Lupita Nyong'o Sparks Elon Musk And MAGA Outrage

by Jada GomezBuzzFeedBuzzFeed StaffAs the Managing Editor of Streaming at BuzzFeed, I cover all things entertainment, and especially love to nerd out on all things Disney.

The myth of Helen of Troy is that she was known for having the "face that launched a thousand ships" with her unparalleled beauty. And when it comes to unparalleled beauty, Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong'o has that in droves.

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Her beauty — on top of her Oscar-winning talent — makes her a great addition to Christopher Nolan's version of The Odyssey as Helen of Troy, coming to theaters in July.

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The film already features a stacked cast, including Matt Damon, newlyweds Zendaya and Tom Holland, Elliot Page, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, and Jon Bernthal.

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While Lupita's casting as Helen of Troy, revealed by TIME this week, is an exciting choice, not everyone is thrilled about Lupita portraying the most beautiful woman in the world, per Homer's classic. In fact, they're really loud about their ire.

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Matt Walsh, a conservative political commentator and podcaster, tweeted his disapproval on X, saying:

"We're told that we shouldn't object to Helen of Troy being portrayed as a black woman. And yet if a major Hollywood studio made a film set in Africa and cast a white woman as "the most beautiful woman in Africa," those same people would literally riot in the street. If, say, Sydney Sweeney was cast in the role, they'd be driven to murderous violence. We all know this is the case."

@MattWalshBlog / Via x.com

Elon Musk, owner of X and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader, replied to Matt:

"Absolutely true. Such hypocrisy in Hollywood."

@elonmusk/ / Via x.com

When responding to a post asking, "Why is Christopher Nolan like many other directors so keen to race swap white characters?," Elon responded: "He wants the awards."

@elonmusk / Via x.com

Wading deeper into the Helen of Troy fury, Elon had even more choice words for The Odyssey director:

"Chris Nolan is pissing on Homer’s grave. Disgraceful."

@elonmusk / Via x.com

But Elon was just getting started, as he doubled down on his comments about The Odyssey. In other X posts, he said Chris Nolan "grossly insulted the Greek people. Shame."

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Surprising absolutely no one, Elon is also upset with the rumor that trans actor Elliot Page may play the Greek warrior Achilles in the film. About the unconfirmed casting choice, he wrote: "One of the dumbest and twisted things I’ve ever heard."

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Elon has a trans daughter, Vivienne Jenna Wilson, and has been estranged from her.

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Neither Chris Nolan, Elliot Page, or Lupita Nyong'o have responded to this racist and transphobic pile on. And I like that kind of peace for them.

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However, Lupita in particular has now been thrown into the madness that happens when a Black actor takes on a role that some think should be designated for white actors only.

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We've seen it time and time again, from John Boyega in Star Wars to Halle Bailey as Ariel in the live action of The Little Mermaid. Same story, same ridiculous, unwarranted anger.

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On X, people are posting in support of Lupita and calling out the racism now swarming The Odyssey for what it is:

"yes, u either support her role behind Helen or stand against her, white supremacists will never stop using "accuracy" as an excuse to be racist. She's beautiful noone cares about freakin hair color. + Jesus was never described as white yet many ignore it cause suits their fantasy"

@january0andrews / Via x.com

"Support and encouragement given. While the movie looks like a complete aesthetic flop for many reasons, Lupita is gorgeous and I'm sure she will act out Helen skillfully. If blondes can, so can she. If blondes do, so should she."

@AtreiLeonidas / Via x.com

"She’s a treasure and frankly should be starring in leading roles instead of buzzy supporting parts. I really wish she were playing Odysseus. She could absolutely do it."

@GoodmenWorld / Via x.com

"Also the Odyssey by Homer has been edited and translated multiple times over the past 2,800 years... Who's to say the characters descriptions haven't been purposely changed from its oral original source since 750 BCE?"

@january0andrews / Via x.com

"They expect real helen to be cast and they never knew how real helen looked because it's all just some imaginative poetry myth."

@TheCulturecash / Via x.com

Well, Helen of Troy is Black in 2026. And it seems like people who are really bothered about that have two options: a) skip the movie or b) watch it mad.

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What are you thoughts on The Odyssey casting causing all these crash outs? Let me know in the comments.

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