Actor John C. Reilly has publicly criticized comments made by Elon Musk regarding empathy, arguing that the trait is fundamental to human exceptionalism and civilization.
During an appearance on the "It’s Open with Ilana Glazer" podcast, Reilly addressed what he described as the concept of an "empathy trap" gaining traction on social media. He attributed this idea to Musk, who in March 2025, reportedly told podcaster Joe Rogan that empathy, particularly in Western civilization, was becoming a "civilizational suicidal empathy" and was being "weaponized."
Reilly countered this perspective, stating, "Empathy is not a trap. Empathy is a superpower. It’s what makes human beings exceptional." He elaborated that the ability to connect with others outside of oneself is a key differentiator for humans, contrasting it with a purely self-serving instinct. "We're not an alligator trying to just get the next fish, you know? We're human beings. We can relate to something that’s not us... that’s a superpower," Reilly said.
He further emphasized the societal importance of empathy, calling it a "cornerstone of civilization." Reilly used the example of obeying traffic signals, suggesting that even simple acts of restraint, like waiting at a red light to avoid potentially harming another person, demonstrate this empathetic principle. "The fact that we stay at the red light and don’t just zoom out because we want to get through the light faster — because what will happen? Well, we might smash into someone. Well, you don’t know that person. Yeah, but I still don’t want to smash into them, you know?"
The actor expressed bewilderment that such fundamental concepts were being debated, describing the current discourse as "upside down."