ALEC BALDWIN HITS BACK AT ELON MUSK OVER LUPITA NYONG’O CASTING

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin has fired back at Elon Musk after he criticised the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in the upcoming film The Odyssey specifically taking issue with her appearance.

In an Instagram post featuring a photo of the Oscar-winning actress, the 68-year-old 30 Rock star wrote directly to Musk, “Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world… Alec.”

Baldwin’s defence came just days after conservative commentator Matt Walsh slammed the decision on X, arguing that Nyong’o whose casting as the mythological figure whose legendary beauty ignited the Trojan War does not fit the role. “Not one person on the planet actually thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’” Walsh tweeted on May 12.

He went on to accuse director Christopher Nolan of bowing to political pressure, calling him “technically talented but a coward” for avoiding a white actress in the part.

Musk, 54, echoed Walsh’s sentiment, simply replying “True.” When another user questioned why so many directors “race swap white characters,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO suggested Nolan was chasing awards, adding that the filmmaker had “lost his integrity” by casting the 43-year-old Black Panther star.

The billionaire didn’t stop there. Earlier this month, Musk also reacted angrily to rumours that trans actor Elliot Page would play Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War. He called the idea “one of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard.” 

After it was confirmed that Page would instead portray a different character, Elpenor, Musk reposted a tweet reading, “I’m not mocking her masculinity. I’m denying its existence.” Musk, who has an estranged transgender daughter named Vivian, has faced criticism for his remarks.