In a fiery and memorable appearance on The View on March 6, 2025, legendary actor Robert De Niro took the spotlight to defend co-host Joy Behar and launched a scathing attack on tech mogul Elon Musk. Known for his outspoken and unapologetic political views, De Niro didn’t hold back during the conversation, sparking headlines and stirring debate. The actor’s remarks have sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, as his bold comments on Musk’s character and leadership have reignited the ongoing controversy surrounding the billionaire.

The segment began when Behar, an often outspoken critic of Musk, found herself under fire from the tech mogul’s supporters. Behar, who has consistently voiced her concerns about Musk’s impact on social media and public discourse, had been labeled a “danger” to democracy by some of Musk’s loyalists.

Musk’s recent actions, including his management of X (formerly Twitter), had made him a divisive figure, especially among those who are wary of his growing influence over public opinion. Throughout the heated exchange, Behar didn’t hesitate to voice her strong opinions, calling Musk’s leadership “reckless” and suggesting that his actions are damaging to society. For Behar, the stakes were high, as she’s been an ardent critic of Musk for a while, particularly his role in shaping social media’s role in politics and society.

As the conversation grew more heated, De Niro, who is not typically one to shy away from a political fight, jumped in to defend Behar. He passionately praised her intelligence, integrity, and the critical role she plays in the public discourse. “Joy has been a voice of reason for years,” De Niro declared, “and she doesn’t deserve the attacks being thrown her way.” His words were met with loud applause from the studio audience, which seemed to be just as supportive of his defense of Behar. In a rare moment of unity on a show often characterized by contentious political debates, De Niro stood firm in his belief that Behar’s critics were unjustified, especially in light of her track record as a commentator and advocate for the public good.

But De Niro’s defense of Behar was just the beginning of his fiery remarks. Turning his attention toward Elon Musk, De Niro didn’t mince words. He directly called out the tech mogul, saying, “Elon Musk doesn’t deserve your trust.” In one sweeping declaration, De Niro painted Musk as an individual who should not hold power or influence over millions of people. According to De Niro, Musk’s behavior and decisions have led him to be unworthy of the trust that many have placed in him, particularly given the way he has handled the management of his social media platform, X. “He’s not someone who should be in charge of anything that affects millions of people,” De Niro continued, drawing a sharp contrast between the businessman’s influence and his often controversial public persona.

The actor’s attack on Musk is far from surprising, considering the growing scrutiny surrounding the billionaire’s business practices and political statements. Musk, who is the CEO of multiple companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, has faced criticism for his approach to free speech and his tendency to make polarizing statements on social media. His acquisition of Twitter (now X) and the subsequent changes to the platform’s content moderation policies have caused widespread debate about the limits of free speech, misinformation, and corporate control over public discourse. For De Niro, Musk’s management of these platforms seemed to represent a troubling trend in which wealthy tech moguls have the power to shape political and social narratives, often to the detriment of democratic principles.

The timing of De Niro’s remarks couldn’t have been more significant, as Musk continues to be a lightning rod for controversy. From his handling of X’s content moderation policies to his recent comments on various political issues, Musk has found himself at the center of multiple debates. While some defend Musk, pointing to his contributions to technology and space exploration, others view his behavior as reckless and harmful.

De Niro’s comments added fuel to the fire, as many viewers on The View and across social media applauded the actor for speaking out against Musk. A number of social media users expressed their admiration for De Niro’s willingness to challenge Musk’s growing influence, with one X user writing, “Robert De Niro speaking the truth about Musk on national television. This is something we need more of!”

Despite the applause from many viewers, De Niro’s comments have also sparked opposition from those who view Musk’s contributions to technology and space exploration as outweighing the controversies surrounding him. Some critics argue that Musk’s role in advancing renewable energy technology and private space travel should earn him more leeway in the public eye. However, De Niro remains steadfast in his criticism, maintaining that Musk’s actions undermine trust in public figures, especially those with the power to influence millions through social media.

De Niro’s willingness to speak out on such a high-profile stage represents his continued commitment to using his platform to address issues of trust, accountability, and leadership. While he has long been known for his politically charged statements, this appearance on The View marks one of his most direct challenges to Musk’s growing influence. As social media continues to play an outsized role in shaping public discourse, figures like De Niro and Behar are using their voices to challenge the status quo and call for greater accountability from those who wield significant power in the digital age.

It remains to be seen whether Musk will respond to De Niro’s scathing remarks, but the actor’s appearance on The View is a clear reminder that the debate over the role of billionaires in shaping public opinion is far from over.