MAGA Resurfaces 2014 New York Times Pedophilia Op-Ed Spotlight, Musk Labels it 'Evil Propaganda'

In 2014, a controversial editorial written by Margo Kaplan, a professor at Rutgers Law School, was published in The New York Times.

The piece, titled “Pedophilia: A Disorder, Not a Crime”, explored the distinction between pedophilia as a psychological disorder and child molestation as a criminal act.

Kaplan argued that individuals with pedophilic inclinations could live without acting on their impulses, emphasizing that the condition itself is not inherently criminal.

Fast forward to 2025, and the editorial has resurfaced, sparking intense backlash from conservative circles, including MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters.

Conservative influencer Gunther Eagleman was among the first to dig up and share the 2014 article, leading to a flood of criticism directed at the New York Times. As of right now, Eagleman's tweet has garnered more than 50 million views.

Elon Musk added his voice to the uproar, labeling the article as “evil propaganda” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). His comment garnered widespread attention, reaching 29 million views. Musk, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has often been a controversial figure on social media.

Notably, Musk himself faced backlash in 2019 when he insulted one of the rescuers of the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave, calling him a “pedo guy,” which stirred public outrage at the time.

His latest comments on the New York Times piece reignited the ongoing debate on pedophilia, with many agreeing with Musk’s stance, while others raised concerns over his past behavior.

Alongside Musk, Emma Katherine, host of The Imagination Podcast, condemned the New York Times piece, accusing the publication of “defending pedophiles.” In a fiery post on X, Katherine wrote: “It is NOT a ‘disorder’ - it IS A CRIME. The worst crime in history. WHY are you attempting to normalize pedophilia? This entire article is a blatant LIE. The ONLY ‘disorder’ here is that YOU are defending the most vile and violent sexual deviants that walk the planet.”

However, the debate over the nature of pedophilia itself remains ongoing. Some users on X pointed out that while pedophilia may be classified as a psychological disorder, the criminal aspect arises when individuals act on their impulses by engaging in child molestation or other harmful acts.

This nuanced perspective has led to widespread discussion about the need to distinguish between thoughts or inclinations and criminal behavior, though opinions remain sharply divided.

While critics argue that the article’s framing could be seen as an attempt to normalize pedophilia, others suggest that the discussion of pedophilia as a disorder without criminal intent could lead to better understanding and treatment for those struggling with the condition, without encouraging illegal actions.

Margo Kaplan, author of the 2014 opinion piece published in the NYT.

As the topic continues to stir emotions, the internet remains divided, with users weighing in on both sides of the debate, debating whether such psychological conditions should be treated in medical and legal contexts as separate issues.

The editorial’s resurfacing has caused a larger conversation to unfold about pedophilia, freedom of speech, and media responsibility.

Critics continue to argue over whether publications should allow such pieces to be published, while others defend the role of academic discourse and free expression in tackling difficult and complex societal issues.