Joyce Carol Oates Critiques Elon Musk in Viral Twitter Exchange

Elon Musk faced sharp criticism from acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates over the weekend, leading to a heated exchange on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Oates, known for her incisive cultural commentary and prolific writing, directed her critique at Musk after he boasted about his substantial earnings, claiming he deserved a $1 trillion pay package.

Oates’ Critique Sparks Controversy

In her tweet, Oates questioned why someone with Musk’s wealth appears detached from cultural experiences that many find meaningful. She stated, “So curious that such a wealthy man never posts anything that indicates that he enjoys or is even aware of what virtually everyone appreciates.” She continued by asserting that Musk’s public persona suggests a lack of education and cultural awareness, saying, “The poorest persons on Twitter may have access to more beauty & meaning in life than the ‘most wealthy person in the world.’”

This tweet quickly gained traction, with numerous users supporting Oates’ assessment. In response, Musk took to the platform to defend himself, describing Oates as a “lazy liar” and a “mean” person. He claimed her observations could be disproven with a simple search and expressed disdain for her literary work, stating, “Eating a bag of sawdust would be vastly more enjoyable than reading the laboriously pretentious drivel of Oates.”

Musk’s Reaction and Subsequent Posts

Despite his bravado, it appeared the exchange affected Musk. Following Oates’ comments, he began posting about movies and books, perhaps attempting to demonstrate a broader cultural engagement. He tweeted remarks such as “Great movie” in reference to the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow and noted the style of the 1997 sci-fi classic The Fifth Element. However, his comments often seemed superficial, with previous instances of misunderstanding popular films, including misidentifying the protagonist in Blade Runner.

Interestingly, shortly after the Twitter exchange, advertisements began appearing for a service called Blinkist, which offers summarized versions of books. The ads claimed that Musk “reads a lot,” adding an ironic twist to the ongoing discourse about his reading habits.

In a follow-up, Oates clarified that her intention was not to roast Musk but rather to express genuine curiosity about his apparent disconnection from the cultural values shared by many. “Truly it was out of curiosity: why a person with unlimited resources exhibits so little appreciation or even awareness of the things that most people value as giving meaning to life,” she stated.

The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures and their engagement with cultural narratives. As Musk continues to navigate the complexities of public perception, Oates’ critique serves as a reminder of the value many place on cultural appreciation and authenticity.