De Niro Mocks Musk’s Midterm Spending, Calls It a Loss
Robert De Niro criticizes Elon Musk’s political spending during midterms, calling it a defeat for the billionaire.
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Renowned actor Robert De Niro has publicly mocked billionaire Elon Musk’s recent political spending, suggesting it did not yield favorable results for the tech mogul. During a screening of Alex Gibney’s documentary about Musk, De Niro made pointed remarks about Musk’s financial support for Republican candidates in the midterm elections.
De Niro’s Remarks at Documentary Screening
At the Tribeca Festival, where De Niro and Jane Rosenthal co-founded the event, the Oscar winner introduced the film with a sharp critique of Musk’s political investments. According to Deadline, De Niro stated, “Elon Musk spent about 300 million dollars getting Trump elected in 2024,” and added, “And he just spent close to half a billion on Republicans in this past week’s election. How did that turn out for you?” The audience responded with a mix of laughter, sneers, and jeers.
Musk’s Cybertruck and Democratic Victory
De Niro also referenced Musk’s recent announcement that Tesla will halt production of its Cybertruck next summer, suggesting that the company’s struggles mirror Musk’s political missteps. “In the fight between Musk’s money and democracy, democracy won. This time,” he said, adding, “But just like his grotesque Cybertruck, Musk isn’t going anywhere.”
Documentary’s Box Office Performance
While the documentary received critical acclaim, its box office performance was modest. Despite opening on 468 screens, it earned only $307,000, averaging $649 per screen. In contrast, the Melania Trump documentary, which opened on 1,778 screens, earned $4,027 per screen, highlighting the disparity in audience reception.
Political and Cultural Implications
De Niro’s remarks reflect a broader political tension, as Hollywood figures continue to engage with and critique the influence of wealthy individuals in politics. The event also underscored the cultural impact of documentary filmmaking, as it sparked discussions about the role of money in democratic processes.
Source: Breitbart
