In a move that’s igniting fierce debate across the internet, Elon Musk has reportedly permanently banned legendary actor Robert De Niro from X (formerly Twitter), citing what he called De Niro’s “divisive and hostile woke presence.”

The shocking development comes after months of increasingly heated public exchanges between De Niro and Musk, with the veteran actor repeatedly criticizing Musk’s leadership of X, his political stances, and his free speech policies — which many have called selective at best. But this time, Musk didn’t just clap back with a tweet — he pulled the plug completely.

“Elon Musk has suspended my account for speaking the truth,” De Niro said in a statement to the press. “This is about silencing people who don’t worship billionaires or agree with his twisted version of ‘free speech.’”

The drama reportedly reached a boiling point earlier this week after De Niro posted a fiery thread slamming X as “a megaphone for hate speech, disinformation, and tech-tyrant egos,” following recent platform changes that critics say promote fringe voices while down-ranking mainstream media and left-leaning content.

Musk wasted no time firing back, tweeting (then pinning):

The phrase “woke presence” quickly went viral, sparking memes, angry debates, and trending hashtags like #FreeDeNiro and #XItOff. While some praised Musk for “standing up to Hollywood hypocrisy,” others saw the move as blatant censorship — and a dangerous precedent.

“Love or hate De Niro, banning a public figure for speaking out is the exact opposite of what free speech is supposed to be,” wrote one political commentator. Others pointed out that De Niro has long been an outspoken critic of authoritarianism, famously calling out Donald Trump during award shows and political events.

The situation has already drawn comparisons to other high-profile bans under Musk’s X regime, including journalists, activists, and even fellow celebrities who clashed with his vision of an “open town square.” But this is perhaps the most iconic figure yet to be exiled from the platform.

Musk, known for mixing sarcasm and strategy, later joked in a follow-up tweet:

While De Niro’s team has not announced any legal action, sources close to the actor say he’s considering building his own digital presence on alternative platforms — or even joining the rising tide of celebrity-backed social media projects.

Whether it’s a tech tyrant crushing dissent or a billionaire defending his digital turf, the Musk-De Niro feud has become more than a social media spat. It’s the latest clash in a growing cultural war where tech, politics, and celebrity all collide.

And in this case, Elon Musk has made one thing crystal clear: X marks the spot — but not for Robert De Niro.