At 09:51 AM +07 on June 4, 2025, billionaire Elon Musk continued to stir up controversy when he announced that he would reward baseball star Mike Yastrzemski with $500,000 and a Tesla if he publicly refused to celebrate Pride Month. Musk emphasized that it was time to end the “WOKE era”, sparking a fierce debate on social media, especially on X. The keyword “Elon Musk Mike Yastrzemski Pride Month” quickly became the focus of global attention.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, has been relentless in criticizing the “WOKE” movement in recent days. He previously made similar offers to NASCAR driver Kyle Larson and MLB star Jose Altuve, and threatened to confront Pride Month supporters like driver Joey Logano. This time, Musk targeted Mike Yastrzemski, a San Francisco Giants player known for his impressive performance and baseball legacy from the legendary Yastrzemski family. Musk said that refusing Pride Month would help the sport stay away from social issues and focus on the core values of competition.
Mike Yastrzemski has not yet responded to Musk’s offer. However, the move comes as MLB is actively preparing for Pride Month celebrations. Many teams, including the Giants, often hold events in support of the LGBTQ+ community, such as wearing rainbow-colored uniforms and holding community meetings. On X, baseball fans have begun to share mixed opinions. Some are concerned that Musk’s offer could put undue pressure on Yastrzemski, while others support Musk’s stance that sports should not be influenced by social movements.
The public reaction has been varied and fierce. Some people support Musk, saying that he is defending traditional values and helping the sport return to its true nature. However, many others criticize his actions, saying that using money and gifts to influence personal views is inappropriate and can increase tensions in the sports community. Hashtags like #ElonMuskMikeYastrzemski and #PrideMonth2025 are attracting millions of interactions on X, reflecting the deep divide in public opinion.
Elon Musk’s offer to Mike Yastrzemski continues to heat up the debate about the role of social movements in sports. Will Yastrzemski accept this reward and publicly oppose Pride Month, or will he remain silent under pressure from public opinion? This debate promises to continue and create more turmoil in the future. What do you think about this issue?