Elon Musk raised eyebrows on X by promoting a theory suggesting that democracy should be replaced with a system governed solely by “high testosterone males,” excluding women and men with lower testosterone levels.
On Sunday, Musk shared a screenshot of the theory, originally posted on 4chan in 2021, to his millions of followers on X. The theory, penned by an anonymous user, posits that only “high testosterone alpha males” and “neurodivergent individuals” are capable of independent thought and should therefore lead a “Republic” exclusively for those who can think freely.
The theory argues that individuals who cannot physically defend themselves—specifically women and men with lower testosterone—rely on consensus-driven approaches as a protective mechanism. It claims that only high testosterone males and neurodivergent people (theoretically those on the autism spectrum) are truly equipped to evaluate new information objectively.
“This is why a Republic led by high status males is ideal for decision-making,” the post asserts. “It’s a form of democracy, but one restricted to those who are truly free thinkers.”
The term “aneurotypical” used in the theory is likely a misspelling of “neurodivergent.”
Critics argue that such theories, which champion hegemonic masculinity, are inherently sexist, exclusionary, and unrealistic, often aligning with alt-right ideologies.
Musk’s response to the theory was a brief, “Interesting observation.” The theory’s dissemination came from an account named “AutismCapital,” known for sharing right-wing memes and supporting Musk’s ventures. The account referred to the theory as the “Reich effect,” apparently a jab at Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor who recently criticized Musk’s conduct.
Interesting observation https://t.co/xHD5VeS1IC
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 1, 2024
Musk’s pattern of engaging with provocative and controversial content on X reflects his broader stance on free speech, which he believes includes allowing posts that may be misleading or offensive.
This controversy is part of a larger pattern of issues for Musk and X, including recent blockades in Brazil over the platform’s handling of fake news.
