In a legal twist that’s sending shockwaves through the worlds of media and tech, Elon Musk has reportedly filed a $70 million defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar and the ABC talk show The View. According to sources close to the situation, Musk’s legal team is accusing Behar and the program’s producers of “sustained and malicious character attacks” that they claim have harmed both Musk’s reputation and several of his ventures, including Tesla and X (formerly Twitter).
The lawsuit, filed in a California court, centers around a recent segment aired on The View in which Behar and co-hosts allegedly made “false, reckless, and inflammatory claims” about Musk’s handling of content moderation on X, his political affiliations, and what they described as his “dangerous influence” on public discourse. Musk’s lawyers argue that the statements were not only factually incorrect but also delivered in a way that suggested personal malice, turning a news discussion into what the complaint calls a “coordinated smear campaign.”
The legal filing references at least three episodes aired between March and May 2025 in which Behar allegedly made repeated claims suggesting Musk “knowingly enables hate speech” on X and “profits off of extremist content.” One particularly contentious exchange reportedly included Behar comparing Musk’s management style to “dictatorial propaganda machines,” a remark that, according to Musk’s legal team, crossed the line from opinion into outright defamation.
While criticism of public figures is protected under the First Amendment, Musk’s attorneys insist that The View’s content in this case was “knowingly false” and presented with “actual malice” — the key legal threshold for public figures seeking to win defamation claims in the U.S.
Neither Behar nor ABC has issued a formal statement regarding the lawsuit as of this writing. However, a source close to the show dismissed Musk’s legal threats as “bizarre” and “clearly an intimidation tactic to silence journalistic critique.” Still, behind the scenes, insiders suggest the ABC legal department has gone into overdrive, scrambling to review recent episodes and prepare a response.
Musk, never one to shy away from public confrontation, appeared to hint at the lawsuit last week on X. In a cryptic post, he wrote, “Media that lies with intent should be held accountable. It’s not free speech when it’s slander,” followed by a fire emoji and the hashtag #AccountabilityMatters. At the time, many dismissed the comment as another one of Musk’s social media outbursts, but it now appears to have been a prelude to something much bigger.
The legal action is already polarizing the public. Supporters of Musk are praising the move as a long-overdue stand against what they view as biased, agenda-driven media. “It’s about time someone pushed back,” one user posted on X. “Joy Behar has been spewing hate without consequences for years.” On the other side, critics argue that the billionaire is weaponizing the courts to silence dissent and that this could have chilling implications for freedom of the press. One progressive commentator warned, “If Elon Musk wins this, it sets a terrifying precedent. Billionaires suing TV hosts because they don’t like the jokes? Dangerous territory.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has taken issue with the media. He’s previously clashed with outlets like The New York Times, CNBC, and Reuters, often accusing them of misrepresenting his views or deliberately painting him in a negative light. But this lawsuit — filed against a daytime talk show and one of its most vocal panelists — marks an unprecedented escalation.
Observers also point out that Musk’s legal team appears unusually confident. The complaint reportedly includes transcripts, video evidence, and even private emails obtained through discovery requests — indicating that Musk may be prepared to go the distance rather than quietly settling.
The timing is especially notable. With Tesla under pressure from investors, SpaceX facing scrutiny over its Pentagon contracts, and X still embroiled in controversies over disinformation and censorship, some speculate the lawsuit is as much about reputation management as it is about legal redress. By targeting The View, Musk may be hoping to shift the narrative — portraying himself not as a destabilizing tech mogul, but as a victim of liberal media bias.
For now, the public awaits the next move. Will ABC mount a fierce defense of its flagship daytime show, or will a settlement be quietly reached behind closed doors? Will Joy Behar double down on her remarks, or opt for legal retreat?
One thing is clear: Elon Musk is once again at the center of a storm — and this time, it’s playing out not in Silicon Valley or on Wall Street, but in the courtroom.
