’s post was heavily ratioed on X and accompanied by a Community Note that flagged the piece as an opinion article. The note also highlighted that the article contains unverified claims about Musk’s political activities.
Reactions on X were swift and largely critical. Users posted comments such as: - "This is classless and dangerous." – @jason - "You’re a disgrace @globeandmail" – @SawyerMerritt - "Reckless biased propaganda. You should be grateful instead." – @lindayaX - "I thought we were supposed to stop spreading hate" – @EricBalchunas - "Elon has created thousands of millionaires through his endeavors. What have you done outside of yapping about better humans?" – @TheRabbitHole
The op‑ed also references a separate Financial Times commentary that described Musk as a source of racial hatred in Britain. The Financial Times tweet was shared by users who criticized the article’s framing of Musk as an “evil” figure.
SpaceX’s IPO, which began trading on the Nasdaq on June 12, 2026, valued the company at $1.77 trillion and priced shares at $135. The offering raised $75 billion and made Musk the first person to cross the trillion‑dollar threshold, according to Forbes and other business outlets.
Musk’s political involvement has been documented in multiple sources. The Wikipedia entry notes that he was the largest donor in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, supporting Donald Trump with over $277 million. After Trump’s inauguration, Musk served as senior adviser and head of DOGE until May 2025. His political donations have shifted from a mix of Democratic and Republican support to a focus on right‑wing candidates since 2022.
The Globe and Mail article frames Musk’s wealth and political donations as a threat to progressive policy, but it does not provide evidence that the IPO itself will influence policy outcomes. The piece is an opinion statement, not a factual report, and it does not cite primary sources for the claims about USAID or the creation of DOGE.
The backlash on X reflects a broader pattern of online criticism of Musk’s business and political activities. The comments emphasize Musk’s contributions to job creation, clean energy, and internet access for underserved areas, contrasting with the op‑ed’s negative framing.
At this time, no official statements have been issued by the Globe and Mail, the Canadian government, or SpaceX in response to the op‑ed. The article remains on the Globe and Mail website and continues to circulate on social media.
The situation illustrates how high‑profile business ventures can become focal points for political commentary and online debate. While mainstream business media have covered the SpaceX IPO, the Globe and Mail piece has sparked a polarized discussion on X. The debate continues as the public and media assess the implications of Musk’s wealth, political donations, and the role of technology companies in shaping public discourse.
