Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joins Elon Musk’s “Cancel Netflix” Push, Warns of the Consequences for America’s Children

Charlotte, NC — NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has added his voice to the growing cultural storm surrounding Netflix, backing Elon Musk’s call to “Cancel Netflix” over what critics claim is a corporate agenda to normalize LGBTQ themes in children’s programming. Earnhardt, one of the most recognizable figures in American motorsports, said he fears the long-term effects that such content could have on the nation’s youth.

“We have to ask ourselves, what happens if our kids grow up shaped more by Netflix’s agendas than by their parents’ values?” Earnhardt said. “This isn’t just about TV shows. This is about who our children become as adults.”

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A NASCAR Voice in a National Debate

Earnhardt’s comments came during a radio interview Thursday morning, when he was asked about Musk’s latest cultural clash. The Tesla CEO and owner of X (formerly Twitter) has spent the past week urging his followers to cancel Netflix subscriptions, accusing the streaming giant of “pushing a woke agenda” through its diversity initiatives and programming choices.

The controversy gained steam after right-wing accounts resurfaced posts from British animator Hamish Steele, whose Netflix series Dead End: Paranormal Park featured trans and gay characters before being canceled in 2023. Musk amplified outrage over Steele’s alleged past comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling it “not ok” and warning parents to “cancel Netflix for the health of your kids.”

Now, Earnhardt Jr.’s entrance into the debate elevates the issue into an arena rarely touched: professional motorsports. NASCAR drivers rarely weigh in on cultural battles, making Earnhardt’s statement all the more striking.

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“This Is About Protecting Kids”

The former Daytona 500 champion framed his remarks around children’s well-being.

“Look, I’m not here to attack anybody for who they are,” Earnhardt said. “But I do worry about what’s being pushed on kids, sometimes without parents even realizing. If a show or movie makes a 10-year-old question who they are before they’re ready to understand it, that’s not entertainment — that’s influence. And parents should be the ones guiding those conversations, not Netflix executives.”

He stressed that his concerns were not about representation in general, but about what he called “a deliberate agenda.”

Musk Finds an Ally in NASCAR

Musk’s campaign against Netflix has so far drawn support from conservative influencers and political figures, but Earnhardt represents a different kind of voice — a sports icon whose fan base includes millions of working-class Americans across the South and Midwest.

Analysts say that endorsement could expand the boycott’s reach beyond social media echo chambers. “When someone like Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks, people listen,” said political commentator Ben Price. “His words carry a kind of cultural credibility that politicians and CEOs don’t.”

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Netflix Under Growing Pressure

While Netflix shares dipped only slightly this week, the company faces mounting pressure as Musk and his allies continue to amplify calls for cancellation. The streaming service has so far remained silent, neither addressing Musk’s posts nor Earnhardt’s comments.

The company has previously defended its diversity programs as part of its mission to represent a global audience. Executives have pointed to worldwide hits like Squid Game and Money Heist as proof that inclusive storytelling drives success. But silence may become more difficult as the controversy grows.

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Critics Push Back

Earnhardt’s remarks sparked immediate backlash from LGBTQ advocates and progressive commentators. Many accused him of misrepresenting what inclusion means.

“Queer characters on Netflix don’t harm children,” said activist Jordan Daniels. “What harms children is teaching them that love, diversity, and identity are something to be afraid of. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is buying into a false narrative that fuels division.”

Others noted that Earnhardt’s own career has been built on breaking barriers in a sport once criticized for its lack of inclusivity.

Still, among conservative circles, his comments were hailed as a brave stand. “Dale is saying what millions of parents are thinking,” tweeted one supporter. “Thank God someone with influence is standing up for family values.”

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A Battle Over the Future

The Earnhardt–Musk alliance underscores how entertainment controversies are increasingly spilling into sports, business, and politics. What began as a dispute over an animated series has now become a referendum on the cultural direction of America.

Earnhardt ended his radio segment with a challenge to listeners:

What’s Next?

Whether Musk’s boycott campaign will materially impact Netflix remains to be seen. Celebrity-led boycotts have historically faded quickly, but Musk’s unique influence — combined now with Earnhardt’s endorsement — ensures the issue won’t disappear quietly.

For parents, for Netflix, and for the millions caught in the middle of America’s culture wars, the question lingers in Earnhardt’s words:

What happens if our children grow up shaped more by streaming agendas than by the values we pass down at home?

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