In a television moment that set the internet ablaze, comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart unleashed a merciless takedown of tech mogul Elon Musk during a live broadcast of The Daily Show on May 16, 2025, at 3:23 PM +07, sparking an explosive reaction from the Tesla CEO. Stewart’s savage mockery of Musk’s business ventures and X platform chaos left the audience roaring, but it was Musk’s fiery response on X that ignited a social media storm, fueling debates over free speech, corporate ego, and Musk’s increasingly thin skin.
The showdown occurred during Stewart’s opening monologue, where he skewered Musk’s recent controversies, including Tesla’s production delays and X’s moderation woes. “Elon’s out here promising Mars colonies, but he can’t deliver a Cybertruck without it catching fire,” Stewart quipped, as the crowd erupted. He didn’t stop there, taking aim at Musk’s X ownership: “He turned X into a dumpster fire of bots and billionaires yelling at each other. Congrats, Elon, you built a digital Thunderdome!” The audience howled, but Stewart’s sharpest jab came when he mocked Musk’s self-proclaimed “free speech absolutism,” saying, “Elon loves free speech—unless you’re making fun of him. Then it’s banhammer time.”
Musk, watching from his Austin office, exploded on X minutes later, posting, “Jon Stewart’s a washed-up hack who thinks he’s clever hiding behind a laugh track. Tesla’s changing the world while he’s cracking jokes for clout.” The unhinged rant, which included a veiled threat to “buy Comedy Central and fire everyone,” sent shockwaves through social media. Hashtags like #JonVsElon and #MuskMeltdown trended globally, with X users split between hailing Stewart’s wit and defending Musk’s empire. “Jon cooked him!” one fan posted, while another countered, “Elon’s a visionary. Stewart’s just jealous.”
The clash has reignited scrutiny of Musk’s public persona. Once celebrated as a trailblazer, the billionaire has faced growing criticism for erratic behavior, from banning MLB players from Tesla products to sparring with lawmakers like AOC. Stewart’s monologue tapped into this, questioning Musk’s accountability: “He’s not a king; he’s a CEO. Someone tell him he doesn’t own the internet.” Fans on X praised Stewart’s courage, with one writing, “Jon said what we’re all thinking. Elon’s ego needs a reality check.” Critics, however, accused Stewart of punching up for ratings, arguing Musk’s innovations outweigh his flaws.
The fallout has exposed deeper tensions. Tesla’s stock dipped 2% amid renewed concerns about Musk’s focus, while The Daily Show saw a ratings spike. Comedy Central issued a cheeky statement: “We’re not for sale, but thanks for the offer, Elon!” Meanwhile, Musk doubled down, tweeting, “If Jon wants a real debate, I’m game. Name the time and place.” Stewart, ever the showman, teased a response on X: “Debate? I’d rather roast you again next week.”
As the feud dominates headlines, it underscores the collision of comedy, tech, and power in 2025. Stewart’s fearless humor has cemented his relevance, while Musk’s outburst has fueled perceptions of fragility. Whether this escalates into a face-to-face showdown or fizzles out, one thing is clear: Jon Stewart knows how to get under Musk’s skin, and America can’t stop watching.
