Bill Burr Turns "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Press Tour into an Unrelenting Elon Musk Roast
Bill Burr, the notoriously blunt and unfiltered comedian, is currently on a press tour promoting his new stand-up special, "Drop Dead Gorgeous," on Hulu. However, the tour has taken an unexpected turn, evolving into a relentless, often hilarious, and deeply critical takedown of tech billionaire Elon Musk. Burr’s comments have ranged from dissecting Musk’s personal style to accusing him of being a heartless member of a class of wealthy elites uninterested in the well-being of the planet.
Burr’s critique is not just based on Musk’s public persona but seems to stem from a broader frustration with the perceived detachment and lack of social responsibility exhibited by tech billionaires. He appears particularly irked by what he sees as Musk’s rewriting of his own history, painting himself as a cool outsider rather than the "nerd" Burr believes he truly was.
The comedian kicked off his anti-Musk campaign with a fiery appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon. He questioned Musk’s fashion sense, rhetorically asking, "Why does Elon Musk dress like he just got out of a Hot Topic?" He then launched into a more pointed attack, saying, "I am so sick of that guy trying to rewrite his origin story like he was Matthew McConaughey pulling into the high school," referencing McConaughey’s iconic character from "Dazed and Confused," who notoriously hangs around younger students.
Burr continued his tirade, adding, "Like you were a (expletive) nerd, nobody banged you and now you have hair plugs in your laminated face." He expressed bewilderment at the deference often shown to these figures, stating, "Everybody is afraid of these nerds, I don’t get it. They’re horrible, heartless people. And then, for some reason, if you say that, you’re like a communist, and then we’re in bed with the Russians."
His criticism extends beyond Musk’s personal image, touching upon the perceived dangers of concentrated power and technological advancement without ethical considerations.
Burr doubled down on his anti-Musk stance during a subsequent appearance on "The View." When co-host Joy Behar asked him if anyone was "getting your ire up these days," Burr didn’t hesitate to unleash another wave of criticism. "The nerds that own the politicians. All these tech nerds that want to build robots because they don’t know how to talk to hot women," he declared.
He then connected Musk’s space exploration ambitions to a larger, more cynical view of the future. "And I think Elon has got the rockets going because they realize there’s other earths out there. And they’re going to trash this one, because they don’t have any concern for it, and they’re going to move on." This statement suggests a deep distrust of Musk’s motives and a fear that his focus on space travel is a distraction from the pressing issues facing Earth.
Burr’s critiques are not limited to television appearances. In an interview with NPR earlier this month, he took aim at Musk’s controversial inauguration salute, calling it a "two-time Seig heil" and criticizing liberals for considering leaving the country in response. "This is why I hate liberals. It’s like liberals have no teeth whatsoever. They just go, ‘Oh, my God. Can you believe – I’m getting out of the country.’" He added, "I’m just like, you’re going to leave the country cause of one guy with dyed hair plugs and a laminated face who runs – who makes a bad car and has an obsolete social media platform?"
This highlights Burr’s frustration with what he perceives as an overreaction and lack of resilience on the part of some liberals, arguing that fleeing the country is not the answer to the challenges posed by figures like Musk. He clearly sees Musk as a symptom of a larger problem, rather than an insurmountable obstacle.
In a profile published by the Boston Globe, Burr further elaborated on his disdain for Musk and other tech billionaires, focusing on their treatment of workers. "They’re so upset with this country and the way it’s working, it’s like, you guys are multi-billionaires, what is the problem? I feel like it’s working for you," the Massachusetts native told the outlet. "You know what’s not working for you? All of these tech nerd billionaires who don’t want to pay anybody."
When asked directly why he has been so vocal about his anti-Musk sentiments, Burr responded with a simple question: "Why isn’t everybody?" He then added, "These super rich people want to keep the water boiling, which I don’t think is what we need right now. This is such a great country. Are we really going to ruin it because five guys are competing to be the first trillionaire?"
Burr’s comments tap into a growing sentiment of economic inequality and the perceived lack of accountability among the ultra-rich. He paints a picture of a country on the brink of disaster, fueled by the unchecked ambition of a few individuals more concerned with personal wealth and technological advancement than the well-being of the majority.
Ultimately, Bill Burr’s "Drop Dead Gorgeous" press tour has become more than just a promotional vehicle for his new stand-up special. It has transformed into a platform for him to voice his concerns about the power and influence of tech billionaires, specifically Elon Musk, and to challenge the prevailing narrative that these figures are inherently benevolent or deserving of admiration. Whether his criticism will have any tangible impact remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked a conversation and added a layer of political commentary to his comedic persona. His views resonate with many who feel that the ultra-rich are detached from the realities of everyday life and are not contributing their fair share to society. The comedian is using his platform to challenge the status quo and spark a broader discussion about the role of wealth and power in contemporary society.
