Elon Musk Praises 'Monty Python' Trans Debate Scene: 'They Saw This Coming'

Elon Musk has praised the classic 1979 movie Monty Python's Life of Brian for a transgender debate scene, saying the comedy troupe "saw this coming."

The film tells the story of a Jewish Roman called Brian Cohen, portrayed by Graham Chapman, who is born next door to Jesus Christ on the same day and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah.

In one scene, the characters played by John Cleese (Reg), Michael Palin (Francis), Sue Jones-Davies (Judith Iscariot) and Eric Idle (Stan/Loretta) are seen speaking conspiratorially in a Roman amphitheater.

During the group's conversation, Stan is questioned over his frequently insertion of female pronouns into the dialogue. After a long pause, Stan reveals: "I want to be a woman. From now on I want you all to call me Loretta."

"It's my right as a man," Stan asserts, adding: "I want to have babies…It's every man's right to have babies if he wants them."

"But you can't have babies," Reg responds, prompting Stan to shoot back: "Don't you oppress me."

"I'm not oppressing you, Stan—you haven't got a womb," says Reg. "Where's the
fetus going to gestate? You going to keep it in a box?"

After Stan starts to cry, Judith chimes in with her idea: "Suppose you agree that he can't actually have babies, not having a womb, which is nobody's fault, not even the Romans,' but that he can have the right to have babies."

"Good idea, Judith," says Francis. "We shall fight the oppressors for your right to
have babies, brother. Sister, sorry."

"What's the point of fighting for his right to have babies, when he can't have babies?" Reg, who is unconvinced, asks.

"It is symbolic of our struggle against oppression," explains Francis, to which Reg responds: "It's symbolic of his struggle against reality."

The scene was shared on Tuesday night by a Twitter user, who wrote: "For anyone wondering why @elonmusk loves Monty Python. Just 40 years ahead of their time!"

Responding to the post, Musk tweeted: "They saw this coming in the 70's!"

Earlier in December, Musk, who has revealed that he is stepping down as CEO of Twitter two months after he purchased the social media platform, took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci in a tweet that was also seen as a jab at transgender people.

The billionaire criticized the White House's soon-to-be-retired chief medical adviser by tweeting: "My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci."

Amid the criticism over Musk's apparent stance on Fauci's advice during the pandemic, Kyle Griffin, an MSNBC executive producer, pointed out that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO's tweet was "denigrating the trans community."

In July 2020, Musk opened himself up to backlash when he tweeted a controversial two-word opinion: "Pronouns suck."

At the time, his comments received huge backlash online, with his then-partner Grimes replying in a since-deleted tweet: "I love you but please turn off ur phone or give me a [call]. I cannot support hate. Please stop this. I know this isn't your heart."

Later that year, Musk was criticized once again for sharing a meme seemingly mocking people who put their pronouns in their online bios.

Clarifying his stance after receiving further backlash, Musk tweeted on December 16, 2020: "I absolutely support trans, but all these pronouns are an esthetic nightmare."

Earlier this year, it was revealed that one of Musk's nine living children is transgender. She asked for a new name and birth certificate through the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The young woman is one of six children that Musk had with his ex-wife, Justine Wilson.

According to multiple reports, her legally recognized name is Vivian Jenna Wilson. She wrote in her application for the name change—which was filed in April—that her decision was made on the grounds of "Gender Identity and the fact that I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form."

In an October interview with the Financial Times, Musk said that his child's decision to distance herself from him was influenced by "neo-Marxists" at educational institutions.

"It's full-on communism and a general sentiment that if you're rich, you're evil," Musk said, though he did not specify which establishments he was referring to.

The entrepreneur noted that his strained relationship with his daughter "may change" in the future, adding: "I have very good relationships with all the others. Can't win them all."

In November, as he faced backlash for implementing a new $8-per-month charge for Twitter verification, Musk said that he took inspiration for the policy from a Monty Python sketch, sharing a clip of the scene in question.

"To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8," he tweeted. "Totally stole idea of charging for insults & arguments from Monty Python tbh."

The scene showed a man entering an office where people pay to have confrontations with a professional arguer.

Monty Python star Idle did not take kindly to the revelation, responding in a tweet: "So you're allowed to steal but you wish to charge us to verify who we are? Good luck with that then."