Musk responded to a video showing diversity-related roles advertised on the government website on his social media platform X, saying 'the woke mind virus propagates like cordyceps through government and corporations'.

His post has been reposted by more than 12,000 people and seen over 6.7 million times.

Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trusts, whose adverts featured in the video, had been advertising for an EDI project manager.

In response, the trusts said they ‘strive to ensure everyone has equal access to career opportunities and care'.

Musk's criticisms of EDI schemes are supported by US President Donald Trump, who signed multiple executive orders against the programmes when he got back into power in January.