'If You Have A Womb, You're A Woman': Elon Musk's Post Triggers Debate

Tech billionaire Elon Musk triggered a debate with a controversial post on X, in which he said that the definition of womanhood is based on the presence of a womb. His remarks highlighted deep divisions on gender identity.

In his message, Musk declared, “If you have a womb, you are a woman. Otherwise, you are not.”

If you have a womb, you are a woman.

Otherwise, you are not.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 13, 2025

The post drew mixed reactions from users. Supporters praised Musk’s straightforward biological stance. Can’t believe we are now in an era to where you had to state the obvious,” a user commented, to which Musk said, “Seriously!”

Seriously 🤦‍♂️

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 13, 2025

Critics of Musk argued the post is “factually inaccurate”,

emphasising that “sex and gender are different,” and gender identity transcends biology. Other users highlighted contradictions with hysterectomies.

“A womb is a biological trait, but being a “woman” isn’t limited to anatomy alone — identity, biology, and lived reality are more complex than that.
Simple lines go viral; truth is usually layered,” a user said.

This post came after Musk’s repeated critiques of “woke” gender identity policies and his pro-natalist views on reproductive roles amid global fertility declines below replacement levels. It highlighted the continuing tension between traditional definitions and contemporary approaches to inclusivity in gender discourse.

Apart from Musk, US Vice President JD Vance and other right-wing leaders have advocated for having more babies to prevent population decline. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging support for in vitro fertilisation, recognising “the importance of family formation and that our nation’s public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children”.