LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a surprising twist at the star-studded wedding of Ari Emanuel and Sarah Staudinger in St Tropez last year, liberal comedian and 'Seinfeld' creator Larry David launched a fiery attack on tech mogul Elon Musk over his shift to Republican affiliations.
The confrontation, detailed in Walter Isaacson's recent biography on Musk, unfolded in the midst of the picturesque ceremony, attended by A-list celebrities such as Emily Ratajkowski, Mark Wahlberg, and Sean Combs.
Isaacson's expose delves into the background of this explosive encounter, revealing that Emanuel, the mastermind behind the seating arrangements, deliberately placed Musk and David together, anticipating a political showdown.
Larry David confronts Elon Musk
David, known for his outspoken support of the Democratic party, had expressed his distaste for Musk beforehand, setting the stage for a contentious exchange. David reportedly confided in MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, another guest at the wedding, about his reservations regarding Musk.
"I had told Ari I was not a big fan of Elon, so he seated me with him," David revealed to Scarborough, according to the book. What ensued was a heated conversation that Isaacson likened to "a microcosm of Twitter."
In a moment of apparent exasperation, David questioned Musk, "Do you just want to murder kids in schools?" Musk, the 52-year-old CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, responded with clear annoyance, saying, "No, no. I'm anti-kid murder." David pressed on, inquiring how Musk could align himself with the Republican party given this stance.
David later confirmed his exchange with Musk to Isaacson, explaining that Musk's tweets about voting Republican had incensed him. "His tweets about voting Republican because Democrats were the party of division and hate were sticking in my craw," David stated.
He went on to mention the Robb Elementary School shooting that occurred just days before the wedding, suggesting that even without that tragedy, he would have brought up the issue. "Even if Uvalde never happened, I probably would have brought it up, because I was angry and offended," he said.
Elon Musk's political shift
In the weeks leading up to the May 27 wedding, Elon Musk had caused a stir with his tweets, renouncing his previous support for the Democratic party.
"In the past, I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party," he posted on May 18. "But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican. Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold."
However, David's confrontational approach at the wedding appeared to catch Musk off guard amid the festive atmosphere in southern France.
Larry David's staunch support for the Democratic party is well-documented, dating back to his 2010 New York Times article criticizing tax cuts for the wealthy during the Bush administration. Notably, he signed off his piece with a sarcastic thank you to then-President Barack Obama.
Interestingly, until recently, Elon Musk served on the board of Ari Emanuel's company, Endeavor, a major player in the entertainment and media industry, boasting ownership of properties like the UFC and WWE.
Conversely, Larry David is among Emanuel's esteemed clientele and even officiated his wedding, underscoring the interconnectedness of the entertainment and tech worlds.
Social media backlash against Larry David
Despite his politically charged exchange with Musk, Larry David faced a considerable backlash on social media. Critics pointed to his endorsement of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX as evidence of his own controversial decisions.
"Remember when Larry David endorsed FTX and everyone lost their money?" one posted on X.
"Larry David helped FTX steal billions of dollars from individuals," another added.
"School violence is minuscule compared to the number of children butchered in abortions! A percent of a percent, just about," a comment read.
"That's not very funny. Trump Derangement Syndrome has destroyed so many people's lives," someone else offered.
"I always knew Larry would shatter like a crystal flute at an Opera Convention but I didn’t think it would be something so completely ridiculous," another chimed in.
