Tech billionaire and government official Elon Musk is once again in the spotlight after making a bold comment about the increase in people identifying as transgender in the United States.

Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump’s second-term administration, reacted to recent CDC data showing more adults—especially those born between 1990 and 2005—are identifying as transgender.

The data was shared by author John LeFerre on social media platform X. In response, Musk wrote: “Woke mind virus in action. Now, it is time for the mind virus to die.”

This statement is part of Musk’s ongoing criticism of what he calls “woke ideology.” It comes as the Trump administration is making strong policy moves on transgender issues.

Earlier this year, in February 2025, President Trump signed an order stopping biological males from joining women’s sports. The move caused mixed reactions across the country—some praised it, while others protested.

Musk’s comments also come just after a major court decision in the UK. The UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. That decision led to protests from transgender rights groups in different parts of the country.

Musk’s remarks have added to the ongoing debate about gender identity and government policy, both in the U.S. and around the world.