In July 2020, actor Johnny Depp brought a libel case against The Sun newspaper claiming that the paper had libeled him by labelling him a ‘wife-beater.’ During the trial, one of the witnesses called to testify was SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Depp’s legal team wanted to prove that he had visited the musician in the latter’s Los Angeles area home in May 2016 and that Musk had provided what he called ‘moral support’ during Depp’s divorce proceedings with Amber Heard. Evidence of the encounter was important to Depp’s legal case, as it helped set up his claim that he had not been violent in his marriage. Whether Musk was present and provided this support was in dispute.
Musk appeared in court in the summer of 2020 to testify at the trial and spent around two hours giving evidence. He stated that he did indeed witness Johnny Depp visiting the home of the musician after his separation from Amber Heard. During his testimony, Musk also stated that Johnny Depp did not appear to be an angry or violent person.
Musk’s testimony also aided Depp’s defence in another aspect. A former estate manager, who was present at the musician’s home when Depp visited, had testified about overhearing an argument between the former couple. Musk categorically denied hearing any argument, and he also refused to agree with the suggestion that Depp was upset about Heard’s inability to have children with him.
Musk’s significance to the trial had been widely documented in the media before and after his court testimony. After initially being approached by Depp’s legal team, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO had stated that he was willing to be a witness. His availability as a witness and stance as an influential figure also meant that he was widely cited in the media as an analysis of the trial.
Despite the newsworthiness of the court case and the media attention that it received, the final ruling is currently unclear. Evidence such as that provided by Elon Musk could be potentially influential in the final judgement. However, depending on the weight the court puts on this evidence, his judgement may or may not be deemed significant.
Evidence of Musk’s Support
Evidence of Musk’s provision of moral support to Johnny Depp was critical to the actor’s case. Documents pertaining to this issue which Musk submitted as evidence provided a critical insight into the nature of the friendship between the two men. An email from July 2016 showed that Musk had consented to Depp being mentioned, along with himself, as a ‘credible witness’ in Depp’s legal dispute with Amber Heard.
The emails had indicated a supportive relationship between the two men, and Musk expanded on the emails in his testimony. He claimed that he ‘did not know Depp well – we had never gone to a concert or a club together, but I respected him as a person. He seemed like a person who cared a lot about the people around him.’ The emails could be useful in creating a picture of the relationship between the two men, and more importantly, Musk’s willingness to provide his friend with moral support during his legal proceedings.
The emails could also potentially be taken into account when the court assesses the amount of weight to attach to Musk’s testimony. The fact that the two were friends, along with the emails that were submitted, could help paint a comprehensive picture. Should the court decide to consider the emails as evidence, the emails could be used to weigh the degree to which Musk’s testimony was credible and reliable.
In addition to this, Musk’s testimony could also have a bearing on determining which version of events presented by each side is more likely to be true. Musk had provided evidence which supported Johnny Depp’s version of events, providing additional insight into the situation.
Musk’s Influence on the Media’s Perception
Given the high profile nature of the case, coverage of the trial was rife in the media. Elon Musk’s involvement meant that he was repeatedly quoted by journalists as they sought to find an explanation as to why the trial was taking place and what implications the decision could have.
Musk’s influence on the media narrative was also highly visible when journalists sought to explain the significance of his testimony. Following his court appearance, a range of media outlets cited Musk as an authority on the trial, with headlines such as ‘Elon Musk Testifies in Johnny Depp’s Libel Lawsuit – What did he say?’ being featured across the media.
Additionally, the very nature of the defamation suit which Depp had brought meant that it was likely to be an emotionally charged affair with many conflicting opinions. In such an environment, the media’s reporting of the trial was largely going to focus on the more divisive aspects and Elon Musk’s presence made that even more of a reality.
Insights from Musk, even those that were one-sided, further fuelled theories concerning the trial. Coverage during the trial was therefore much more polarised than might otherwise been the case.
His involvement also meant that the trial was made more accessible to the public. Many people found a fascination in following the trial as it unfolded in the media, with Elon Musk’s testimony likely being one of the contributing factors to this interest.
The Role of Social Media
In the modern age, where news and information can be accessed so quickly, the importance of social media platforms to the legal matter cannot be overstated. In particular, the trial of Johnny Depp vs The Sun undoubtedly saw an increase in the engagement of social media users.
There have been numerous instances where Elon Musk’s involvement in the trial has become the subject of debate and discussion on social media. For example, when Musk appeared in court, a tweet from the official Tesla account declared that ‘Elon’s in court today to provide moral support to Johnny Depp.’ Sightings of Musk outside the courtroom were also widely shared on social media, garnering a substantial amount of attention.
Furthermore, social media users were also eager to debate and offer their own opinions of Musk’s involvement in the trial. Many users criticised the CEO for not being willing to testify against his friend, whereas others argued that his testimony was evidence of his moral character.
The sheer volume of public engagement enabled by social media platforms therefore illustrates how far-reaching the trial has become. Not only has it caught the attention of traditional media outlets, but it has also prompted an online reaction from individuals all around the world.
Musk’s Reputation in the Firing Line
The trial of Johnny Depp versus The Sun has been the subject of a great deal of media attention, and it stands to reason that a lot of this attention educed in particular because of the presence of Elon Musk as a witness.
For the SpaceX and Tesla mogul, his involvement in the trial not only puts his relationship with Johnny Depp under the microscope, but it can also have implications for his standing with the public. Public perception of Musk as a moral figure is likely to be affected in one way or another by the trial.
Musk’s testimony has not gone without criticism from some, who have criticised the CEO for providing ‘one-sided’ evidence, or for not being willing to provide evidence that could harm his friend Johnny Depp. Though it is unclear to what extent this will damage the public opinion of him, it does illustrate the way in which his reputation can be at risk of scrutiny in high profile cases.
At the same time though, other people have praised him for displaying his moral character by providing moral support to Depp. Should the court deem this evidence to be reliable, the reputation of Elon Musk may be enhanced, as it will no doubt be seen as testimony to his moral character.
Impact of the Evidence on The Verdict
Ultimately, it is the decision of the court to determine the relevance and weight of Elon Musk’s testimony. The judge can choose to accept the witness’s evidence or dismiss it. Should the court accept the evidence, it could serve to strengthen Depp’s case and potentially limit the amount of compensation which he is required to pay.
As mentioned earlier, the emails from Musk to Depp could also have a bearing on the eventual decision. Should the judge deem them credible and reliable, these could also be taken into consideration when making a judgement as to the veracity of the claims.
Finally, Musk’s opinion of Depp’s attitude and manner during their meeting could also potentially be a factor. Musk had insisted that he did not witness any signs of anger or violence from the actor, and such a statement from an influential figure could help to mitigate the accusations made against him.
Comparisons With Depp’s Other Friends
Given the importance of supportive friendships in Depp’s case, it is plausible to consider how social media figure and businessman Dan Bilzerian may also have been a relevant witness had he been called upon to testify. Bilzerian, who is an acquaintance of Depp’s, had previously shared his thoughts on the case via his official Instagram account, describing Depp as ‘one of the nicest people’ he had met. He had also derogatory terms in his description of Amber Heard, calling her a ‘scum’ and citing her as an example of why ‘people don’t generally like women.’
Had he been called upon to give evidence in court, Bilzerian’s opinion may have been used to illustrate the degree to which Depp was a ‘nice person’, and how Heard may well have made false claims. Of course, comparisons between Bilzerian and Musk are difficult given the subtle differences between their roles in the case. However, it is fair to say that both figures are involved in the case in some capacity.
The fact that Johnny Depp’s legal team had not requested Bilzerian’s evidence underlines the potential significance of Elon Musk’s support. While Bilzerian may have shared his opinion on Depp’s nature publicly, the fact that he was not called upon to testify in court indicates that his opinion was ultimately not deemed relevant to the case.
The Unclear Fate of Musk’s Testimony
The future of the libel lawsuit is still unclear. Evidence provided by Elon Musk could have a major impact on the eventual ruling and the court may deem his testimony to be highly relevant. However, the court may decide to place very little weight on his evidence and cast doubts over the reliability of his testimony.
It is also impossible to ascertain the implications that Musk’s testimony may have on his public reputation. Though positive opinions of Musk may be enhanced should the court deem his evidence reliable, doubts may still be cast over whether he consented to provide one-sided evidence.
What is certain is that the outcome of this trial will remain subject to much debate and speculation, not least because of the presence of Elon Musk as one of the witnesses. It could well be the case that his testimony is remembered more than those by any of the other witnesses, given his high profile and the amount of attention that the case has garnered.
