NEW YORK, NY — June 3, 2025 — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the media landscape, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, is set to join the panel of Fox News’ late-night talk show Gutfeld!, hosted by Greg Gutfeld. The announcement, first made on May 22, 2025, has sparked intense speculation and excitement among fans, with many hailing it as a groundbreaking moment for both the show and Musk’s public persona. As the world’s richest man steps into the realm of late-night television, the implications for Fox News, Musk’s image, and the intersection of politics and entertainment are profound.

The decision for Musk to join Gutfeld! was teased as early as April 2, 2025, when Musk accepted an invitation from Gutfeld during a Fox News appearance. “I’d be happy to do your show,” Musk said, adding, “I’ve seen pieces of your show and it’s very funny. It’s my style of humor.” The confirmation came weeks later, with Todaylula reporting on May 22 that Musk would officially sit on the panel, a development described as a “major” moment for Fox News. Gutfeld!, known for its irreverent humor and conservative-leaning commentary, has been a ratings juggernaut, often outperforming traditional late-night shows like The Tonight Show and The Late Show. Adding Musk to the mix promises to elevate its profile even further.

Musk’s involvement comes at a pivotal time. The 54-year-old billionaire recently stepped down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on May 29, 2025, after a 130-day stint that saw him oversee $160 billion in federal spending cuts—far below his initial $2 trillion goal. His tenure was marked by controversy, including violent protests at Tesla dealerships, a 71% profit drop at Tesla, and criticism from figures like Bill Gates, who accused Musk of endangering global health by slashing foreign aid. Musk’s exit from the Trump administration was punctuated by a lighthearted moment at the Oval Office on May 30, where he revealed a black eye from roughhousing with his 5-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, joking, “Turns out he actually packs a punch.”

Now, as Musk refocuses on his businesses, his decision to join Gutfeld! has left fans stunned. The show, hosted by Greg Gutfeld alongside regulars like Kat Timpf and Jamie Lissow, thrives on sharp political satire and unfiltered takes. Musk, with his outspoken views and polarizing persona, is a natural fit. His earlier praise for the show’s humor suggests he’s eager to engage in its irreverent tone, a stark contrast to the more critical interviews he might face on shows like The Daily Show, where he backed out of an unedited interview with Jon Stewart in April 2025, calling Stewart “a skilled propagandist.”

The implications for Fox News are significant. Gutfeld! has already solidified its place as a late-night leader, often drawing 2 million viewers compared to the 1.5 million of its closest competitors. Musk’s appearance is expected to draw both his supporters and detractors, potentially pushing ratings even higher. As one of the most influential figures in tech, with ventures spanning electric vehicles, space exploration, and social media via X, Musk brings a unique perspective. His recent political baggage—polls in April 2025 showed his approval ratings in negative territory—may fuel heated discussions, especially given Gutfeld’s history of defending Musk, once calling him “Team Trump’s superhero.”

Fans are buzzing with anticipation. On X, posts leading up to the announcement reflected excitement, with users like @TVNewsNow and @JDunlap1974 sharing Musk’s acceptance and predicting a blockbuster episode. The show’s format, which often includes panel discussions on current events, could see Musk weighing in on everything from his DOGE experience to Tesla’s challenges. Given Gutfeld’s recent projects, like the Fox Nation game show What Did I Miss?, which featured segments inspired by Musk’s government efficiency efforts, the host is likely to give Musk a friendly platform to share his side of the story.

But the move isn’t without risks. Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has left him a lightning rod for criticism. His DOGE cuts, which included dismantling USAID, drew ire from Democrats and sparked lawsuits over his access to sensitive systems like the Treasury Department’s payment network. Reports of his alleged drug use and contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in May 2025 compared Musk to Soviet rocket engineer Sergei Korolev, have further complicated his image. On X, Musk’s feed has been a battleground, with supporters praising his anti-corruption stance and critics accusing him of exacerbating inequality.

Joining Gutfeld! could either rehabilitate Musk’s image or deepen the divide. The show’s conservative audience may embrace him, especially given Gutfeld’s support, but it risks alienating viewers who see Musk as a symbol of unchecked power. Late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel have already taken jabs at Musk’s DOGE role, with Colbert quipping on May 2 that Musk was “stepping down from ruining everything” and Kimmel noting he’d now “focus on his own disaster of a company.” Musk’s appearance on Gutfeld! could provide a counter-narrative, allowing him to address these criticisms with humor and candor.

The broader cultural impact is worth considering. Late-night television has long been a battleground for political discourse, with hosts like Colbert and Kimmel leaning left, while Gutfeld! offers a conservative counterpoint. Musk’s presence blurs these lines, bringing a tech titan into a space traditionally dominated by comedians and pundits. His earlier comments on comedy—supporting the idea of “legalizing comedy” as noted in a Vanity Fair interview with Gutfeld—suggest he sees humor as a tool to challenge norms, much like he has in business and politics.

For Gutfeld!, the stakes are high. The show has already experimented with innovative formats, like What Did I Miss?, which isolated contestants for months to test their ability to spot fake news. Musk’s DOGE work was a focal point of that series, with segments like “Drain the Swamp” drawing inspiration from his cost-cutting efforts. Having Musk on the panel could cement Gutfeld!’s reputation as a show unafraid to take risks, potentially attracting a younger, tech-savvy audience drawn to Musk’s ventures like SpaceX, which he discussed on Jesse Watters Primetime in May, envisioning Mars as “life insurance” for humanity.

Critics, however, caution against overhyping the move. Musk’s history of reneging on commitments—like his canceled Daily Show appearance—raises doubts about whether he’ll follow through. Some on X have speculated that his recent White House exit might make him less inclined to engage in high-profile media appearances, especially as he refocuses on Tesla, which is grappling with a reported search for a new CEO and a dip in stock price. Others question whether Musk’s polarizing presence will overshadow the show’s comedic tone, turning it into a political spectacle.

As of June 3, 2025, the episode’s air date remains unconfirmed, but the anticipation is palpable. Musk’s decision to join Gutfeld! marks a bold step into uncharted territory, blending his tech mogul status with the world of late-night TV. For fans, it’s a stunning development, promising a mix of humor, controversy, and insight from one of the most influential figures of our time. Whether it redefines Musk’s image, boosts Gutfeld!’s legacy, or simply delivers a memorable night of television, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Fox News when Elon Musk takes the stage.