Now, Billie Eilish criticizes Elon Musk and calls him a pathetic coward
Billie Eilish has reignited the debate about billionaire philanthropy after a series of Instagram posts criticizing Elon Musk, following previous comments at an awards ceremony recently.
Billie Eilish publicly criticized Elon Musk via her Instagram Stories on Thursday, where she posted a series of comments aimed at Musk’s approach to philanthropy and the concentration of wealth among billionaires. The posts, which included direct insults, come just weeks after Eilish questioned the role of excessive money at a high-profile awards ceremony. His comments have fueled an ongoing debate over how billionaires can use their fortunes to address global issues.
The singer’s Instagram activity included an expletive-laden story in which she called Musk “a pathetic man, a coward.” The posts came after European feminist organization My Voice, My Choice reposted content that suggested Musk could use his resources to solve problems like world hunger. These statements were published as screenshots and text slides, making Eilish’s criticism visible to her massive online following.
Among the slides shared by Eilish was an estimate from the United Nations World Food Program that suggested $40 billion per year could end world hunger by 2030. This figure was referenced with the claim that more than 41 million people were “knocking at the door of famine.” Other slides suggested Musk’s wealth could be used to help endangered species or rebuild Gaza after recent destruction, citing UN figures of $70 billion needed for reconstruction.
Eilish also reposted a photo calling Musk a billionaire, although a Forbes report indicates his actual net worth is less than half that amount. The post likely refers to the $1 trillion pay package recently approved by Tesla shareholders, a figure that could be reached within the next decade if performance conditions are met. Forbes separately estimates that Musk has already donated $5 billion.
Eilish’s criticism of the wealth of billionaires is nothing new. During his acceptance speech for the Music Innovator Award at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards on October 29, he addressed a room that included high-profile individuals such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Eilish commented, “Love you all, but there are some people out here who have more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but give away your money, little ones.”
At the same awards ceremony, late-night host Stephen Colbert introduced Eilish and announced her intention to donate $11.5 million from her tour’s proceeds to support organizations, projects and voices dedicated to food equality, consumer justice, reducing carbon pollution, and tackling the climate crisis. The speech sparked debate online, with some commentators highlighting figures such as Zuckerberg, who Forbes reports has already donated $5 billion to charity.
The widespread discussion following Eilish’s comments has drawn reactions from political figures. Senator Elizabeth Warren called Eilish’s question about billionaire status “the right question” and said, “There is no one in this country who got rich on their own” and billionaires “should pay their fair share.”
The renewed focus on billionaire philanthropy and wealth inequality highlights ongoing tensions about the responsibilities of the world’s richest individuals. Eilish’s comments, both online and in public appearances, continue to provoke debate about the impact and adequacy of charitable donations by billionaires, as well as their ability to tackle major global challenges.
