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?”
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