A Legal Earthquake in Hollywood: Elon Musk Launches $70 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Joy Behar and ABC’s The View
Los Angeles, California — In a legal saga that has captured national headlines and ignited fierce debate on social media, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has filed a bombshell defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar and the producers of ABC’s The View. The lawsuit, filed in a California court on March 20, 2025, seeks $70 million in damages, alleging that Behar’s on-air remarks were not only factually incorrect but delivered with malicious intent, causing widespread harm to Musk’s personal reputation and professional interests.
This legal confrontation isn’t just about one man’s public image—it’s about the boundaries of televised speech, the accountability of mainstream media, and the growing tension between billionaires and broadcast platforms.
At the heart of Musk’s complaint are comments made during a recent episode of The View, in which Behar accused Musk of being “pro-apartheid” and labeled him an “enemy of the United States.” These incendiary statements were made during a heated discussion about Musk’s influence in politics, particularly his ongoing ties to former President Donald Trump and his expanding control over digital media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Behar suggested that Musk’s upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa shaped what she called a “problematic worldview,” saying:
“He was born under apartheid in South Africa, so he has that mentality going on—he was pro-apartheid, as I understand it.”
According to Musk’s legal team, those remarks crossed the line. They argue that the statements were not just reckless speculation, but intentionally defamatory, especially considering Behar later attempted to walk them back on air, joking:
“I don’t really know for sure if he was… So don’t be suing me, okay, Elon?”
But Musk wasn’t laughing. His attorneys claim this flippant retraction only underscores Behar’s awareness that her statements were baseless, yet she made them anyway—knowing full well the influence and reach of her platform.
A Reputation Under Fire: What Musk Says Is Really at Stake
Musk’s lawsuit argues that these televised remarks created a false and harmful narrative about his personal beliefs and political affiliations. The complaint states:
“This was not a mere slip of the tongue but a calculated attack, broadcast knowingly to millions of viewers, framing Mr. Musk as a supporter of institutional racism and a threat to American democracy.”
The $70 million being sought isn’t just about perceived slander—Musk’s legal team says the damages reflect the economic ripple effect the statements may have caused across his vast business empire, which includes Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, X Corp, and more.
At 53, Musk is no stranger to controversy, but the lawsuit insists that his birth in apartheid-era South Africa does not equate to endorsement of that regime. He moved to Canada at 17, later becoming a naturalized American citizen, and has never publicly supported apartheid. His mother, Maye Musk, previously wrote on X that the family was forced to keep their opinions quiet in South Africa due to the threat of imprisonment for opposing the system.
The suit frames Behar’s remarks as a deliberate distortion of history, intended to mislead the public and damage Musk’s credibility.
Media Frenzy and Public Outcry: A Nation Divided Over the Lawsuit
The case has sparked a social media firestorm, particularly on X, where Musk enjoys a fiercely loyal following. Supporters have rallied under hashtags like #JusticeForElon and #SueTheView, calling Behar’s accusations “irresponsible, disgraceful, and dangerous.”
One popular X post reads:
“Joy Behar slandered Elon Musk with false political claims. If she can lie about him on national TV, who’s next? Hold them accountable.”
But the backlash hasn’t been one-sided. Critics of Musk argue that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence opinion, warning that it could have a chilling effect on free speech, especially in the world of political commentary and satire.
Legal scholars have noted that the case may boil down to whether Behar’s statements are protected as opinion under the First Amendment or whether they crossed into defamation by asserting unverifiable and damaging claims as fact.
What This Means for The View and Joy Behar
For Joy Behar, who has built a career on her unapologetic humor and sharp political takes, this is more than just another controversy. At 82 years old, she remains a central figure on The View, which has faced multiple backlash moments in the past. But this—a $70 million lawsuit from one of the richest and most powerful men on the planet—is a different kind of pressure.
While ABC has yet to release an official statement, sources close to the production say the show’s legal team is preparing a vigorous defense, potentially arguing that Behar’s later clarification on air weakens the defamation claim.
Still, legal experts caution that even if the case doesn’t result in financial damages, it could have long-term implications for how mainstream talk shows handle commentary about public figures, especially when political or racial history is invoked.
Elon Musk’s Media War: A Broader Fight for Narrative Control?
This isn’t Musk’s first battle with the media, nor will it likely be the last. From fighting off critical headlines to squaring off with journalists and influencers on X, Musk has made it clear that he sees misinformation as a personal enemy. This lawsuit, his team insists, is not about vengeance—it’s about truth, accountability, and setting a precedent in an era of unchecked commentary.
In the official filing, Musk is quoted as saying:
“They are lying about me—and I won’t let it stand.”
Whether the court sides with Musk or dismisses the case as a protected matter of opinion, the lawsuit itself already sends a powerful message: In an age where reputations can be shredded in seconds on live television, even billionaires are drawing lines in the sand.
The Verdict Ahead: What’s at Stake for Free Speech and Celebrity Reputation
As court proceedings are expected to begin in the coming weeks, this legal clash promises to be more than a routine defamation case—it could become a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between high-profile public figures, media commentary, and the boundaries of free expression.
Will Elon Musk’s fight to defend his reputation lead to a recalibration of what television personalities can say about public figures? Or will the lawsuit be viewed as an overreach by a powerful billionaire trying to muzzle dissent?
Either way, this high-stakes legal drama is far from over—and the eyes of the nation will be watching.
