Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has filed a high-profile defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar and the producers of ABC’s The View, seeking $70 million in damages for what he claims were “false and damaging” statements made about him on the show. The legal action, filed on April 10, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, stems from a heated segment that aired on March 20, 2025, during which Behar, a longtime co-host, made controversial remarks about Musk’s business practices and personal life, prompting a swift and aggressive response from the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.
The incident occurred during a discussion on The View about Musk’s recent comments on X, where he criticized government regulations impacting Tesla’s autonomous vehicle development. Behar, 82, took aim at Musk, alleging that he had “manipulated Tesla’s stock price through deceptive practices” and called him “a danger to society who prioritizes profits over people’s safety.” She also made personal jabs, claiming Musk’s “erratic behavior” was due to “questionable personal choices” and hinted at unverified rumors about his private life. The comments, which were not substantiated with evidence, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views across social media platforms.
Musk’s lawsuit alleges that Behar’s statements were “maliciously false” and caused significant harm to his reputation and businesses. The filing claims that Tesla’s stock price dropped 3% in the 48 hours following the broadcast, resulting in a $15 billion loss in market value, which Musk attributes directly to the remarks. Additionally, the suit argues that Behar’s comments damaged Musk’s standing with investors and partners, particularly as SpaceX prepares for a critical lunar mission in late 2025. “The defendants’ reckless and defamatory statements were made with actual malice, knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth,” the lawsuit states, seeking $70 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Musk, 53, addressed the lawsuit on X, where he has 208 million followers, writing, “I’m not here to be slandered on national TV. Joy Behar and The View crossed a line, and they’ll face the consequences. Truth matters.” The post garnered over 1.5 million likes, with many fans rallying behind Musk, though others questioned whether the lawsuit was an overreach. “Elon’s got every right to sue—those claims were wild,” one user commented. Another countered, “This feels like a billionaire trying to silence free speech.”
Behar and The View have not issued an official statement, but sources close to the show told Variety that the team is preparing a robust defense, arguing that Behar’s comments were protected speech under the First Amendment and based on publicly available information about Musk’s controversial business decisions. The show’s producers are also reportedly considering a countersuit, claiming Musk’s legal action is an attempt to intimidate the media. Behar, known for her outspoken views, has faced backlash in the past but has never been sued for defamation on this scale.
Legal experts are divided on the case’s outcome. “Musk will need to prove actual malice, which is a high bar in defamation cases, especially for a public figure,” said Sarah Klein, a media law professor at UCLA. “But if he can show tangible financial harm directly tied to the statements, he might have a shot.” Others note that the $70 million figure may be a strategic move to pressure The View into a settlement.
The lawsuit adds another chapter to Musk’s contentious relationship with the media, following previous disputes with outlets like CNN and The New York Times. As the legal battle unfolds, it raises broader questions about the line between free speech and defamation in the age of viral media. For now, all eyes are on Musk, Behar, and The View as this high-stakes showdown heads to court.
