Tech billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against comedian and talk show host Joy Behar, along with ABC’s daytime talk show The View, seeking $70 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Behar made false and damaging statements about Musk during a recent episode, leading to reputational harm and financial losses.
According to legal documents, Musk’s lawsuit centers on comments Behar made during a panel discussion, in which she allegedly accused him of unethical business practices, spreading misinformation, and being unfit to run his companies.
The lawsuit claims that her statements were not only misleading but also “knowingly false,” designed to damage Musk’s reputation and influence public perception of him.
“Elon Musk has built a career on innovation and leadership in technology, space exploration, and artificial intelligence,” a legal representative for Musk stated. “These baseless attacks by Ms. Behar and The View are defamatory, and we intend to hold them accountable.”
The lawsuit further accuses The View of fostering a hostile environment toward Musk and failing to fact-check claims before airing them to millions of viewers. It argues that the remarks have already led to tangible harm, including damage to Musk’s business ventures and public image.
Musk, known for his outspoken nature on social media, addressed the controversy in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), where he called out Behar and The View for what he described as “reckless disregard for the truth.”
“They think they can say whatever they want without consequences,” Musk wrote. “Time to show them otherwise.”
In another post, he added, “Spreading false information is dangerous. Holding people accountable is the only way to stop it.”
His followers quickly rallied behind him, with many calling for a boycott of The View and urging ABC to issue a public apology. Some supporters even suggested that Musk take further action against other media figures who have criticized him in the past.
Behar and The View have not officially commented on the lawsuit, but sources close to the show say they are preparing a legal defense. ABC executives are reportedly reviewing footage of the episode in question and consulting legal experts to determine their next steps.
Some legal analysts believe Behar and The View may argue that her comments were opinion-based rather than statements of fact, which could offer some level of protection under free speech laws. However, if Musk can prove that the remarks were knowingly false and damaging, the case could move forward with significant consequences.
The lawsuit has sparked a heated debate about free speech, media accountability, and defamation laws. Critics argue that Musk, as a public figure, should expect scrutiny and criticism, while supporters believe he has the right to defend himself against falsehoods.
“This is about holding media figures responsible,” one Musk supporter posted. “They can’t just spread lies and expect to get away with it.”
Others, however, see the lawsuit as an attempt to silence critics.
“Elon Musk is one of the richest and most powerful people on the planet,” a media analyst commented. “Going after a talk show host for her opinion sets a dangerous precedent.”
Legal experts predict a lengthy battle ahead, with both sides likely to dig in and fight over the definitions of defamation and free speech. If the case goes to trial, it could set a precedent for how high-profile individuals combat negative media coverage in the future.
For now, Musk appears determined to see this lawsuit through. Whether he succeeds or not, the case is already making waves, putting The View and the broader media industry under intense scrutiny.
