Renowned actor Robert De Niro garnered attention following his recent appearance on The View, where he challenged host Joy Behar and voiced his disapproval of billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Known for his candid political opinions, De Niro did not hesitate to express his concerns about Musk’s influence, asserting, “He doesn’t deserve people’s trust.”

De Niro supports Behar amid the controversy
In the course of a passionate exchange, Joy Behar, a vocal critic of Musk and his backing of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), raised questions about the billionaire’s effect on public dialogue. Behar has previously labeled Musk’s leadership as “reckless” and “dangerous to democracy.”

De Niro quickly aligned himself with Behar, reinforcing his position and reiterating his criticism of Musk’s behavior. “Joy is right. We are discussing someone who manipulates public opinion, disseminates misinformation, and toys with real people’s lives,” he remarked.

A pointed critique of Musk
De Niro’s remarks come at a time when Musk is under scrutiny for his business practices, political remarks, and contentious decisions regarding free speech on X. The star of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas made it evident that he does not regard Musk as a trustworthy individual. “He’s not a genius. He’s a businessman who got lucky and now believes he can control everything,” De Niro stated candidly. “People need to wake up and stop treating him like some kind of savior.”

Audience reaction
The audience of The View responded with enthusiastic applause, demonstrating their support for De Niro’s forthright comments. Many viewers took to social media to commend the actor for confronting Musk’s increasing influence. One user on X remarked, “Robert De Niro speaking the truth about Musk on national television. This is something we need more of!”

Conversely, some dismissed De Niro’s criticism, arguing that Musk’s contributions to technology and space exploration overshadow the controversies surrounding him.

What lies ahead?
De Niro has typically avoided engaging in political or social debates, and his recent criticism marks a notable departure from his usual stance.

As concerns regarding social media, freedom of expression, and corporate power escalate, it is evident that individuals such as De Niro and Behar will persist in questioning the established norms.