In a recent appearance on The View, renowned actor Robert De Niro openly spoke out in defense of Joy Behar and strongly criticized Elon Musk, stating that the businessman “does not deserve the public’s trust.” During the conversation, De Niro did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with Musk’s decisions, especially in relation to his acquisition of Twitter and his management of the platform, generating an intense debate among the program’s panelists and viewers.
The conflict began when Behar, known for her forceful opinions and direct style, mentioned the controversial decisions made by Musk after the purchase of Twitter, which include changes in content moderation policies and the management of freedom of expression on the platform. Behar, who has been an outspoken critic of Musk in the past, expressed concern about the impact that these actions could have on society and on the information circulating on social media.
That’s when Robert De Niro, who was present as a special guest, intervened to support Behar and launch his own criticism of Musk. “Elon Musk has proven, time and time again, that he does not deserve the trust of the people,” said De Niro, provoking a quick reaction from both the audience and the other panelists. The actor, known for his political activism and his positions in favor of social justice, continued his speech by emphasizing that Musk’s figure has been increasingly controversial due to his actions both in the business and public spheres.
De Niro pointed out that Musk’s decisions on Twitter, which have generated great polarization, are only a reflection of a widespread attitude that, according to him, puts the integrity of the media and democracy at risk. “Musk is using his power to manipulate public discourse, and that is not something that should be tolerated,” he added. The actor also expressed concern about the impact social media platforms have on public opinion and the spread of misinformation, especially when they are run by individuals who do not seem to have any intention of acting for the common good.
De Niro’s defense of Behar was welcomed by some of the show’s panelists, who also criticized Musk for his comments and actions in recent months. However, others were quick to point out that while his actions may be questionable, Musk remains an influential and successful figure, especially in the tech and business arena. Some suggested that De Niro’s attack on Musk could be a further response to the growing polarization that exists in today’s society, where public figures and entrepreneurs are increasingly coming under scrutiny.
The exchange on The View generated a huge reaction on social media, where followers of the show and fans of De Niro were divided into two camps: those who supported the actor’s stance, and those who defended Musk, considering him a pioneer and an innovator in the field of technology. In particular, Musk’s defenders argued that his actions on Twitter and his approach to free speech are necessary to counter what they consider excessive censorship on traditional platforms.
As the debate over Musk and his impact on technology and social media continues to gain ground, Robert De Niro’s words have made it clear that the controversial figure of the entrepreneur will continue to be a hot topic of conversation in the public sphere. Meanwhile, the actor does not seem willing to stop raising his voice in favor of what he considers fair, and his appearance on The View is just one more of his many expressions of support for causes that he considers fundamental.
