Actor and director Olivia Wilde criticised Musk during a new podcast interview, saying she now “deeply resents” the billionaire after once viewing him as intelligent.
Wilde made the remarks during the July 20 episode of “The Louis Theroux Podcast,” released as she promoted her 2026 film “The Invite.” The 80-minute episode also covered relationships, tabloid coverage and her previous work.
Wilde recalled meeting Elon Musk many years ago, when SpaceX had recently established its Los Angeles headquarters. She said she toured the facility to see its rockets.
Olivia Wilde on Elon Musk: “I met him before he turned into this creature. I really deeply resent him now. I was kind of confused by him. I never would have predicted that he would go the path that he’s gone now because he did seem really smart” pic.twitter.com/Mww7yhImas
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) July 23, 2026
She said Musk had also shown interest in supporting an organisation connected to her that built hospitals and schools in Haiti. Wilde acknowledged that he made a contribution, but said she had not expected him to follow his current path.
“I really deeply resent him,” Wilde said while discussing misogyny, male entitlement and online incel culture with host Louis Theroux.
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Wilde linked the discussion to themes explored in her 2022 film “Don’t Worry Darling,” including what she described as the political weaponisation of misogynistic ideas. Her comments represented her personal assessment of Musk and related political movements.
Musk had not publicly responded to Wilde’s remarks when on July 23.