In yet another clash between a late-night comedian and a tech billionaire, Elon Musk has responded to Jimmy Kimmel’s recent jabs with a brief but cutting three-word reply that’s now making waves across social media.
It all began when Kimmel, during a monologue on his late-night show, mocked Musk for what appeared to be a controversial salute during a public appearance—one that many online critics likened to a Nazi gesture. Kimmel also took aim at Musk’s ongoing troubles at Tesla, including recent layoffs, production delays, and declining stock performance. The segment quickly went viral, prompting both laughter and backlash.
Not one to stay silent for long, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter), the platform he now owns, to respond. His message? “Cry me river.” The three-word tweet was aimed directly at Kimmel, without tagging him, yet the context was unmistakably clear. Within hours, the post racked up millions of views, sparking a fresh wave of commentary.
Supporters of Musk hailed his curt response as classic Musk: sharp, dismissive, and unapologetically bold. “He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation,” one user commented. “This is why we love Elon.”
Critics, however, were less impressed. Some accused Musk of deflecting serious concerns with flippant language. “Mocking accusations of extremism and ignoring corporate missteps with sarcasm isn’t leadership,” another user posted. Others felt that Musk’s message lacked the professionalism expected from someone at the helm of multiple influential companies.
This isn’t the first time Musk and Kimmel have clashed. The comedian has taken shots at Musk’s business decisions and eccentric behavior on multiple occasions, often blending satire with pointed criticism. Musk, known for his thin-skinned responses and internet-savvy comebacks, rarely lets such moments slide.
As the public debate rages on, the brief tweet has done more than enough to keep the spotlight on Musk—something he seems to thrive on. Whether this back–and–forth will escalate or fizzle out remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Elon Musk knows how to turn even three words
