Whoopi Goldberg fiercely hit back at Elon Musk during Tuesday's broadcast of US talk show The View, responding to the billionaire's criticism of rumoured casting choices in Christopher Nolan's forthcoming adaptation of The Odyssey.
The Egot-winning actress defended Lupita Nyong'o after speculation emerged that the Oscar winner might portray Helen of Troy in the epic production.
"Elon Musk is weighing in on rumours that Christopher Nolan has cast Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy in the big-screen version of Greek poet Homer's The Odyssey," Ms Goldberg's retort began.
"Now, Musk claims Nolan has lost his integrity because Homer described this fictional character as fair-skinned and blonde and was so beautiful that men started a war over her."
Elon Musk has slammed the potential casting
| REUTERSTurning her attention to Mr Musk's comments specifically, Ms Goldberg fumed: "I don't know if you realise this, but Lupita is also considered one of the world's most beautiful women, so I'm not sure what you're trying to say."
She suggested the Tesla chief examine his own reflection before commenting on others' appearances, adding: "Don't bother to clown me, baby. I know what I look like."
Ms Goldberg concluded her critique with a pointed dismissal: "Elon, just sit down. For this, when it comes to artistic stuff, go sit down, please."
Co-host Sunny Hostin delivered an even more forceful condemnation, directly accusing Mr Musk of promoting racist ideology.
Lupita Nyong'o is rumoured to have landed a role in Christopher Nolan's adaptation
| GETTY"He is a white supremacist. In my view, he is a racist. And I think we call a thing a thing," Ms Hostin declared.
She pointed to the tech mogul's track record of inflammatory posts on his social media platform, noting he had sparked controversy in January by calling for white solidarity and suggesting white men faced potential violence if they became a demographic minority.
Ms Hostin also referenced Mr Musk's September claim that white people represented a "rapidly diminishing minority" globally, alongside his December assertion that South Africa's government discriminates against non-Black citizens.
The controversy originated last Saturday when Mr Musk weighed in on unverified reports about Ms Nyong'o's potential role, posting on X that "Chris Nolan has lost his integrity."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Whoopi Goldberg slammed Elon Musk
|THE VIEW
The backlash was triggered after an X user shared speculation that the Kenyan-born actress would portray the legendary Greek figure, accompanied by complaints about "woke casting."
Critics online argued that Homer's ancient text describes Helen as fair-skinned and blonde, the mythological beauty whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.
Ms Nyong'o's involvement with the production was first reported by Variety in November 2024, though Universal Pictures has never officially confirmed which character she will play.
The Odyssey is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, adapting Homer's epic poem chronicling King Odysseus of Ithaca and his treacherous voyage home following the Trojan War.
Elon Musk took to X to slam the casting rumours
|X
The production already boasts an ensemble featuring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Elliot Page.