Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), took to his social media platform to fiercely criticize actor Robert De Niro on Friday after the acclaimed “Heat” star made controversial remarks comparing former President Donald Trump to infamous dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
Musk’s response came after a clip of De Niro’s statements aired on MSNBC’s 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle, where the actor shared his views on Trump’s presidency and its potential return in 2024. In his reply to the clip, Musk dismissed De Niro’s comments, asserting that Trump’s policies “bore no resemblance” to those of Hitler or Mussolini. Musk further expressed his disbelief, calling the actor’s recent anti-Trump tirade nonsensical and illogical.
During the MSNBC segment, which aired Thursday evening, De Niro passionately declared that Trump “can’t be anywhere near the office of the presidency” and described him as “sick” and “narcissistic.” The actor emphasized his strong dislike of Trump, stating, “There’s not one redeeming thing in him I can see ever. Ever.” De Niro also took aim at voters who might support Trump in the upcoming 2024 election, expressing confusion and concern. “I don’t understand it. I don’t think they understand how dangerous it will be if he ever, God forbid, becomes president,” De Niro continued, warning about the dangers of another Trump presidency. “I don’t think they really understand,” he added.
The actor went on to draw comparisons between Trump and some of the most notorious figures in history. “Historically, from what I’ve seen, even in Nazi Germany, they had it with Hitler. They don’t take him seriously. ‘He looks like a clown. Acts like a clown.’ Mussolini. Same thing. These guys, I don’t know why, they look like clowns.” De Niro continued, reflecting on the potential chaos that could ensue if Trump were to secure the presidency again. “But it would be chaos beyond our imagination,” he warned.
After the clip was shared on X, Musk quickly reacted to De Niro’s statements, replying directly on the platform. In his tweet, Musk stated, “Well, Trump was actually already president for 4 years and his policies bore no resemblance to those of Hitler, so this makes no sense.” He also pointed out a key aspect of Trump’s policies that, according to Musk, would never have aligned with those of the 20th-century dictators. Musk highlighted Trump’s efforts toward peace in the Middle East, specifically mentioning the Abraham Accords, which, he argued, was a significant step toward peace and “definitely not high on Hitler’s agenda.”
Robert De Niro’s outspoken anti-Trump rhetoric has been a prominent part of his public persona in recent years. The actor, who portrayed a villain in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 crime drama Killer of The Flower Moon, has frequently criticized Trump in various public appearances. At the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, De Niro compared Trump’s sense of entitlement to his character’s motivations, stating they both shared “a feeling of entitlement” that fueled their negative actions. “It’s the banality of evil, and we see it now with — I’m not going to say the name because that guy is stupid,” De Niro said, before revealing he was referring to Trump. “There are people who think he could do a good job. Imagine how insane that is,” he added.
One of De Niro’s most infamous anti-Trump moments occurred during the 2018 Tony Awards, where he passionately addressed the audience with an expletive-laden rant. Clenching his fists, the actor declared, “I’m gonna say one thing: F— Trump! It’s no longer down with Trump, it’s f— Trump!”
This latest clash between Musk and De Niro adds to the growing tension between public figures with differing views on Trump, reflecting the polarized political climate in the United States. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these public exchanges are likely to continue, with figures from both sides of the political spectrum making their opinions known in increasingly bold and direct ways.
