Actor and comedian Seth Rogen has criticized billionaire Elon Musk for charging customers at his Tesla Diner, suggesting the world’s richest man should be giving away hamburgers instead.
The remarks originally came during a September 2025 promotional interview for the comedy Good Fortune, but recently resurfaced on X, drawing renewed attention to Rogen’s criticism of the Tesla CEO.
Rogen, himself a wealthy Hollywood celebrity, argued that Musk has little need for the money generated by selling food. His comments raise a broader question about whether successful business owners should be expected to give away products simply because they can afford to.
Meanwhile, Rogen has no shortage of commercial entertainment projects on the horizon, including a new comedy with Anna Kendrick, another season of The Studio, and Disney’s upcoming Darkwing Duck reboot.
Seth Rogen Wants Free Burgers From Elon Musk
During an interview with Esquire, Rogen criticized Musk’s Tesla Diner in Los Angeles, expressing disbelief that the establishment charges customers for its food.
“Like it’s not free. He’s still charging people for smash burgers,” Rogen complained.
Asked to elaborate, the actor argued that Musk’s enormous personal fortune should eliminate the need to collect money from customers.
Elon Musk via Real Time with Bill Maher YouTube
“Oh, there’s a Tesla diner in LA. Like that should be free. That s–t should be free. You don’t need burger money when you’re the richest guy on earth.”
His Good Fortune co-star Aziz Ansari then brought up another celebrity-backed restaurant chain, pointing to Mark Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers.
“Exactly. Mark Wahlberg. I’m sick of these billionaires charging us for burgers,” Rogen replied.
Should Billionaires Be Expected to Give Everything Away?
Although the exchange appeared humorous, Rogen’s criticism echoes a familiar argument that wealthy individuals have an obligation to use their fortunes for the public’s benefit.
However, that reasoning overlooks the practical realities of running a business.
Tesla’s diner employs workers, purchases ingredients, and operates as a commercial establishment. Musk’s personal fortune does not eliminate those expenses or automatically turn the restaurant into a charitable enterprise.
Furthermore, Musk’s personal wealth and the finances of an individual business are not interchangeable. Even a billionaire has legitimate reasons to expect a commercial venture to generate revenue.
Rogen’s own entertainment career, meanwhile, depends on audiences purchasing movie tickets, maintaining television subscriptions, and spending money on other products. His continued involvement in major Hollywood productions makes the comparison particularly relevant.
Rogen Has Plenty of Paying Projects Ahead
Despite his complaints about wealthy individuals collecting money from customers, Rogen remains an active participant in Hollywood’s lucrative entertainment industry.
According to Deadline, Rogen will star alongside Anna Kendrick in Babies, a comedy directed by his wife, Lauren Miller Rogen. The film follows a married couple confronting questions about parenthood.
Seth Rogen sits with Fozzie Bear in the Trailer for Muppets Now on Disney+ – YouTube, The Muppets
Rogen is also returning for a second season of Apple’s The Studio, which he co-created with Evan Goldberg. The Hollywood satire features Rogen as a studio executive navigating the entertainment industry’s complicated business relationships.
Additionally, Disney has enlisted Rogen to produce its upcoming Darkwing Duck revival under his Point Grey Pictures banner. He is also set to voice Launchpad McQuack, opposite Mark Hamill as the titular superhero.
As That Park Place previously reported, the reboot replaces longtime voice actor Jim Cummings, giving Rogen another opportunity to participate in a major entertainment franchise.
A Double Standard for Wealthy Celebrities?
Together with his other upcoming ventures, these projects demonstrate how Rogen continues to benefit financially from commercial entertainment.
Of course, the actor’s comments came during a humorous conversation, and there is no indication he seriously expects every billionaire-owned business to operate without charging customers. Still, his remarks raise the question of how many fans might genuinely embrace that expectation.
Seth Rogen – Esquire, YouTube
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The contrast is difficult to ignore. Rogen has built a successful career selling entertainment while criticizing Musk for selling hamburgers.
There is nothing inherently wrong with wealthy celebrities advocating generosity. However, expecting one billionaire to give away his products while continuing to profit from one’s own ventures invites questions about consistency.
Regardless of whether audiences agree with Rogen’s criticism, they will still be expected to pay for many of his upcoming projects. Presumably, nobody expects Disney or Apple to start giving those away for free.
Do you agree with Seth Rogen that Elon Musk should give away hamburgers for free? Sound off and let us know!
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