Sun Mar 23 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Bear Star Calls Elon Musk an “Idiot” for Fueling Fake Casting Rumor That Sparked Death Threats
**Los Angeles, CA** – Ayo Edebiri, star of the critically acclaimed FX series *The Bear*, has publicly condemned Elon Musk for his role in spreading a false casting rumor that led to a torrent of online abuse. Edebiri took to Instagram, accusing Musk of amplifying a rumor that she was replacing Johnny Depp in a *Pirates of the Caribbean* reboot, a claim she says resulted in “some of the most insane death threats and racial slurs” of her life.
The rumor, initially shared by a conservative-leaning political news account on X, claimed Edebiri was being considered for a lead role. Musk, who has previously expressed opposition to diversity initiatives, reposted the rumor on his own X account, adding the comment, “Disney sucks.” While the original post has since been deleted, Musk’s remains online.
Edebiri’s scathing response included calling Musk a “double sieg heil-ing fascist” and an “idiot,” referencing gestures Musk made at a Trump rally that were interpreted by many as Nazi salutes.
The original source of the rumor appears to be a self-described Hollywood insider, Daniel Richtman, whose unverified report was later picked up by several entertainment news sites, gaining significant traction after Musk’s endorsement. Richtman later clarified that his information was misrepresented, stating Edebiri was only one of several actors considered for a spin-off, not a replacement for Depp.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Hollywood, with critics often conflating anti-discrimination efforts with casting decisions. Edebiri’s experience mirrors that of other female actors of color who have faced similar online harassment after joining major franchises. Musk’s own history of publicly opposing DEI initiatives further fuels speculation about a possible connection between his actions and the ensuing online attacks.
Representatives for both Edebiri and Musk have yet to comment publicly.
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