Olivia Wilde has launched a sharp attack on Elon Musk, accusing the billionaire of promoting misogynistic ideas and saying she has grown to 'deeply resent' him after watching his public transformation over the years.
Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, the actress and director reflected on a meeting she had with Musk years ago at SpaceX. While she said she once believed he was intelligent and willing to support charitable work, Wilde claimed his public views have since changed so dramatically that she now sees him in a very different light.
Olivia Wilde Says Elon Musk Changed After Their Early Meeting
Wilde recalled visiting SpaceX in Los Angeles many years ago while working with a charity that built hospitals and schools in Haiti. She said Musk had shown interest in supporting the organisation financially and eventually made a small donation, which she said she appreciated.
Olivia Wilde.
— Kate McNamara (@Kate_McNamara8) July 21, 2026
They met Elon. They were interested in "rocket ships" of course, and they had a "tour of SpaceX".
Elon wasn't interested in them.
For some reason.
I can't think why?
Now they have mentioned that they met him. They have criticised him.
They feel better. pic.twitter.com/yuyUuQ0mey
Although the meeting was positive, Wilde admitted she left feeling unsure about him. She said Musk seemed 'really smart' at the time and never imagined he would later become one of the world's most divisive public figures.
Looking back now, Wilde said her opinion has completely changed. She argued that Musk's public comments about population decline and his political views have led her to believe he represents a wider culture of male entitlement and misogyny.
Actress Says She 'Deeply Resents' the Tesla Boss
During the interview, Wilde did not point to one single event that changed her mind. Instead, she said years of watching Musk's public statements shaped her opinion.
She criticised what she described as powerful men believing they can solve human problems by controlling society and women's choices. Wilde linked Musk's comments about an 'underpopulation crisis' to what she sees as a broader pattern of male power over women's bodies and futures.
'I really resent him now, I really deeply resent him,' Wilde said. She also claimed Musk had 'turned into this creature', making it clear that her criticism is based on his public behaviour rather than their brief personal interaction years ago. At the time of publication, Musk had not publicly responded to her comments.
Wilde Connects Musk to the 'Manosphere' Debate
Much of Wilde's conversation with Louis Theroux focused on what she believes is the rise of misogynistic thinking both online and offline. She argued that these ideas have become more visible in politics and popular culture in recent years.
Born To Be Wilde! Wilde At Heart! Wilde Thing! The caption writes itself when your guest is Olivia Wilde and it’s late and you’re rushing to finish and send something over to the social media team… “But what about her new film, which everyone is talking about, The Invite?” The… pic.twitter.com/whfpPR5nMS
— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) July 21, 2026
She also discussed her 2022 film Don't Worry Darling, saying conservative commentator Jordan Peterson partly inspired Chris Pine's cult-like character. Wilde admitted she may have been 'unfair' in previously calling Peterson a 'pseudo-intellectual' but said she remains troubled by what she considers misogynistic ideas becoming more mainstream.
According to Wilde, Musk's views fit into the same wider conversation about the 'manosphere', where some men believe, they are entitled to women's attention and affection. She suggested these beliefs influenced both her previous work and her latest projects.
New Film Explores Male Entitlement in Relationships
Wilde said those themes continue in her upcoming film The Invite, where she stars alongside Seth Rogen. She explained that one scene explores the belief that marriage automatically gives one partner a right to the other's attraction.
She quoted a line from the film in which Rogen's character says, 'You're supposed to want me,' describing it as an example of the same thinking she associates with incel culture. Wilde argued that romantic relationships should never be built on entitlement.
The actress added that while children deserve unconditional love from their parents, she believes adults in relationships are not entitled to another person's affection. For Wilde, that distinction lies at the centre of her criticism of the wider culture she says Musk now represents.
