In recent days, a fiery controversy has reignited between Elon Musk and actress Iyo Edebiri, following resurfaced comments and social media backlash. The situation escalated after Edebiri shared a clip on her Instagram story that included comedian Bill Burr’s viral takedown of Elon Musk during an NPR interview. In the clip, Burr sarcastically questioned why anyone would consider leaving the country over someone like Musk, whom he ridiculed as a man with “dyed hair plugs,” a “laminated face,” a “bad car,” and an “obsolete social media platform.” Burr’s sharp words struck a chord with Edebiri, prompting her to express her own grievances with Musk.

The tension between the two traces back to an incident from the previous year, when rumors spread online suggesting that Iyo Edebiri had been cast in a new “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, allegedly replacing Johnny Depp as the lead character, Jack Sparrow. In response to this fake news, Musk tweeted, “Disney sucks,” seemingly mocking both the studio and Edebiri’s involvement in the rumored reboot. Although the casting news was false, the repercussions for Edebiri were all too real. Following Musk’s tweet, she reportedly received a wave of online abuse, including death threats and racial slurs. “I got some of the most insane death threats and racial slurs of my life,” Edebiri said, directly blaming Musk for inciting the harassment. She didn’t mince words, calling him “not only a fascist, but also an idiot.”

The online uproar has stirred broader discussions about the influence of public figures and the responsibility they bear in how their words and actions can affect others, especially when directed at individuals with less power or visibility. Critics argue that Musk’s massive following on X (formerly Twitter), coupled with his unpredictable and often inflammatory commentary, can unleash toxic backlash on innocent people, sometimes based on misinformation or baseless rumors.

Amid the renewed spotlight on the controversy, fans of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise are once again speculating about the future of the series. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has hinted that a new chapter is in the works, but it remains unclear what direction it will take or who will be involved. Edebiri, for her part, firmly denied any involvement, calling the project a “fake reboot” and implying that any version with her as the lead was fabricated.

The saga highlights not only the volatility of online culture but also the danger of weaponizing influence without accountability. Whether Musk will respond further remains to be seen, but for now, Edebiri’s message is clear: public figures must recognize the power their words wield—and the real-world harm they can cause.