Elon Musk vs. Oprah Winfrey: A Clash of Influence and Media Power
Elon Musk’s latest comments about Oprah Winfrey have sparked widespread discussion. He sees her as part of the traditional media elite—what he calls the “Old Guard”—that he believes needs disruption. But why did Musk single out Oprah, and what exactly did he say that left so many people stunned?
The Power Struggle Between Titans
In the world of influence and larger-than-life personalities, few figures stand as far apart in vision and impact as Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey. Both are household names, yet their influence has been built in vastly different ways.
Musk, the billionaire tech mogul, has revolutionized space travel with SpaceX, redefined the auto industry with Tesla, and now seeks to shake up the digital world with X (formerly Twitter). He’s known for his unfiltered social media presence, frequently sharing controversial opinions and challenging societal norms.
On the other hand, Oprah is a media powerhouse who has spent decades shaping public opinion. With a career spanning talk shows, book clubs, and philanthropy, her influence reaches across generations. She has the ability to launch careers, define cultural conversations, and set the tone for mainstream media. Her style is warm, inclusive, and nurturing—quite the opposite of Musk’s sharp-edged, rebellious approach.
Why Oprah?
Musk has long been vocal about his belief that traditional media is outdated and manipulative. He argues that it pushes a controlled narrative, suppresses certain viewpoints, and operates under hidden agendas. His goal with X is to create a platform where information flows freely, without the interference of media gatekeepers.
To Musk, Oprah represents the pinnacle of the establishment media—an influential figure who, in his view, helps shape public perception in a way that aligns with a controlled narrative. He has previously criticized the “woke agenda” in media and believes figures like Oprah contribute to maintaining the status quo he seeks to disrupt.
A Clash of Ideologies
Musk’s vision for media is radically different from the world Oprah has helped build. He believes in transparency—at least as he defines it—and wants an open, decentralized conversation where influence is not dictated by legacy media but earned through contribution and authenticity.
Meanwhile, Oprah has built a career on trust and curation. People look to her for guidance on everything from health to politics, and she has maintained a reputation as a figure of stability and integrity. To Musk, this model represents control rather than empowerment, and he is determined to challenge it.
The Future of Media Influence
This confrontation is more than a celebrity feud—it’s a battle over the future of media and influence. Musk is pushing for a world where social media platforms give everyone a voice, while Oprah represents a media structure that values credibility and careful messaging.
Will Musk’s vision of a decentralized media landscape prevail, or will traditional figures like Oprah continue to shape public opinion? One thing is certain: this clash is just beginning, and its outcome could redefine how information is shared and consumed in the digital age.
Oprah Winfrey issues ominous warning about a second Trump presidency at Harris’s final rally‘If we don’t show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to cast a ballot again,’ Oprah Winfrey warns
Oprah Winfrey delivered a damning final warning about the dangers of a second Donald Trump term at Kamala Harris’s last rally of her presidential election campaign.
The veteran talk show host joined the vice president at her star-studded Philadelphia rally on Monday night, marking the last of her five campaign stops in the must-win swing state Pennsylvania on Election Day eve.
After pop star Lady Gaga sang a rendition of Irving Berlin’s God Save America, Oprah arrived on stage and delivered her final pitch to Americans to vote, warning that democracy may hang in the balance if Trump is re-elected.
“You have got to vote. And listen, I know some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every single vote, every one is going to matter,” the media mogul said.
“If we don’t show up tomorrow, it is entirely possible that we will not have the opportunity to cast a ballot again.”
Oprah warned that America stands on the “precipice of danger” and claimed that those reluctant to vote for a presidential candidate risk relinquishing their control to an authoritarian regime.
Oprah Winfrey speaks during Harris’s campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday in Pennsylvania (AP)
“And let me be very clear: if you do not make sure that the people in your life can get to the polls, that is a mistake. Deciding not to decide, that is most definitely a vote to let other people control your future,” she continued.
“We are voting to save ourselves from this precipice of danger where we now stand.
“All the anxiety and fear you are feeling, you’re feeling that because you sense the danger. And you change that with your vote.”
Oprah’s warning comes as Trump has ramped up his authoritarian rhetoric during his campaign and hinted that, if he wins the 2024 race, he would make it so that Americans never need to vote again.
Harris poses with Winfrey at rally as she makes final pitch to voters (AP)
In late July, after Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket, Trump told a Christian audience in Florida they should “get out and vote, just this time”, adding that “you won’t have to do it any more,” if he wins on November 5.
A chorus of Democrats branded the statement “terrifying” while Trump surrogates brushed off the remark as a joke.
The GOP presidential nominee also called for the deployment of the military last month to handle “radical left lunatics,” branding his political opponents as the “enemy from within” and calling for their imprisonment.
Both Harris and Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff John Kelly have condemned the former president as a fascist who could rule as a dictator, with the vice president last week rebuking Trump as a “wannabe dictator” and a “petty tyrant.”
Trump gestures to the crowd at his last rally Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the early hours of Tuesday morning (REUTERS)
Equally apprehensive doomsayers in Trump’s camp have also claimed that a Harris win will take away voters’ rights.
Trump megadonor and likely cabinet member Elon Musk sat down with Joe Rogan on Monday as the podcaster finally announced his endorsement of the former president.
“If Trump doesn’t win this is the last election,” Musk said.
“I think you’re right,” Rogan chimed in. “I think a lot of people are waking up and realize – that have been lifelong Democrats… like I can’t do this anymore.
Musk added: “You and I used to be Democrats.”
