Elon Musk Faces Backlash Over Comments on Sydney Sweeney’s Appearance
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla, has drawn sharp criticism after making controversial comments about actress Sydney Sweeney’s physique following her appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of her film The Housemaid. The remarks, posted on Musk’s X account on December 16, ignited a firestorm of backlash across social media platforms, with many users condemning the billionaire’s commentary as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Sweeney, 28, has been in the public eye recently not only for her acting roles, including the highly anticipated third season of HBO’s Euphoria, but also for controversies surrounding her endorsements and public image. At the premiere on December 15, she wore a striking custom white gown by Israeli bridal designer Galia Lahav, featuring feathered details and a draped halter neckline that quickly became a focal point of discussion.
Shortly after Variety shared a video of Sweeney on the red carpet, Musk posted a comment alongside a split image that appeared to be AI-generated: one side showed a woman’s cleavage with the caption “What it looks like,” while the other displayed an X-ray of an injured spine labeled “What it feels like.” This post was widely perceived as a crude joke about the physical toll of having a large bust.
The response was swift and critical. One user on X (formerly Twitter) called for Musk to be removed from his own platform, stating, “bro they gotta kick you off ur own platform this is insane.” Another pointed out the age difference, remarking, “She’s 30 years younger than you. Weird.” Others drew parallels to a similarly unsettling Musk tweet from September 2024 directed at Taylor Swift, which read, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
Public concern about Musk’s conduct on social media has been mounting, with critics accusing him of allowing intrusive and inappropriate thoughts to dominate his posts. On the same day as the initial comment, Musk shared another post referencing Sweeney’s body, this time responding to a discussion about the video game Diablo IV. He joked, “Seems like this will be a contest for most double-stacked equipment,” accompanied by a meme featuring Sweeney’s cleavage with the caption, “Science: don’t stare directly at the eclipse.”
These incidents have reignited debates about the responsibilities of influential figures on social media platforms, especially those who own or control them. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission have previously emphasized the importance of maintaining respectful discourse online and have scrutinized platform policies regarding harassment and harmful content.
Sweeney herself has not publicly responded to Musk’s comments, but advocates for respectful treatment of public figures have highlighted the broader issue of objectification and harassment faced by women in the entertainment industry. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has noted that workplace and public harassment can have significant impacts on individuals’ careers and well-being.
As the conversation continues, many users are calling for a reassessment of Musk’s influence on social media culture and the standards expected of public figures. The episode serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing free expression with respect and dignity in the digital age.
Leave a Reply