Hollywood legend Robert De Niro made headlines after a fiery appearance on The View, where he passionately defended Joy Behar and took direct aim at billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The Academy Award-winning actor did not hold back as he criticized Musk, declaring that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO “does not deserve people’s trust.”
The moment unfolded during a discussion about the influence of billionaires in media and politics. Joy Behar, a longtime host of The View, expressed concerns about the growing power that figures like Musk hold over public discourse, particularly through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Behar has been vocal in her skepticism toward Musk, questioning his motivations and his handling of free speech on the platform.
De Niro, known for his blunt and unapologetic opinions, backed Behar’s concerns and went even further by directly attacking Musk’s credibility. “People like him think they can do whatever they want because they have money. That does not mean they deserve our trust,” De Niro said, prompting an enthusiastic reaction from the live audience. He accused Musk of prioritizing personal gain over the public good and criticized his role in shaping conversations on technology, politics, and culture.
Musk, who has been at the center of numerous controversies, has frequently drawn criticism for his management of X, his comments on artificial intelligence, and his involvement in various political debates. Critics argue that his leadership style fosters misinformation and that his approach to free speech enables harmful rhetoric to spread unchecked. De Niro’s remarks echoed these concerns, calling for greater scrutiny of Musk’s actions and intentions.
During the segment, Behar expressed gratitude for De Niro’s support, emphasizing that the billionaire’s influence should not go unquestioned. “It’s not about being against innovation,” Behar stated. “It’s about making sure that the people who have so much control over our lives are actually responsible and held accountable.”
As expected, De Niro’s comments quickly ignited debates on social media. Supporters praised him for speaking out against what they perceive as unchecked power in the hands of the world’s wealthiest individuals, while Musk’s defenders dismissed the criticism, accusing Hollywood elites of hypocrisy.
Musk himself has yet to respond to De Niro’s remarks, but given his history of engaging with critics online, it would not be surprising if he addressed the controversy directly. Whether this clash will escalate further remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Robert De Niro is not afraid to take a stand, and his words have once again sparked a heated conversation about power, influence, and responsibility in today’s world.
