Elon Musk and the finale of The Boys: a controversial episode

The finale of the fifth season of The Boys has caused quite a stir, especially because it included a sharp jab aimed at billionaire Elon Musk. The episode, which aired on May 22, 2026, introduces a brand-new character, Günter Van Ellis, who appears to be a parody of Musk himself.

New character and his traits

Günter Van Ellis, who appears for the first time in the episode, is presented as the richest man in the world and has no fewer than 17 children. This character not only has enormous wealth, but also a unique passion: being an amateur astronaut. In the episode, he also wears a black cap with the Homelander logo, a clear nod to Musk’s well-known “Make America Great Again” hat.

The controversial scene

In a striking moment in the episode, Günter is flown into space by Homelander, a fascist superhero, where he ultimately dies off-screen. The brutality comes as a surprise and left many viewers, including Musk himself, thinking about it. The scene also includes climate commentary about fertility rates, which skeptics see as a direct dig at the billionaire.

Elon Musk’s reaction

After the finale aired, Musk described the episode as “pathological.” He responded on social media and said he actually hadn’t watched the show, but that the description of the finale motivated him to react. Musk made several comments, including that the writers of The Boys probably “had to write as an apology” because of earlier jokes involving Homelander.

Reaction from the producers and cast

The reactions from the producers and cast of The Boys were mostly lighthearted. Showrunner Erik Kripke and actors such as Antony Starr (Homelander) laughed on social media at Musk’s intense response to the episode. These interactions helped fuel the viral spread of the conversation around the finale and Musk’s role in it.

Conclusion

The finale of The Boys season 5 has not only sparked plenty of debate about its content, but also triggered a wide range of reactions from those involved. With its sharp satire and controversial ending, the show’s impact has expanded further into both the entertainment and tech worlds. This episode and Elon Musk’s follow-up reactions are likely to keep circulating in public discussion for a long time to come.