In an unexpected social media showdown, celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk exchanged sharp words on X, touching on wealth, empathy, and the small joys of life.
The debate quickly went viral, highlighting the cultural gap between humanistic reflection and technological ambition.
The conflict began Saturday when Oates, known for her more than 70 published books and multiple Pulitzer Prize nominations, criticized Musk for seeming indifferent to everyday pleasures.
"So curious that such a wealthy man never posts anything that indicates that he enjoys or is even aware of what virtually everyone appreciates—scenes from nature, pet dog or cat, praise for a movie, music, a book... The poorest persons on Twitter may have access to more beauty & meaning in life than the 'most wealthy person in the world,'" Oates tweeted.
According to Yahoo, her post struck a chord online, amassing nearly 5 million views and tens of thousands of likes.
Many users agreed with Oates, suggesting that Musk's enormous wealth and busy schedule have left him disconnected from ordinary experiences.
I don't think Elon, allegedly a mastermind CEO, knows what "alpha," a financial concept so basic it barely registers as "a concept," means. https://t.co/cmyUaq5uOS
— timothy faust 🇵🇸 (@taste_of_tbone) November 10, 2025
Elon Musk Calls Joyce Oates a 'Lazy Liar' in Viral X Clash
Musk responded the next day with a series of personal and dismissive attacks. He called Oates a "lazy liar" and "an abuser of semicolons," and added, "Eating a bag of sawdust would be vastly more enjoyable than reading the laboriously pretentious drivel of Oates."
He also attempted to highlight his appreciation for art, citing 1980s sci-fi classics like "Blade Runner" and "Aliens" as evidence of his cultural knowledge, Decrypt reported.
Despite Musk's attacks, the exchange underscored the contrast between the two figures.
Oates represents a world focused on empathy, beauty, and reflection, while Musk embodies technological progress, innovation, and a relentless work ethic.
Walter Isaacson, Musk's biographer, describes the entrepreneur as treating his successes like levels in a video game, always pushing forward without pause.
By Monday, Oates offered a measured response, praising Musk for allowing criticism on his platform.
"It is impressive that Elon Musk allows critical commentary of himself on X. That is not usually a magnanimity of spirit commensurate with the extreme type of non-empathetic person," she wrote.
Her statement avoided personal attacks, emphasizing the value of empathy and self-awareness.
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