U.S. media reported that Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, made comments on the changing U.S. demographic structure during an interview, warning that the decline in the white population would have serious consequences for the country's future, which sparked widespread controversy and led to strong opposition, debate, criticism, anger, and intense discussion online.
In a clip of a documentary exploring the conspiracy theory of "white genocide," Errol Musk responded to the U.S. Census Bureau's projections. The projection shows that by the mid-2040s, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites in the U.S. population is expected to fall below 50%. Musk described this projected change as "a very, very bad thing" and claimed that if whites become a minority, the U.S. would "be done."
"Do you want to see America decline? Why?" Musk asked in the interview. "Don't you like electric vehicles or technology? What is it that you want to go back to the jungle?" These statements were widely criticized for implying that technological progress depends on racial demographics. Musk then compared it to his home country, South Africa, arguing that the historically small white population promoted "European culture" and values, contributing to the country's development.
During the conversation, Musk denied the claim that Black people in South Africa suffered from systemic oppression under the apartheid system, calling such claims "nonsense." These assertions were directly refuted on the show and widely condemned by historians and commentators. Apartheid lasted until the early 1990s and was recognized internationally as a system of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression, with records from courts, governments, and human rights organizations around the world. Political Context and Reactions
Musk's remarks triggered a strong backlash on social media and international media, with critics arguing that his views echoed long-discredited racial and civilization theories. This controversy comes amid growing sensitivity globally regarding race, immigration, and identity politics. These statements also intersected with recent political tensions in South Africa—previously, Donald Trump claimed there was a "white genocide" in the country, a claim that has been repeatedly refuted by South African authorities and independent investigations. # Actual Data Shows
The U.S. Census Bureau's projections indicate that changes in the U.S. demographic structure are driven by long-term trends, including lower birth rates among non-Hispanic whites, higher birth rates among other groups, and immigration. Demographers point out that becoming a "minority white" nation does not mean any group dominates in numbers, nor does it mean economic or technological decline. Historically, periods of immigration and demographic transformation in the U.S. often coincided with innovation and growth.
Nevertheless, Musk's interview with CNN has placed him at the center of a global debate on demographics, culture, and identity, highlighting how population data is increasingly interpreted through political and ideological lenses rather than empirical evidence.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7592262765381698058/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.