Tech mogul Elon Musk has ignited a firestorm of criticism after posting what many have labelled "weird" and "creepy" comments about the body of Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney.
Musk's Controversial Posts on X
The controversy began on Tuesday when Musk, 54, responded to a video clip shared by Variety from the Los Angeles premiere of Sweeney's new film, The Housemaid. In the footage, the actress is seen wearing a low-cut white halter dress.
While many social media users commented on Sweeney's appearance, it was the billionaire's reaction that drew the most intense scrutiny. Musk posted an AI-generated meme depicting a woman with a large chest alongside a graphic of an inflamed red spine, captioned "What It Looks Like" and "How It Feels". He added the comment, "Can't be easy."
The backlash was swift, with users condemning the remarks as inappropriate. "She's 30 years younger than you. Weird," one person wrote. Another added, "Richest in the world or poorest — every man thinks of the same thing."
A Second Post Fuels Further Criticism
Musk doubled down the following day, on Wednesday, sharing another image of Sweeney in a different low-cut dress. He captioned this post, "Seems like this will be a contest for most double-stacked equipment."
This second comment only served to amplify the criticism, solidifying the view among many that his remarks were objectifying and disrespectful. While thousands of other users also left inappropriate comments about the actress's body, Musk's status as one of the world's most prominent figures placed his actions under a particularly harsh spotlight.
Sweeney's Response to Beauty Rumours
Amid the online discourse about her appearance, Sydney Sweeney has previously addressed speculation about cosmetic surgery. In a December interview with Allure magazine alongside her co-star Amanda Seyfried, the Euphoria star was asked to debunk a beauty rumour.
"Let's debunk them all. I mean, I have never gotten work done," Sweeney stated firmly. "I am so scared of needles, you have no idea."
She also pushed back against comparisons between her current appearance and photos from her childhood, stating, "You cannot compare a photo of me from when I was 12 to a photo of me at 26 with professional makeup and lighting. Of course I'm going to look different. Everybody on social media's insane."
Despite the critics, many have praised the actress for her confidence and for continuing to make bold fashion statements on the red carpet.
