The Academy Awards are no stranger to controversy, but this year, the biggest drama may be unfolding offstage. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited a social media firestorm after publicly denouncing the Oscars as a “joke” following the Best Actress nomination of Karla Sofía Gascón, a transgender actress whose past racist comments on Twitter have resurfaced.
Musk, known for his unfiltered takes, took to his platform, X (formerly Twitter), to lash out at the Academy’s decision, questioning its integrity and fairness. In a now-deleted post, Musk wrote, “So now the Oscars are rewarding racism? What a joke. I will delete your X account immediately if this continues.”
Backlash Over Gascón’s Past Tweets
The controversy erupted when social media users unearthed several old tweets from Gascón, in which she allegedly made racially insensitive remarks. The resurfaced posts have sparked heated debates online, with critics calling out Hollywood for what they perceive as selective outrage and hypocrisy.
“How is it that the same industry that cancels people for tweets from a decade ago is now celebrating someone with an actual history of racist remarks?” one user posted on X.
Others have defended Gascón, arguing that her past statements should not overshadow her achievements as an actress. Some claim Musk’s comments are merely another example of his opposition to progressive representation in Hollywood.
Musk’s Threat to Remove Gascón from X
Musk’s anger didn’t stop at criticism—he appeared to issue a direct threat against Gascón’s presence on his social media platform. His now-deleted tweet suggested he would take action to remove her from X entirely, which has raised concerns about potential censorship and abuse of power.
While some praised Musk for standing against what they see as Hollywood’s double standards, others accused him of overstepping his role as the head of X and using his influence to silence voices he disagrees with.
Hollywood Reacts: Divided Opinions
The controversy has sparked reactions from several Hollywood figures. Some industry insiders have come to Gascón’s defense, while others are calling for the Academy to reconsider her nomination.
Oscar-winning actress [Name] tweeted, “If the Academy truly values inclusion and accountability, they need to address this situation.”
Meanwhile, conservative voices have rallied behind Musk, echoing his frustrations with what they call the “woke agenda” of modern Hollywood.
Will the Academy Respond?
As of now, the Academy has not issued an official statement regarding Musk’s comments or the resurfaced tweets from Gascón. However, with growing online outrage and media scrutiny, they may soon be forced to address the controversy.
Musk, on the other hand, remains unapologetic. When asked about the backlash, he responded with a simple: “Truth hurts.”
With tensions escalating, all eyes are now on both the Academy and X to see how this explosive situation unfolds. Will the Oscars take action? Will Musk follow through on his threat? One thing is certain: this year’s Academy Awards just got a whole lot more dramatic.
