UNEXPECTED: Robert De Niro Calls Elon Musk a “Scumbag” on The View – Musk’s Response Leaves Studio in Shock…See More

Hollywood legend Robert De Niro stirred up major controversy during his latest appearance on The View when he unexpectedly took aim at billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, calling him a “scumbag” on live television. The unexpected remark left the show’s hosts and audience in stunned silence. However, it was Musk’s response that truly took the internet by storm.

De Niro’s Heated Rant

During the segment, De Niro was discussing the influence of billionaires in politics and business when he suddenly pivoted to Musk.

“Guys like Elon Musk, they think they can do whatever they want because they have money. But let’s be real – he’s a scumbag,” De Niro said bluntly, shaking his head.

The panel of The View—including Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, and Sunny Hostin—looked visibly surprised by the actor’s strong words. Behar attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction, but De Niro doubled down.

“He acts like he’s saving the world, but all he cares about is himself,” he added.

Elon Musk Fires Back in Real-Time

Unbeknownst to many, Musk was watching the show live. Within minutes, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond in real-time.

“Robert, I loved Taxi Driver, but this meltdown is embarrassing. Maybe lay off the CNN for a bit,” Musk wrote, instantly sending social media into a frenzy.

Minutes later, he followed up with another post:

“Some actors never learned the difference between playing a tough guy and being one. Sad!”

Internet Erupts Over the Exchange

The fiery back-and-forth quickly became a trending topic online, with fans and critics weighing in on both sides.

“Robert De Niro just said what we’ve all been thinking!” one user wrote.

“Musk shutting down De Niro in two tweets? Classic,” another posted.

The moment has reignited debates about the role of billionaires in society and Hollywood’s stance on tech moguls like Musk. Neither De Niro nor Musk has issued further comments since their initial remarks, but one thing is clear—this feud is far from over.

What’s Next?

While it remains to be seen if De Niro will respond to Musk’s jabs, sources close to The View say producers were caught off guard by the heated exchange.

“Nobody saw that coming. It was totally unscripted,” a backstage insider told reporters.

As the drama continues to unfold, one thing is certain: when two of the most outspoken figures in entertainment and tech collide, the world pays attention.