Elon Musk has sparked controversy by urging his followers to boycott donations to Wikipedia, dubbing it “Wokepedia” until it “restore(s) balance to their editing authority.” The tech mogul’s comments came in response to a post highlighting Wikipedia’s 2023-4 annual report, which showed nearly 30% of its budget allocated to “equity” and “safety & inclusion.”

Wikipedia, the fourth most visited website globally with 6.7 billion monthly visits, has long faced accusations of bias from various political perspectives. Its open editing policy has led to contentious battles over content, particularly for controversial figures.

Musk’s call for action was prompted by a post from the conservative account “Libs of TikTok,” which claimed Wikipedia spent over $50 million on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. The platform’s budget breakdown shows $31.2 million for equity and $20.5 million for safety and inclusion out of a total $177 million budget.

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Critics argue that Wikipedia exhibits a left-leaning bias. David Rozado, an associate professor at Otago Polytechnic, found that “Wikipedia was more likely to portray right-leaning figures negatively than their left-leaning counterparts.” However, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has denied accusations of being “woke,” stating, “We do have a very long tradition of, you know, having respect for freedom of expression.”

The impact of Musk’s comments on Wikipedia’s fundraising efforts remains uncertain. As a nonprofit organization, the website relies on donations to maintain its operations.

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