Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla, has recently found himself at the center of controversy after publicly criticizing Oprah Winfrey, one of America’s most prominent media icons. This clash has ignited fiery debates on social media and in the press, highlighting their starkly different views on politics, free speech, and Hollywood’s role in society.

The Origin of the Feud

The controversy began when Elon Musk took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Oprah Winfrey. Musk accused Oprah of “distorting the truth” and leveraging her influence to push political narratives that he deemed harmful to the United States. One of Musk’s most provocative claims was that Oprah mistreated Black actresses, an allegation she firmly denied.

Tensions escalated further when Oprah likened former President Donald Trump’s administration to authoritarian regimes in China and Russia, while openly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Musk retaliated by sharing old footage of Oprah warmly welcoming Trump on her show in the 1980s and 1990s, captioned with the biting comment: “Funny how things change.”

Musk and Hollywood: A Long-Standing Rift

The spat with Oprah is just the tip of the iceberg in Musk’s strained relationship with Hollywood. Since his acquisition of Twitter in 2022, many celebrities have voiced opposition to him. Some, like Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Braxton, and Sarah Bareilles, even left the platform, accusing Musk of promoting “hate speech” under the guise of free speech.

Musk further stoked controversy by revamping Twitter’s verification system, turning the coveted “blue checkmark” from a free feature into an $8/month subscription. This move deepened the rift between him and the entertainment industry, particularly after he reinstated Donald Trump’s account.

By 2024, tensions had reached a boiling point as Hollywood rallied behind Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Prominent figures like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jimmy Kimmel hosted lavish fundraisers in her support. Meanwhile, Musk openly aligned himself with the Republican Party, describing America’s current political system as “broken.”

Oprah’s Response

Despite Musk’s provocations, Oprah maintained a calm demeanor in her response. In an interview, she emphasized that everyone has the right to voice their opinion but urged for responsibility in sharing information. Oprah stated that her goal was not control but to encourage the dissemination of positive and constructive messages.

Oprah’s measured approach left the public divided. Musk’s supporters hailed him as a “champion of free speech,” while Oprah’s fans argued that he had misconstrued her message. Hashtags like #ElonVOprah and #FreeSpeech quickly trended worldwide, with millions joining the debate.

Long-Term Impact on Careers

In Hollywood, a realm dominated by power and influence, going head-to-head with Oprah can have serious repercussions. One notable example is Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique, who accused Oprah and Tyler Perry of “spreading rumors” that she was difficult to work with after refusing to attend unpaid promotional events for the film Precious. Mo’Nique claimed these allegations led to an unofficial “blacklisting” in the industry despite her immense talent.

Mo’Nique’s story is not unique. Many in the entertainment industry have reportedly been sidelined or lost opportunities after criticizing powerful figures like Oprah. This raises questions about free speech in an industry where reputations can be destroyed almost instantly.