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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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Elon Musk has criticized efforts to decolonize the birthplace of William Shakespeare in England in a bid to make it more inclusive.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust said that it was considering creating "a more inclusive museum experience," but the policies have been slammed by conservative critics on social media.
Newsweek contacted the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for more information on the policy via email.
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Why It Matters
As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has made several cuts to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies in the federal government, and has voiced opposition to similar policies on decolonization. His latest intervention also represents another foray into British politics, after his involvement with the right-wing Reform UK party.
What To Know
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has made moves to decolonize the playwright's home in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is a popular museum, according to reports from the Telegraph.
Following concerns from scholars that the continued veneration of Shakespeare risks perpetuating white supremacist narratives, the Trust has pledged to develop "a more inclusive museum experience."
Reports said that as part of this effort, the Trust plans to examine "the ongoing impact of empire" on its holdings, acknowledge how colonialism has shaped global historical narratives, and confront the role Shakespeare's works have played in reinforcing these perspectives.
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The changes were met with ire from Musk, who has been a longstanding critic of decolonization attempts and similar trends in Europe.
Musk replied with a "!!" message to the news on his social media site X, formerly Twitter, while also sharing a critical post that read: "They despise everything you find important and seek to humiliate you."
Musk also later retweeted a post from commentator Mario Nawfal, who wrote: "A research project with the University of Birmingham argued that presenting Shakespeare as the 'greatest' writer perpetuates colonial ideology. The trust now pledges to remove 'harmful' language, downplay his status, and highlight non-European artists.
"Critics see this as erasing history under the guise of 'inclusion.' Shakespeare's legacy is now under siege."
What People Are Saying
A spokesman for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust **told Newsweek: "**Our current collections project explores our history of acquisition and how interpretations of our objects and documents have evolved and continue to evolve. This is something all museums must focus on. By better understanding our collections' histories, we can tell the stories of our past in relation to our present.
"The collections project does not reflect on William Shakespeare himself or on his plays and poems. Our upcoming exhibition, Becoming Shakespeare, will examine how Shakespeare's development as an artist was rooted in his hometown context and how a life in rural Warwickshire came to be celebrated across the globe.
"The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust cares for the Shakespeare family houses in Stratford and for collections relating to his life, his times, and his works. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to explore and celebrate works which remain some of the most profound and inspiring of all artistic endeavors. We proudly continue to make our properties and collections accessible to everyone."
What Happens Next
There is no official timeline for the decolonization efforts. Musk continues in his role at the Department of Government Efficiency.
Update 03/19/25, 03:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
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