Hollywood legend Robert De Niro made headlines during a fiery appearance on The View this week, coming to the defense of longtime co-host Joy Behar while issuing a scathing critique of tech billionaire Elon Musk.

The Academy Award-winning actor didn’t hold back, launching into an impassioned monologue that left the studio audience stunned and sparked a social media firestorm.

De Niro Praises Behar: “She Speaks the Truth”

The moment began when co-host Sunny Hostin asked De Niro about the current state of public discourse, particularly regarding online platforms and the spread of misinformation.

De Niro turned to Behar and said:

“Joy, you’ve been a voice of reason on this show for decades. You speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. And we need that more than ever.”

The audience erupted in applause as Behar, visibly moved, smiled and thanked the actor.

De Niro continued, noting the importance of having public figures who are unafraid to challenge powerful interests.

“We’re living in a time where the loudest voices aren’t always the smartest. Joy’s not afraid to speak out. That takes guts.”

A Sharp Rebuke of Elon Musk

When the conversation turned to social media accountability, De Niro pivoted to Elon Musk, who has drawn increasing criticism for his handling of X (formerly Twitter), the platform he acquired in 2022.

“Musk? He doesn’t deserve your trust,” De Niro said bluntly. “He’s turned what used to be a place for dialogue into a circus of disinformation. And we’re supposed to trust him because he builds rockets?”

De Niro accused Musk of using his influence irresponsibly, claiming the billionaire has enabled conspiracy theories and contributed to political polarization.

“He’s got too much power and not enough conscience,” De Niro added. “And frankly, it’s dangerous.”

Social Media Reacts: #DeNiroVsMusk Trends Worldwide

The segment quickly went viral, with hashtags like #DeNiroOnTheView, #JoyBeharDeservesBetter, and #DeNiroVsMusk trending on X.

Fans of De Niro praised him for speaking out, while critics—many of them Musk supporters—accused the actor of being out of touch.

Prominent political and entertainment figures also weighed in. Filmmaker Michael Moore posted, “Robert De Niro said what so many of us have been thinking.

Musk isn’t a genius—he’s a reckless opportunist.” Meanwhile, podcaster Joe Rogan tweeted, “De Niro’s a great actor, but maybe he should stay in his lane.”

The Viewership Surge and Fallout

ABC confirmed that The View saw a 20% spike in viewership during De Niro’s episode, with clips circulating on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube garnering millions of views within hours.

Producers at The View hinted that De Niro may be invited back for a follow-up appearance, citing “overwhelming viewer response and engagement.”

A Cultural Clash of Titans

This clash between one of Hollywood’s most respected actors and one of Silicon Valley’s most powerful figures underscores the growing tension between traditional media voices and the new tech elite.

While Musk continues to wield influence over digital discourse, De Niro’s comments remind audiences of the weight that cultural icons still carry.

Whether or not the two will continue their war of words remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Robert De Niro isn’t backing down, and he’s not afraid to name names.