Elo Musk, CEO of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), said that actor Robert De Niro has been permanently removed from the platform. Elo Musk cited De Niro’s “woke presence” as the main reason for this decision, sparking a storm of debate.

The decision was made public in a post by Musk himself, where he said: “At X, we encourage open debate, not space for one-sided, politically charged speech. Robert De Niro’s controversial rhetoric contradicts this mission. There is no place for his awake presence on this platform.”

De Niro, known for his outspoken political views and frequent criticism of conservative figures, has been vocal about his opposition to Musk’s management style and views on free speech. Over the past year, De Niro’s posts on X have included harsh criticism of Musk’s policies, accusing him of facilitating misinformation and promoting divisive ideologies.

Musk’s stance, however, has been to position X as a bastion of free speech, often allowing controversial figures to share their views. However, his decision to support De Niro raised questions about the consistency of this principle. Critics argue that the move highlights a double standard in Musk’s policies, while supporters believe it was necessary to maintain the integrity of the platform.

Musk’s decision has divided public opinion. Musk’s supporters applauded the move, saying it was a necessary step to curb Hollywood’s “woke” influence on social discourse. A popular hashtag, #GoodbyeDeNiro, emerged with users celebrating Musk’s decision to stand firm against what they describe as “elitist arrogance.”

Meanwhile, De Niro’s family and freedom of speech advocates have denounced the move as a form of censorship. Up-and-coming figures in Hollywood and politics have come out in support of the actor, with some even calling for a boycott of X.

Several actors and directors have come to De Niro’s defense. In a joint statement, they stressed the importance of platforms like X, which provide space for diverse viewpoints, even if they challenge popular narratives. “This action sets a dangerous precedent,” said actor Mark Ruffalo. “If a platform claims to support free speech, it cannot arbitrarily silence voices it disagrees with.”

The incident has reignited debate over the role of social media in regulating competition and manipulating public figures. For Musk, this raises a deeper examination of his leadership style and his vision of X as a space for open dialogue.

It remains to be seen whether this decision will attract or repel users. While some see Musk’s decision as bold leadership, others see it as an alarming shift toward authoritarian control of speech on the platform.

As for De Niro, the actor has yet to make a public statement about his passing. However, people close to him have suggested that he might use the incident to amplify his criticism of Musk’s policies in other public forums.

The controversy highlights the complex challenges of balancing free speech and competitive moderation in the age of social media, and puts Musk’s X at the heart of another cultural flashpoint.