A big Hollywood story is making news right now. Famous actor Robert De Niro is suing Elon Musk, a super-rich tech guy, for $100 million. De Niro says Musk said mean things that stopped him from getting an Oscar nomination in 2025. This fight is getting a lot of attention from movie stars and tech people.
A Movie Star vs. A Tech Boss
Robert De Niro is one of the best actors ever. He thinks Musk’s words made people who pick Oscar winners not choose him this year. De Niro’s helpers say Musk’s comments on social media, like on X (which used to be Twitter), hurt De Niro’s good name. They call it defamation, which means saying bad stuff that’s not true.
The lawsuit happened in a court in Los Angeles. It points to things Musk said in early 2025 about De Niro’s new movie, “Edge of Justice.” Musk called the movie “shockingly overrated” and “out of touch.” Those words spread fast online, and tons of people saw them, starting big talks about the movie.
Did Musk Really Stop an Oscar?
De Niro’s team says Musk’s words are why he didn’t get an Oscar nod. Before Musk spoke, lots of people thought De Niro would be picked because his movie got great reviews and had a big push from the movie company. De Niro’s helpers have papers showing how Musk’s comments changed things for him.
Musk Says He Can Speak Freely
Elon Musk isn’t backing down. He says the lawsuit is silly and that he’s allowed to say what he thinks. His team says he was just sharing his opinion, which is protected by free speech rules in America. They’re ready to fight hard in court, saying people should be able to talk about movies and stars without getting sued.
Hollywood Takes Sides
Hollywood is split on this. Some people agree with De Niro. They say Musk is so famous that his words can really hurt someone, and he should be careful. A movie maker named Alexandra Greer said, “Musk isn’t just a regular person. His words matter a lot, and if they hurt De Niro on purpose, he should pay.”
But others worry this could stop people from saying what they think. A director named Jason Reynolds said, “If Musk can’t say what he thinks about a movie, we might lose real talk. Actors put their work out there, so they have to be ready for all kinds of opinions.”
Can De Niro Win?
Lawyers say this case is tricky, but De Niro could win. To win a defamation case, he has to prove Musk said bad things on purpose and that it hurt him. A smart teacher named Sarah Kimmel said, “It depends if Musk’s words sound like just his thoughts or like facts. If De Niro can show they cost him an Oscar, it could change how people talk about stars.”
What’s at Stake?
The $100 million is a big number, but this fight is about more than money. For De Niro, missing an Oscar isn’t just about a trophy—it’s about his job and future work. For Musk, it’s about being able to say what he wants without trouble.
A media expert, Chris Lundberg, said, “This could change how famous people deal with criticism. If Musk loses, others might be scared to speak. If De Niro loses, people might feel free to say whatever online.”
Fans Are Split Too
On social media, people are picking sides. Some say De Niro should get money because Musk attacked him with his big voice. One person wrote, “This wasn’t just a review—it was mean and from someone super powerful.”
Others think De Niro is overreacting. Another person said, “Musk just said what he thought about a movie. If every star sued over that, no one could talk freely.”
What’s Next?
The court will soon set dates to start talking about this. Experts think it could be a long, loud fight if they don’t agree to stop it early. Both De Niro and Musk seem ready to keep going, so a deal doesn’t look likely right now.
As Hollywood and tech folks watch, this battle between a movie legend and a tech giant could change how we think about fame, power, and speaking out online. Whether it’s a win for saying what you think or a lesson about being careful, it’s going to matter a lot!
