Elon Musk has done it again. The Tesla CEO posted a blunt message on X calling “Tom Holland” a c*ck, and the internet went into complete chaos. The problem? Nobody could figure out which Tom Holland he meant. The British actor who plays Spider-Man? Or the British historian who shares the exact same name? Musk’s post came after historian Tom Holland shared a glowing review of Christopher Nolan’s new movie The Odyssey. The confusion turned into a viral moment, with memes, jokes, and heated debates flooding social media.
What Elon Musk Posted on X
On July 7, 2026, Musk wrote a short and sharp message on X: “Tom Holland is such a cuck.” The post had zero additional context or explanation. Within hours, it pulled in millions of views and thousands of comments.
The post was a direct response to historian Tom Holland’s positive take on The Odyssey. The historian had shared a review from The Guardian and added his own thoughts. He wrote: “More praise for The Odyssey from people who – shockingly – have actually waited to see it before giving their opinion.” In another post, he called it the best adaptation of a Greek myth he had ever seen.
Musk clearly did not like that. His response was short, sharp, and sparked an online firestorm.
The Confusion: Which Tom Holland?
Here is where things got messy. There are two famous people named Tom Holland. One is the 29-year-old actor who plays Spider-Man in the Marvel movies. The other is a 57-year-old historian and author who has written books like Rubicon and Persian Fire.
Both men are connected to The Odyssey in different ways. The actor actually stars in Christopher Nolan’s movie, playing the role of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. The historian has been praising the film after watching it twice.
When Musk posted his comment, most people assumed he was talking about the Spider-Man actor. Social media users started defending the young star, with many confused about why Musk would attack him. One user wrote: “Dude, he’s like 16 yrs old man. Lay off him.”
But others quickly pointed out that Musk was actually targeting the historian, not the Marvel actor. The timing matched the historian’s viral review, not anything related to the actor’s work.
Historian Tom Holland Responds
The historian did not stay quiet. He fired back at Musk with his own post on X. He wrote: “Very happy to say it again. The Odyssey is an amazing film, and missing out on seeing it because you think it’s woke or whatever is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Your loss.”
He also added a final comment on the whole situation: “My last comment on this whole business (which I hadn’t realised was a lightning rod for an entire culture war) – if you like Nolan’s other films, you will love The Odyssey. If you didn’t like them, then miss it.”
The historian stood his ground and refused to back down from his positive review.
Why Musk Is Angry About The Odyssey
This is not the first time Musk has spoken against Christopher Nolan’s movie. He has been critical of the film for months, mostly because of the casting choices.
The movie includes Lupita Nyong’o playing Helen of Troy and trans actor Elliot Page playing Sinon, a Greek soldier. Musk has claimed that Nolan made these changes just to meet Academy Award diversity rules.
He previously posted: “Who specifically is the ahole who added DEI lies to Academy Awards eligibility instead of it just being about making the best movie?”** In another post, he said Nolan “desecrated the Odyssey so that he could get the Academy Award.”
The movie has received strong positive reviews from critics. But it has also become a flashpoint for online debates about diversity, casting, and modern adaptations of classic stories.
Social Media Reactions and Memes
The internet had a field day with Musk’s post. People made jokes, created memes, and shared their confusion across platforms.
One user wrote: “You can just imagine the Spiderman Tom Holland scrolling on X and spitting his cereal across the table when he saw the post thinking it was about him.”
Another commented: “Elon 100% thought this was Spider-Man.”
Some users defended the historian. A Philadelphia-based real estate professional named Tracy Herz wrote: “He is a very kind, smart and very nice person. His wife is a midwife. He has a good family. I know exactly which Tom Holland this is and I actually know him. Shame upon shame! Over a movie?”
Others mocked Musk directly. One person said: “Elon trolling like a fat guy in his moms basement will be studied one day.”
Another user wrote: “kinda hard not to block Elon Musk again but it’s also very entertaining to see how shameless once decent person could become.”
The confusion also led to community notes on X clarifying that Musk was referring to the historian, not the actor.
The Actor Tom Holland Stays Out of It
As of now, the Spider-Man actor has not responded to Musk’s post. He is busy promoting The Odyssey, where he plays a key role. The movie is set to release in cinemas on July 17, 2026.
The actor likely has no interest in getting involved in this online drama. His name was dragged into the mess simply because he shares a name with the historian.
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What This Says About Online Culture
This entire situation shows how quickly things can get confused on social media. A single post with no context can create chaos. Musk’s comment was aimed at one person, but the internet assumed it was about someone else entirely.
The debate around The Odyssey also reflects larger cultural arguments. The movie has become a battleground for discussions about diversity, representation, and what modern adaptations should look like. Musk has positioned himself firmly on one side of that debate.
Meanwhile, historian Tom Holland has made it clear that he stands by his review. He watched the movie twice and called it the best Greek myth adaptation he has ever seen. He is not changing his opinion just because Musk disagrees.
The post remains on X with millions of views. Musk has not deleted it or issued any clarification about which Tom Holland he meant. The confusion continues, and the memes keep coming.
Also Read: From Superfan to Storyboard Artist: Brad Ableson’s 20-Year Journey with The Simpsons
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