In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and tech billionaire Elon Musk are embroiled in a heated public feud that has taken social media by storm. The controversy erupted when De Niro appeared on The View and made an unexpected dig at Musk, calling him a “weird awakened kid” on live television. The comment sent shockwaves across the internet, sparking debates about celebrity influence, free speech, and the ever-growing culture war between Hollywood elites and Silicon Valley titans.

De Niro’s Controversial Remarks: A Direct Shot at Musk?

During his appearance on The View, Robert De Niro was discussing the impact of technology on modern society when the conversation took an unexpected turn. Seemingly out of nowhere, he turned his attention to Elon Musk and quipped:

“I think some of these tech guys just have too much power. And Elon? He’s one of those weird awakened kids. Go away, man. We don’t need that kind of energy.”

The audience reaction was mixed—some laughed nervously, while others seemed taken aback by the directness of his comment. While De Niro has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, his remark about Musk came across as unusually personal, raising questions about what prompted such an attack.

Elon Musk Fires Back on X (Formerly Twitter)

Musk, never one to let criticism slide, wasted no time in responding. Taking to X, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO fired off a series of sharp tweets:

“Ah yes, another Hollywood actor who thinks he’s the moral authority on everything. Weird that he’s worried about me when he should be focused on remembering his lines.”

“‘Go away’? That’s funny. I don’t take career advice from washed-up actors. Enjoy your next straight-to-streaming movie, Bob.”

Musk’s responses quickly gained traction, with fans and critics alike jumping into the fray. Some applauded his no-nonsense attitude, while others accused him of being overly defensive and disrespectful toward a Hollywood icon.

Social Media Reacts: Divided Opinions and Viral Memes

As expected, the online community exploded with reactions. Hashtags like #MuskVsDeNiro and #WeirdAwakenedKid trended on X, with users taking sides in the clash of titans. Some of the most popular reactions included:

Pro-Musk Users: “De Niro is out of touch. Musk is literally changing the world while Hollywood elites just sit and criticize.”
Pro-De Niro Users: “Finally, someone calls out Musk’s nonsense! De Niro is a legend, Musk is just an overgrown billionaire baby.”
Neutral Observers: “This is the weirdest feud of 2025. What’s next, Tom Hanks vs. Jeff Bezos?”

Even celebrities chimed in. Actor and director Ben Stiller tweeted, “Man, I just wanted to enjoy my coffee, and now I’m watching De Niro and Musk beef online. What a time to be alive.”

What’s the Real Reason Behind the Feud?

While De Niro’s comment seemed to come out of nowhere, some speculate there may be more to the story. In recent months, Musk has been vocal about Hollywood’s political leanings, often criticizing the entertainment industry for pushing what he calls a “woke agenda.” De Niro, a longtime critic of certain political figures, may have taken offense to Musk’s remarks and decided to fire back.

Others believe this could be a calculated publicity stunt. De Niro has an upcoming film set to premiere, and Musk is always looking for ways to keep himself at the center of cultural conversations. Could this feud be an elaborate PR strategy? If so, it’s working—everyone is talking about them.

Will They Face Off in a Live Debate?

Following Musk’s tweets, some fans have suggested that the two should settle their differences in a live debate. A few major platforms, including The Joe Rogan Experience, have even hinted at the possibility of hosting the conversation. Musk is no stranger to long-form discussions, and De Niro—despite being more reserved in interviews—might see this as an opportunity to set the record straight.

When asked about a potential sit-down with Musk, De Niro’s representative simply responded, “Bob has said what he needed to say. He has no further comment at this time.”

Final Thoughts: A Clash of Titans or Just Another Social Media Circus?

Regardless of where you stand, the Musk-De Niro feud is yet another example of how social media has blurred the lines between celebrity, business, and public discourse. What started as a throwaway comment on a talk show has escalated into one of the most talked-about online conflicts of the year.

Will this feud fizzle out, or will it escalate even further? One thing’s for sure—both Elon Musk and Robert De Niro know how to command an audience, and neither seems ready to back down just yet.

What do you think? Was De Niro out of line, or was Musk’s response too harsh?