Just moments ago—or so the internet claims—billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk unleashed a legal thunderbolt, reportedly filing a $70 million defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar, co-host of ABC’s The View, and the show’s producers. The alleged suit, which exploded across social media platforms like X on May 6, 2025, accuses Behar of making inflammatory remarks that smeared Musk’s reputation, sparking a firestorm of debates, memes, and polarized reactions. While the story’s origins are murky, tied to unverified sources and sensational headlines, its rapid spread reflects America’s fascination with celebrity feuds, political divides, and the power of media. Is Musk really suing The View, or is this another viral rumor gone wild? Here’s the full story behind the alleged lawsuit, its cultural impact, and why it’s got everyone buzzing.

The rumor kicked off with a flurry of posts claiming Musk lodged the lawsuit in a California court on March 20, 2025, targeting Behar for comments made during a February 2025 episode of The View. According to these reports, Behar accused Musk of supporting apartheid during his childhood in South Africa, a claim she later retracted on air, saying, “I don’t really know for sure if he was,” and jokingly pleading, “So don’t be suing me, okay, Elon?” The retraction came after Behar’s initial remarks drew backlash, with critics arguing she had no evidence to link Musk, born in 1971 in Pretoria, to pro-apartheid views. Musk’s legal team, per the rumor, alleges that Behar’s statements were reckless, malicious, and designed to tarnish his image, given The View’s massive audience and influence. The $70 million figure—eye-popping even for a billionaire—has fueled speculation about the case’s stakes.

The context of Behar’s comments is critical. On the February 27, 2025, episode, The View discussed Musk’s role as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump’s second term. Behar, a vocal critic of Trump and his allies, described Musk as a “foreign agent” and “enemy of the state,” tying his South African upbringing to apartheid’s racial segregation policies, which lasted from 1948 to the early 1990s. Her co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin pushed back, arguing it was unfair to label Musk as pro-apartheid without proof, while the audience laughed nervously. After a commercial break, Behar walked back her claim, admitting she lacked evidence and noting Musk was young during apartheid’s peak. The retraction, however, didn’t quell the controversy, as X users and conservative commentators accused her of defamation, with some urging Musk to sue.

The lawsuit rumor gained traction due to Musk’s history of legal battles and Behar’s knack for stirring the pot. Musk, no stranger to courtroom drama, has sued OpenAI, Media Matters, and others over reputational disputes, often framing himself as a defender against “woke” media. Behar, an 82-year-old comedian and The View veteran, is known for provocative jabs, from mocking Musk’s son X Æ A-Xii’s name to joking about Trump boarding a SpaceX rocket post-explosion. Her February comments about Musk fit a pattern of The View targeting the billionaire, including Sunny Hostin’s critiques of his political influence and Whoopi Goldberg’s quips about his DOGE role. The show’s liberal-leaning audience clashes with Musk’s growing conservative alignment, making a defamation suit seem plausible.

But here’s the catch: the lawsuit’s legitimacy is questionable. The story stems from sources like americanfreshnews.com, which reported the $70 million suit on March 29, 2025, but lacks mainstream corroboration. Snopes.com, a fact-checking site, debunked similar claims, noting that rumors of Musk suing The View or its hosts (e.g., Whoopi Goldberg for $80 million) are often satirical or fabricated. No major outlet—CNN, Fox News, or The New York Times—has confirmed the lawsuit, and neither Musk nor Behar has addressed it on X or elsewhere. Musk’s recent posts focus on SpaceX launches and DOGE updates, while Behar’s activity centers on The View’s upcoming segments. The absence of court filings or ABC statements suggests this may be another internet-fueled myth, akin to debunked rumors about Melania Trump suing The View or Joy Behar’s “arrest” for defamation.

Why, then, has the rumor exploded? First, it taps into Musk’s larger-than-life persona. As Tesla CEO, X owner, and Trump’s DOGE czar, he’s a polarizing figure—lionized by conservatives for slashing government waste, vilified by liberals for his rightward shift. His $20 million failure to sway a Wisconsin Supreme Court election, mocked by Behar on April 2, 2025, as proof “inflation’s out of control,” heightened tensions. Second, The View is a lightning rod for controversy, with its hosts’ outspoken views sparking regular backlash. Behar’s apartheid remark, even if retracted, fits a narrative of liberal media smearing conservative icons, making a Musk lawsuit a cathartic fantasy for his supporters. Third, the $70 million figure—though unverified—adds a blockbuster element, fueling clicks and shares.

Public reaction mirrors this divide. On X, where #MuskVsView and #JoyBeharLawsuit trended with 2 million impressions, conservatives cheered the alleged suit. “Joy Behar’s lies finally caught up with her. Elon’s not messing around!” one user posted, echoing sentiments from Meghan McCain, who quipped she’d join DOGE if Musk sued. Another wrote, “$70M is pocket change for Elon, but it’ll teach The View a lesson.” Liberal fans defended Behar, arguing her comments were protected opinion. “Joy was joking, and she apologized. This is Musk bullying free speech,” an Instagram user wrote. Memes proliferated, from images of Musk as a courtroom avenger to Behar dodging a “lawsuit rocket.” The split reflects broader debates over defamation law, where public figures must prove “actual malice” to win—a high bar Behar’s retraction may weaken.

The rumor also raises questions about media accountability. Behar’s initial claim lacked evidence, and her half-hearted apology—joking “don’t sue me”—did little to calm critics. The View has faced similar issues, with Sunny Hostin reading legal notices for past remarks about Matt Gaetz. Musk’s legal team, if the suit is real, would argue Behar’s platform amplified the harm, citing her 1.5 million viewers. Yet, legal experts note that defamation cases hinge on proving falsity and intent, and Behar’s on-air clarification could shield her. A loss for The View might chill commentary, while a Musk victory could embolden lawsuits against media critics.

The cultural backdrop amplifies the story. Musk’s DOGE role, slashing federal programs, has made him a hero to conservatives and a villain to progressives, who fear his access to IRS and Social Security data. The View’s liberal bent clashes with this, making Behar’s comments a flashpoint. The rumor’s timing—post-Wisconsin election, amid Musk’s tariff defense—adds fuel, as does The View’s history of retracting claims to avoid litigation. Whether real or not, the lawsuit narrative fits a nation hungry for drama that mirrors its fractures.

What’s the truth? Without court documents or statements from Musk, Behar, or ABC, the $70 million suit remains unverified, likely a sensational rumor spread by low-credibility sites. If true, it’d mark a bold move by Musk to silence critics, with Behar’s retraction as a weak defense. For now, skepticism is key—check primary sources, not YouTube clickbait. The story’s real power lies in its reflection of 2025’s media landscape, where unverified claims fuel division. As one X user put it, “Musk suing Joy? Maybe fake, but it’s the feud we deserve.” In a polarized age, that’s why this rumor won’t fade quietly.