Elon Musk responded to Jimmy Kimmel with just three words after the host mocked him for his controversial salute and the ongoing Tesla debates, causing Jimmy to immediately clarify his remarks.

In a recent exchange that quickly caught fire online, Elon Musk responded with just three pointed words after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took a jab at him during a segment that referenced Musk’s controversial salute and the ongoing debates surrounding Tesla’s direction.

During his show, Kimmel mocked Musk for what he called a “weird cosplay salute” and added fuel to the fire with sarcastic remarks about Tesla’s recent controversies and Musk’s polarizing public persona.

But Musk, known for his blunt and sometimes cryptic replies on social media, didn’t let it slide. He fired back on X (formerly Twitter) with only three words: “Cry more, Jimmy.”

The post instantly went viral, with Musk’s followers rallying behind him and critics weighing in with their own takes. The clapback was sharp enough that Kimmel quickly took to his own social media to clarify his remarks, stating that the joke was “just a bit of fun” and that he “respects Musk’s achievements.”

Despite the backpedal, the exchange once again highlighted Musk’s unpredictable yet highly effective use of social media—and how even a few words from him can dominate headlines.