The normally separate worlds of Hollywood and Silicon Valley collided this week when Robert De Niro, the Oscar-winning actor known for his unfiltered opinions, took aim at Elon Musk during a fiery segment on The View. What began as a routine talk show appearance quickly escalated into one of the most talked-about celebrity feuds of the year.
During a discussion about technology’s societal impact, the 80-year-old Taxi Driver star didn’t mince words:
“Elon Musk? He’s a bizarre brother who needs to disappear for a while.”
The comment drew gasps from the live audience—and within hours, a characteristically sharp response from the world’s richest man.
Musk fired back on X (formerly Twitter):
“Says the guy who made a fortune pretending to be other people. Maybe stick to scripts, Bob—reality seems to confuse you.”
Sources suggest this clash stems from deeper ideological divides:
- De Niro’s stance: A longtime critic of tech’s unchecked power
- Musk’s view: An anti-establishment disruptor facing Hollywood’s old guard
The incident highlights growing tensions between entertainment elites and tech moguls, particularly regarding:
✔ Free speech debates (Musk’s X platform vs. traditional media)
✔ AI concerns (De Niro has joined SAG’s anti-AI protests)
✔ Celebrity activism (When personal opinions become public attacks)
Responses have split along generational lines:
- Gen X/Boomers: Mostly support De Niro’s blunt style
- Millennials/Gen Z: Defend Musk’s right to clap back
- Industry peers: Quietly wincing at the unprofessionalism
“This isn’t criticism—it’s playground taunting,” tweeted journalist Kara Swisher. “Both men are better than this.”
While neither party shows signs of backing down, the fallout may extend beyond gossip columns:
- For De Niro: Risks alienating tech-friendly studios
- For Musk: Another distraction from Tesla/SpaceX challenges
- For The View: Ratings spike but credibility questions
As culture wars increasingly play out through celebrity spats, this feud serves as a reminder: in the age of viral soundbites, even legends aren’t immune to looking petty.