Elon Musk, Others Criticize Lt. Gov. Flanagan's Parenting Advice

ST. PAUL, MN — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is facing national backlash over parenting advice she gave during a speech celebrating an executive order establishing Minnesota as a "trans refuge" law.

"When our children tell us who they are, it is our job as grown-ups to listen and to believe them," Flanagan said on March 8, after Gov. Tim Walz signed the order. "That's what it means to be a good parent."

Conservative outlet Alpha News and the Republican National Committee shared a clip from the lieutenant governor's speech. It quickly went viral and garnered the attention of billionaire SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

"Not when they’re fed propaganda by adults," Musk tweeted.

"Moreover, every child goes through an identity crisis before their personality/identity crystallizes. Therefore, we shouldn’t allow severe, irreversible surgery or sterilizing drugs that they may regret until at least age 18."

Flanagan responded to the backlash Thursday, stating on Twitter that "In Minnesota, we don’t allow bullies to keep us from doing the right thing. As long as @GovTimWalz and I are in office, we will continue fighting to ensure our trans neighbors are safe."

Walz's executive order aims to protect people seeking "gender-affirming health care services" in Minnesota, including people coming in from other states where such procedures are banned.

The order directs the Minnesota Department of Health and other state agencies to investigate and take administrative actions "for unfair or deceptive practices related to the denial of gender affirming health care services."

Walz also promised that the state will refuse requests to extradite people accused of violating a ban on gender-related procedures.