In an explosive live TV moment, The View co-host Sunny Hostin left the audience and her fellow panelists stunned when she unleashed a verbal attack on billionaire Elon Musk, calling him a “b@stard” on-air. The unexpected outburst sent shockwaves through the studio, immediately forcing co-host Joy Behar to step in with a public apology.
What made the situation even more jaw-dropping? Musk’s reaction, which left everyone—including the audience—completely speechless.
The fiery exchange happened during a heated discussion about Musk’s influence on tech, politics, and free speech. The The View panel had been debating the role of billionaires in shaping public discourse when Hostin suddenly took things to another level.
"Elon Musk is a complete b@stard," Hostin declared mid-conversation, sending audible gasps through the studio. The usually composed co-host didn’t hold back, continuing, “He thinks he can say whatever he wants, do whatever he wants, and no one’s going to hold him accountable.”
Her words seemed to catch everyone off guard—especially her co-hosts. Whoopi Goldberg momentarily froze, Behar’s eyes widened in disbelief, and Sara Haines shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
The audience, usually vocal, was momentarily silent before murmurs broke out.
As expected, Musk was quick to respond—but what he said left everyone in shock. Within minutes, he fired back on X (formerly Twitter), posting:
"Wow, someone’s got issues. Should I send her a Tesla to calm down?"
The sarcastic clapback immediately went viral, fueling an even bigger storm online. Supporters of Musk praised his response, while critics accused him of dismissing valid concerns about his influence.
Back in the The View studio, the tension was thick. Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Joy Behar stepped in, quickly apologizing on behalf of the show.
"We do not condone personal attacks," Behar stated firmly. "We can criticize policies and actions, but we don’t attack people like that."
However, Hostin didn’t back down. When Behar attempted to shift the conversation, Hostin doubled down, saying:
"I stand by what I said. You don’t get to be that rich and that powerful without stepping on people. If that makes me unpopular, so be it."
The internet exploded in response to the showdown, with reactions split between those defending Hostin and those siding with Musk.
- "Sunny Hostin just said what we were all thinking! Billionaires like Musk have too much control, and she called it out."
- "Calling someone a b@stard on live TV? That’s unprofessional. The View needs to get a grip."
- "Musk’s response was perfect. Maybe Sunny should drive a Tesla before throwing insults."
- "Did Joy Behar just APOLOGIZE to Elon Musk? Seriously??"
Even high-profile figures jumped into the debate, with some calling for Hostin to apologize, while others praised her for speaking her mind.
With tensions now at an all-time high, the big question is—will Hostin face any consequences? Will ABC force her to issue an apology, or will The View stand behind her words?
Meanwhile, Musk seems to be enjoying the chaos, dropping more sarcastic tweets and fueling speculation that he may respond even more directly in the coming days.
One thing is for sure—this fiery clash isn’t over yet.
