On March 15, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded on ABC’s popular daytime talk show “The View,” sparking outrage across social media and drawing a furious response from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. During a segment that aired live, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar made comments about Musk’s four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, that many viewers deemed cruel and inappropriate. The remarks, which centered on the child’s unique name, were met with laughter from the studio audience, but the backlash was swift and severe. Musk, known for his outspoken presence on X, demanded an immediate apology from the show and its hosts. However, instead of contrition, the response from “The View” and its network has so far been silence—or worse, defiance—leaving the controversy to escalate further.
The incident began innocently enough, with the panel discussing Musk’s recent public appearances alongside President Donald Trump. As the conversation shifted to Musk’s personal life, Goldberg mentioned that he had brought his son, whom she referred to simply as “X,” to a White House press conference. “Yeah, so yesterday Elon Musk took his son X to a press conference,” she said, pausing as Behar interjected with a surprised, “X?” Goldberg, whose real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson, quipped, “I did not name the child,” prompting chuckles from the audience. Behar then doubled down, asking, “That’s the kid’s name?” before sarcastically adding, “And little Instagram,” despite co-host Sara Haines correcting her that Musk does not own Instagram. Goldberg continued, “He just took Lil X with him,” emphasizing the nickname in a tone that many interpreted as mocking.
What might have been intended as lighthearted banter quickly spiraled into a firestorm. X Æ A-Xii, born in May 2020 to Musk and his partner Grimes, has a name that’s famously unconventional—pronounced “Ex Ash A Twelve”—and has long been a subject of curiosity. But targeting a four-year-old child on national television struck a nerve with viewers, particularly given the age disparity between the toddler and the veteran hosts, with Goldberg nearing 70 and Behar at 82. Posts on X erupted with criticism, accusing the hosts of bullying and hypocrisy. One user wrote, “How pathetic can you be to pick on a four-year-old child? It’s disheartening to see Whoopi Goldberg and the other hosts on The View mocking Elon Musk’s adorable son, X.” Another pointed out the irony: “Whoopi, who changed her own name, mocking a kid’s name on live TV? The lack of self-awareness is staggering.”
Musk, who has a massive following on the platform he owns, wasted no time responding. Within hours of the broadcast, he posted, “Mocking a child on live TV is a new low, even for ‘The View.’ Whoopi and Joy owe my son an apology—immediately.” His demand was met with support from his fans, who flooded the platform with hashtags like #ApologizeToX and #BoycottTheView. Some even called for legal action, with one user speculating, “Behar begged Musk not to sue her after this—wonder if he’ll follow through.” However, rather than issuing the apology Musk sought, “The View” and ABC have remained conspicuously silent as of March 16, 2025. Insiders suggest the network may be doubling down, with sources claiming the hosts stand by their comments as “just humor” and see no need to backtrack.
This isn’t the first time “The View” has clashed with Musk. The show has frequently criticized his political involvement, especially his close ties to Trump and his role in the controversial DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative. Just weeks ago, Goldberg theorized on air that Musk was acting as a “shadow president,” a claim that drew his ire and a sarcastic retort on X: “I love that trick. Works every time.” But this latest incident takes the feud to a personal level, dragging an innocent child into the fray. Critics argue it’s a step too far, even for a show known for its provocative takes. “Grown adults picking on a kid over something he can’t control is disgusting,” one X user fumed. “The View needs to be canceled yesterday.”
The lack of an apology has only fueled the controversy. Musk, never one to shy away from a fight, escalated his response late on March 15, posting, “No apology, no surprise. They’d rather defend their egos than admit they crossed a line. Pathetic.” His followers have since amplified calls for a boycott, urging advertisers to pull funding from the show. Meanwhile, some speculate this could lead to legal repercussions, though no evidence of a lawsuit has surfaced as of now—a claim previously debunked in 2024 when satirical sites falsely reported Musk suing Goldberg for $70 million.
