In a turn of events that intertwines the worlds of sports, culture, and business, Elon Musk has publicly declared his support for Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker whose recent speech has sparked widespread debate. Musk, known for his assertive presence in the tech industry and frequent forays into public discourse, extended his support via Twitter, affirming his stance on freedom of speech and aligning himself with Butker’s right to express personal views.

Harrison Butker’s contentious speech at Benedictine College in Kansas drew sharp lines among supporters and critics. He addressed a variety of topics, including abortion, LGBT Pride, and what he termed as “degenerate cultural values,” sparking a fiery debate on social media and among public figures. His remarks, which also criticized the current administration and voiced support for traditional gender roles, led nearly 160,000 people to sign a petition demanding his dismissal from the NFL.

Elon Musk’s tweet, “I stand with Harrison and freedom of speech,” not only catapulted the discussion into a wider arena but also underscored the Tesla CEO’s consistent advocacy for unrestricted speech. Musk, who has himself been at the center of various controversies related to his statements and decisions, positioned his support for Butker as a matter of principle, emphasizing the importance of upholding the First Amendment.