Los Angeles, CA – In a stunning legal escalation, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has filed a defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar, co-host of ABC’s daytime talk show The View, and the show’s producers, seeking $70 million in damages. The lawsuit, lodged in a California court on March 20, 2025, accuses Behar and the program of making “false and malicious” statements about Musk that allegedly tarnished his reputation and caused significant personal and professional harm. This high-stakes legal battle marks a dramatic clash between one of the world’s most prominent innovators and a fixture of American television, spotlighting the contentious intersection of free speech, media accountability, and public personas.

The lawsuit stems from comments Behar made during a recent episode of The View, where she labeled Musk as “pro-apartheid” and an “enemy of the United States” while discussing his growing influence in political and economic spheres. Behar’s remarks, delivered during a heated segment about Musk’s relationship with President Donald Trump, suggested that his South African upbringing during apartheid shaped a problematic worldview. “He was born under apartheid in South Africa, so he has that mentality going on—he was pro-apartheid, as I understand it,” Behar stated, according to the legal filing. Musk’s attorneys argue that these claims are baseless, inflammatory, and intended to smear his character, pointing out that Behar later backtracked on air, admitting, “I don’t really know for sure if he was,” before jokingly adding, “So don’t be suing me, okay, Elon?”

That plea, however, appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Musk’s legal team asserts that Behar’s initial statements were not only reckless but also carried a “malicious intent” to damage his reputation, given her platform’s wide reach and influence. The $70 million figure, they argue, reflects the scale of harm inflicted on Musk’s public image and the potential ripple effects on his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X Corp. “Ms. Behar and The View knowingly broadcast falsehoods to millions of viewers, portraying Mr. Musk as a supporter of a racist regime and a threat to American values—accusations that are demonstrably untrue,” the lawsuit reads. “This was not a mere slip of the tongue but a calculated attack.”
Musk, 53, was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, during the apartheid era, a system of racial segregation that lasted until the early 1990s. He left the country at 17 to attend university in Canada and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. While Musk has occasionally spoken about his childhood, he has never publicly endorsed apartheid, and his family has refuted claims tying him to its ideology. His mother, Maye Musk, once wrote on X that opposing apartheid publicly in South Africa at the time could lead to imprisonment, suggesting the family navigated a complex environment rather than supported it. Musk’s legal filing cites this context, arguing that Behar’s comments ignored historical nuance and fabricated a narrative for sensational effect. 

The lawsuit has ignited a firestorm of reactions. Supporters of Musk, particularly on X, have rallied behind him, with posts calling Behar’s remarks “disgraceful” and urging him to “hold the media accountable.” Critics, meanwhile, see the suit as an attempt to silence free expression. “Joy Behar was giving an opinion, not stating a legal fact—suing over this is absurd,” one X user posted. Legal experts suggest the case could hinge on whether Behar’s statements qualify as protected opinion under U.S. law or cross into defamation by presenting unverifiable assertions as truth.

For Behar and The View, the stakes are high. Known for her sharp tongue and unapologetic commentary, the 82-year-old comedian has weathered controversies before, but a $70 million lawsuit from one of the world’s richest men is a new frontier. Neither Behar nor ABC has issued an official response, though sources close to the show say producers are preparing a vigorous defense, potentially arguing that her on-air retraction mitigates any damage. Still, a loss could set a precedent, chilling outspoken commentary on public figures.