In a surprising turn of events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk revealed that actor Alec Baldwin recently called him to apologize for a controversial comment made during an appearance on The View.
Baldwin, who had referred to Musk as a "scoundrel" during a heated discussion on the daytime talk show, reportedly spent 13 minutes on the phone expressing his regret and seeking to mend fences. Musk’s response, as described by those close to the situation, was both unexpected and unforgettable.
During his guest appearance on The View, Baldwin was discussing issues related to billionaires, power dynamics, and social responsibility when he made the offhand comment about Musk. “People like Elon Musk, these so-called innovators, they’re nothing but scoundrels in fancy suits,” Baldwin said.
The remark drew mixed reactions from the panel and the audience, with some laughing along while others seemed visibly uncomfortable.
Baldwin’s words quickly made headlines, and fans of Musk were quick to defend the Tesla and SpaceX CEO on social media. Critics, however, agreed with Baldwin’s take, further fueling an already polarized discourse around Musk’s influence in tech and society.
Days after the incident, Musk revealed that Baldwin had reached out to him directly to apologize for his comment. According to Musk, the phone call lasted 13 minutes, during which Baldwin expressed deep regret for his words.
“Alec called me out of the blue,” Musk said. “I was honestly surprised to hear from him. He said he felt bad about the way his comment came across and wanted to set the record straight. He admitted he was trying to be funny but realized later it was in poor taste.”
Baldwin reportedly explained that his remark wasn’t meant to be taken seriously and that he respects Musk’s accomplishments. “He told me he’s actually a fan of Tesla and SpaceX and appreciates what we’re doing for the future,” Musk added.
What happened next was what truly stunned those who learned of the exchange. Rather than holding a grudge or chastising Baldwin, Musk responded with humor and grace.
“I told Alec, ‘Well, I’ve been called worse things—scoundrel is practically a compliment compared to some of the names I’ve heard,’” Musk joked. He went on to assure Baldwin that he wasn’t offended by the comment and appreciated the effort to apologize.
Musk even took the opportunity to invite Baldwin to tour one of his companies. “I said, ‘Why don’t you come by a Tesla factory or a SpaceX launch site sometime? I think you’ll see that we’re not just fancy-suited scoundrels—we’re trying to change the world.’”
While it’s unclear if Baldwin will take Musk up on his offer, the interaction appears to have cleared the air between the two public figures. Musk’s lighthearted and forgiving attitude earned him praise from fans, who saw it as an example of his ability to rise above criticism.
On social media, Musk addressed the situation with his usual wit. “Turns out scoundrels have a lot of fun. Thanks for the call, Alec—let’s make electric cars in Hollywood next,” Musk tweeted, sparking speculation about a potential collaboration.
Baldwin has yet to publicly comment on the phone call, but sources close to the actor say he was relieved by Musk’s graciousness. “Alec knows he sometimes speaks without thinking, but he genuinely admires Musk and felt terrible about the whole thing,” the source said.
The revelation of the apology call has ignited a fresh wave of debate on social media. Supporters of Musk applauded his ability to handle criticism with class, while others questioned Baldwin’s motivations. “Was this genuine, or is Alec just doing damage control?” one Twitter user asked.
Others were amused by the bizarre pairing of Musk and Baldwin in the headlines. “This is the crossover I didn’t know I needed—Musk and Baldwin hashing it out over a 13-minute phone call,” joked another user.
Whether this incident marks the beginning of a friendly relationship between Musk and Baldwin remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that Musk’s response has left a lasting impression. By choosing forgiveness and humor, he managed to defuse a potentially tense situation and turn it into an opportunity for connection.
For now, Musk continues to focus on his ventures in electric vehicles, space exploration, and AI, while Baldwin navigates his own projects in Hollywood. If nothing else, their exchange serves as a reminder that even in the most unlikely of circumstances, a simple phone call can make all the difference.
