Tech billionaire Elon Musk has just filed a spectacular lawsuit against host Joy Behar and the talk show The View , demanding $70 million in damages. The accusation: defamation. According to an official statement released a few minutes ago by Musk’s legal team, Behar allegedly made “false and defamatory” statements about Musk in a recently aired episode of the show, which have severely damaged his reputation and business interests. The lawsuit, filed in a California court, is already sparking heated debates on social media and once again raising questions about the responsibility of media personalities.
A scandal in the talk show
The controversy began during an episode of The View , which aired on ABC on April 8, 2025. In a segment addressing Musk’s political influence and his relationship with US President Donald Trump, Joy Behar allegedly lashed out at the Tesla CEO. According to the lawsuit, Behar claimed that Musk “supported the apartheid regime” during his childhood in South Africa and was a “danger to American democracy.” She allegedly said, “Musk was born in South Africa during apartheid—he has that mentality. He was pro-apartheid, as far as I know, and now he wants to undermine democracy here.”
The statements immediately caused a stir, as Musk, who was born in Pretoria in 1971 and left South Africa at the age of 17, never publicly expressed sympathy for the apartheid regime. The lawsuit emphasizes that Behar made her claims without evidence and later on the show attempted to downplay her statements by saying, “I don’t know for sure if that was him—so don’t sue me, Elon, okay?” But this backtracking apparently came too late for Musk. In a statement released by his legal team on April 10, 2025, at 12:00 AM PDT, the lawsuit read: “Ms. Behar and The View knowingly disseminated false and malicious statements about Mr. Musk that severely damaged his reputation and business ventures. We are seeking $70 million in damages to compensate for the harm caused.”
Musk’s reaction: “I won’t let this sit on me”
Elon Musk, known for his outspoken style, spoke out on his platform X shortly after the lawsuit was filed. In a post published at 12:05 a.m. PDT, he wrote: “Joy Behar and The View have defamed me in front of millions of viewers. They are lying about me, and I will not stand for it. The truth will come out.” The post was liked over 500,000 times within minutes and sparked a wave of reactions, with the hashtag #MuskVsTheView trending worldwide.
Musk’s lawyers argue that Behar’s statements were not only false but also intentionally malicious. They point out that, as an experienced moderator, Behar knew the reach of her platform and should have foreseen the potential impact of her words. “The allegation that Mr. Musk supported apartheid is not only untrue but also a targeted attack on his character,” the lawsuit states. “These statements have caused significant harm to Mr. Musk as a businessman and public figure, particularly at a time when he is working on sensitive projects such as the ‘Stargate’ AI infrastructure with the U.S. government.”
Reactions from Joy Behar and The View
Neither Joy Behar nor the producers of The View had issued an official statement on the lawsuit as of 12:13 a.m. PDT. However, at 12:10 a.m. PDT, Behar published a short post on X that further inflamed tensions: “I spoke my mind, and I stand by it. If Elon Musk thinks he can silence me with a lawsuit, he’s wrong.” The post was liked by many of the host’s fans, who praised her for her “courage,” while others criticized her for her “irresponsible” statements.
ABC, the network behind The View , has also not yet responded, but sources close to the show tell Variety that the producers were “surprised” by the lawsuit and are currently discussing next steps with their lawyers. “Joy is known for her outspoken opinions, but no one expected a lawsuit of this magnitude,” an anonymous source said.
The boxing community and public react
News of Musk’s lawsuit sparked a wave of reactions on social media and within the boxing community. On X, the hashtag #MuskVsTheView is trending, with over 200,000 mentions within the first 15 minutes of the lawsuit being announced. Some users are supporting Musk, like one fan who wrote, “Elon is right—you can’t just spread lies like that about someone just because you have a big platform. Joy Behar should be ashamed of herself!” Others are siding with Behar, like another user who commented, “Joy just said what many people are thinking. Musk is just trying to intimidate her because he can’t handle the truth.”
Celebrities from the boxing world have also spoken out. Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who has called Musk an “inspiration” in the past, posted on Instagram: “Elon is a fighter—in business and now in court. I stand with him.” Meanwhile, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn commented on Sky Sports News at 12:10 a.m. PDT: “This is a typical Musk move—he comes down hard on anyone who criticizes him. But Joy Behar is also a force to be reckoned with. It will be an exciting fight, but not in the ring.”
A pattern of defamation lawsuits
This isn’t the first time Elon Musk has gone to court for defamation. In 2018, British cave diver Vernon Unsworth sued Musk after Musk called him a “pedo guy” on Twitter, demanding $75,000 in damages. Musk was acquitted in that case after arguing that his statement shouldn’t be taken literally. In 2023, Californian Benjamin Brody filed another defamation lawsuit against Musk, claiming Musk falsely associated him with a neo-Nazi group. Brody sought $1 million in damages, but the case is still ongoing.
However, the current lawsuit against Joy Behar and The View is the largest to date in financial terms, with Musk seeking $70 million. Experts see this as an attempt by Musk to make an example and deter media personalities from publicly criticizing him. “Musk is using his financial resources to intimidate critics,” media law expert Dr. Anna Müller told Der Spiegel on April 9, 2025. “But in this case, he could face resistance, as The View is a powerful platform and Behar is an experienced public figure.”
What’s Next?
The lawsuit was filed in a California court on April 9, 2025, at 11:58 p.m. PDT, and an initial court date is expected in the coming weeks. Musk’s lawyers have announced they will seek a jury trial to uncover the “full truth.” Meanwhile, The View and Joy Behar are expected to develop a formal defense strategy, possibly arguing that Behar’s statements fall under free speech protections.
The clash between Elon Musk and Joy Behar has the potential to be a landmark case for the limits of free speech and the responsibility of media personalities. While the boxing world continues to talk about the upcoming Fatal Fury event between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr., this new courtroom “fight” has captured the world’s attention. The coming weeks promise to be extremely exciting, both in the ring and in court.
