Hollywood icon **Robert De Niro** is no stranger to speaking his mind — and this time, he’s taken direct aim at **Elon Musk**, adding fuel to an already fiery public discourse. As **Tesla’s stock experienced a sharp and sudden drop**, De Niro didn’t hold back his thoughts. In a pointed, unsparing statement, the Oscar-winning actor reportedly sneered, _“He deserves to take this, that bastard…”_
The comment, dripping with disdain, has lit up headlines across media outlets and social platforms, as it marks yet another moment where celebrity culture collides with tech-world turbulence. The line between Hollywood and Silicon Valley just got a little thinner — and a lot more volatile.
### Why De Niro Went Off on Musk
While De Niro’s remarks may come as a surprise to some, those who’ve followed his political and cultural views likely saw it coming. The legendary actor has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of public figures he deems arrogant, irresponsible, or out of touch. And in his eyes, **Elon Musk seems to fit that bill**.
The two haven’t engaged in any direct, public feud — until now. But with Musk’s increasing presence in politics, media, and online culture wars, it was only a matter of time before someone like De Niro fired back with trademark brutal honesty.
And what better time than now — just as **Tesla’s shares plummeted**, shaking investor confidence and igniting debates about Musk’s leadership and distractions.
### Tesla’s Stock Plunge: A Perfect Storm?
The recent fall in Tesla’s share price follows a string of concerning signals from the electric vehicle giant. Slowing deliveries, rising competition, regulatory challenges, and Musk’s controversial activity on X (formerly Twitter) have all contributed to growing investor unease.
Financial analysts point to a broader cooling in the EV market and fears over Musk’s multitasking between Tesla, SpaceX, X, and other ventures as signs that **the company is losing focus**. In moments like this, even small public statements — especially biting ones from icons like De Niro — can echo loudly across markets and headlines.
### The Internet Reacts: Applause, Outrage, and Memes
As expected, the internet wasted no time. Within hours of De Niro’s quote surfacing, fans, critics, and meme-makers exploded across platforms. Some cheered De Niro for “saying what we’re all thinking.” Others accused him of kicking a man when he’s down.
But one thing’s for sure: **the viral impact of De Niro’s takedown has amplified the conversation about Musk’s public image**, especially during moments of real financial consequence.
### When Hollywood Speaks, the World Listens
Robert De Niro’s swipe may have been a single sentence, but it hit like a headline. And in today’s media climate, that’s all it takes. For Musk, the Tesla stock dip was already painful — but De Niro’s words may have turned it into a full-blown cultural moment.
In a world where celebrity statements carry real weight, and billionaires shape global markets, **the battle for public perception is just as fierce as the fight for profits**.
And as De Niro made very clear — sometimes, when you fly too high, the crowd doesn’t always catch you when you fall.