“It’s terrifying to breathe the same air as him…” Joy Behar Boldly Criticizes Elon Musk and Unveils a Plan That Prompts an Immediate Response from the Billionaire.

In a fiery outburst on a recent episode of *The View*, co-host Joy Behar unleashed a scathing attack on Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. The comment that sparked widespread attention came during a heated discussion about Musk’s growing influence in both the tech world and American politics. Behar, known for her outspoken nature, did not hold back, declaring, “It’s terrifying to breathe the same air as him,” a statement that painted Musk as a figure so objectionable that his mere presence felt suffocating to her. The remarks didn’t stop there—Behar went on to label him a “pro-apartheid enemy of the state,” tying her critique to Musk’s South African roots and his vocal stances on various issues, including free speech and government oversight. However, what truly escalated the situation was Behar’s announcement of a supposed “plan” to counter Musk’s influence, a move that quickly drew a response from the polarizing billionaire himself.

The incident unfolded on February 27, 2025, when *The View* tackled Musk’s recent activities, including his vocal support for Donald Trump and his role in shaping public discourse through his ownership of X, the social media platform. Behar’s comments came amid a broader conversation about wealth, power, and accountability, topics that have increasingly placed Musk in the crosshairs of critics. She accused him of leveraging his vast fortune—estimated at over $421 billion as of early 2025—to undermine democratic values and push a controversial agenda. “This man has too much power,” Behar exclaimed, her voice rising with indignation. “He’s not just a businessman; he’s a puppet master pulling strings behind the scenes.” Her rhetoric painted Musk as a dangerous figure, one whose actions warranted not just scrutiny but active resistance.

What set this outburst apart from Behar’s usual commentary was her cryptic mention of a plan to “take him down a peg.” While she didn’t elaborate extensively on air, Behar hinted at mobilizing public sentiment against Musk, urging viewers to reject his influence and boycott his companies. “We need to stop feeding the beast,” she said, suggesting that collective action—perhaps targeting Tesla’s sales or X’s user base—could curb Musk’s dominance. The vagueness of her strategy left room for speculation, but it was enough to ignite a firestorm online and catch Musk’s attention. Within hours, posts on X began circulating her remarks, with some users cheering her boldness and others decrying her as out of touch.

True to form, Musk didn’t let the criticism slide. Known for his quick-witted and often combative responses on social media, the billionaire took to X later that day to address Behar directly. “Joy, I’m flattered you think of me so much, but I’m just trying to make the world better—one car, one rocket, one tweet at a time,” he wrote, injecting his signature blend of sarcasm and defiance. He followed up with a second post, dismissing her “enemy of the state” label as “absurd” and questioning her grasp of history. “Pro-apartheid? I left South Africa at 17. Maybe check your facts before the next rant,” he quipped. Musk’s retort was swift and pointed, turning Behar’s attack into a public sparring match that dominated headlines.

The exchange didn’t end with Musk’s rebuttal. Behar, perhaps sensing the legal or reputational risks of her inflammatory words, later walked back some of her harsher statements on air. “Don’t be suing me, Elon,” she said with a nervous laugh during a subsequent episode, acknowledging the potential fallout while still defending her core stance. “I stand by the sentiment—he’s got too much unchecked power—but maybe ‘enemy of the state’ was a bit much.” Her partial retraction did little to quell the controversy, as pundits and viewers debated whether her initial comments crossed a line or simply reflected a growing unease with Musk’s outsized role in modern society.

This clash highlights a broader cultural divide. Musk, a figure adored by some as a visionary innovator and reviled by others as an ego-driven disruptor, has become a lightning rod in an era of polarized politics and rapid technological change. Behar’s outburst tapped into a sentiment shared by many of his detractors: that his wealth and influence grant him a disproportionate say in matters ranging from climate policy to public discourse. Her plan, though vague, resonated with those who see Musk as a symbol of unchecked capitalism, even if it lacked the concrete steps needed to pose a real challenge.

For Musk, the episode was just another day in the spotlight. His response—equal parts dismissive and playful—underscored his knack for turning criticism into a platform for self-promotion. Yet, Behar’s words, however hyperbolic, struck a nerve, prompting a rare moment of direct engagement from a man who typically shrugs off detractors. As of April 4, 2025, the dust has yet to settle, with X still buzzing about the feud. Whether Behar’s “plan” amounts to anything more than rhetoric remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the court of public opinion, neither side is backing down. The air between them may indeed feel toxic, but it’s a tension that’s unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.