The 2025 Oscars took an unexpected turn when tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly threatened to boycott the event, while longtime Oscar legend and co-star of “The View”Whoopi Goldberg presented a price on stage. Musk’s dramatic statement, shared via X during the live broadcast on March 2, 2025, contained a quick nine-word remark: “This is just a scam, I have enough.” The comment sparked a firestorm of outrage, with fans, celebrities, and industry insiders voicing the escalating feud between Musk and Hollywood’s elite.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Xai, has never shied away from his disdain for Hollywood’s “Woke-Kultur.” His most recent outburst of anger came at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, when Goldberg took the stage to present the award for best documentary. Goldberg, 69, is a Hollywood veteran and Egot Award winner known for her outspoken views on social justice and politics. She began her contribution with a humorous sideways jab at Musk, referring to his recent controversial comments about diversity initiatives in the entertainment industry. “I heard someone say Hollywood needs to wake up,” Goldberg joked, “but I think we’re just getting started.” The audience laughed, but Musk, watching from afar, was not amused.

Musk published a series of posts within minutes on X, where he has over 208 million followers. “I boycott the Oscars,” he wrote. “It’s just a scam, I’ve had enough.” The nine-word, sweeping explanation quickly spread and became a trending topic worldwide as the public followed the unfolding drama. Musk went on to criticize the academy, calling it a “complacent echo chamber” that places political agendas over artistic value. He also directly attacked Goldberg, accusing her of “spreading divisive narratives” and claiming that the Oscars have lost their importance today. “Hollywood needs to wake up and preach to the world,” Musk added in a follower post. “I’d rather watch a space start than this nonsense.”

The time of Musk’s outbreak was particularly notable because it occurred in a year when the Oscar was already under fire due to low classifications and a perceived dissociation from the conventional audience. The 2025 ceremony, moderated by comedian Kevin Hart, promised a return to traditional glamor, with appearances by artists such as Billie Eilish and a tribute to 100 years of cinema. Musk’s comments, however, overshadowed much of the event and caught the attention of winners asOppenheimer-Director Christopher Nolan, who was taken home as the best director, andThe zone of interest, the winner of the best movie.

Goldberg, in turn, seemed impressed with Musk’s attack. She later responded to the controversy with her typical joke. “I heard someone boycott us,” she said with a smile. “Well, I’ve been boycotting diets for years, so I understand that.” The audience roared to laugh, and Goldberg continued, “But seriously, we shouldn’t fight on the internet to celebrate art. We focused on the magic of movies.” His answer was recognized with standing ovation and consolidated his status as a popular figure in Hollywood.

The dispute between Musk and Goldberg illustrates a greater cultural conflict between Silicon Valley and the entertainment industry. Musk has long criticized Hollywood for his “sign of virtue”, especially in relation to topics such as diversity, equality and inclusion (Dei). In 2024, he spoke publicly against the new dei standards of the gym for the prize as the best film that prescribes certain representative standards. Musk called the rules “a joke” and said they stifled creativity. Goldberg, a high defender of Dei, defended the standards with the argument that they ensured that sub -reported voices were also heard. “The Oscar is not perfect, but they continue to develop,” she said last year inO show “The View”. “If it bothers you, you can be the problem alone.”

Musk’s threat of boycotting the Oscar is not just a personal statement – it can have better scope consequences. As one of the richest people in the world with net actives of over $ 400 billion (in April 2025), Musk has a significant influence. He has already used his platform to challenge industries- from automotive to aviation industry- and his criticism of the Oscar could encourage others to question the relevance of the event. Some speculate that Musk even finances a competing award ceremony and could use his media projects as X to create a platform that corresponds to his view of meritocracy. “Elon not only complains,” noted a technology analyst. “When he finishes the Oscar, he could try to exclude them completely.”

Reaction to the Musk-Goldberg spat was polarized. Musk’s supporters stood behind him on X, with many sharing his view that the Oscars had become too political. “Elon is right — Hollywood is a circus,” one user wrote. “Whoopi pretends to be a moral authority, but she’s only part of the problem.” Goldberg’s fans praised her for her toughness. “Whoopi has been fighting justice for a long time, when Elon built cars,” one supporter tweeted. “He can’t stand it if a strong woman challenges him.”

The controversy is also losing ground in the debate over the role of awards ceremonies in the digital age. Viewership for the Oscars has declined steadily over the past decade. The 2024 awards attracted just 18.7 million viewers — a far cry from the 55 million viewers they saw in the 1990s. Critics argue that the Academy is trying to reconcile its traditional prestige with the demands of a modern, fragmented media landscape. Musk’s statements are polarizing, but they play into a growing sense that events like the Oscars have lost their place in everyday promotion.

When the dust settles, the 2025 Oscars will likely be remembered not for their winners, but for the duel between Musk and Goldberg. It remains to be seen whether Musk will go through with his boycott — or tighten his criticism of Hollywood. His sweeping nine-word statement initially shaped the awards season in a sustainable way, and once again proved that the consequences of a collision of two cultural giants cannot be ignored.