In a move that has once again thrust him into the center of a media firestorm, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has called for a boycott of the popular daytime talk show The View. Musk’s provocative statement, posted on X on March 22, 2025, described the show as a “haunting place for ignorant women,” igniting a swift and fiery backlash from its co-hosts. The ensuing clash has reignited debates about Musk’s outspoken nature, the role of free speech, and the cultural divide in American media.
Musk’s comment came seemingly out of the blue, though it aligns with his history of targeting institutions and personalities he perceives as out of touch. “Time to boycott The View,” he wrote. “It’s a haunting place for ignorant women who peddle nonsense daily. Watch something that respects facts instead.” The post, which quickly amassed millions of views, didn’t specify what prompted his ire, leaving fans and critics alike to speculate. Some pointed to recent episodes where the co-hosts discussed topics like wealth inequality or climate change—subjects Musk has famously weighed in on—while others saw it as just another salvo in his ongoing war against mainstream media.
The response from The View’s cast was immediate and unapologetic. During the following day’s broadcast, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Ana Navarro addressed Musk’s remarks head-on, dedicating a fiery segment to the controversy. “If Elon Musk thinks he can bully us off the air with his little tweets, he’s got another thing coming,” Behar declared, drawing cheers from the studio audience. “This show has been here for 28 years, and we’re not going anywhere.” Goldberg, meanwhile, took a more measured tone, questioning Musk’s motives: “What’s haunting is a man with that much power trying to silence women who don’t agree with him.”
Hostin didn’t mince words, calling Musk’s statement “misogynistic” and “a cheap shot at women who dare to speak their minds.” Navarro, a vocal political commentator, suggested Musk’s boycott call was less about The View and more about flexing his influence: “He’s mad because he can’t control the narrative here like he does on X.” Haines rounded out the rebuttal by defending the show’s diversity of thought, noting, “We’re not perfect, but we’re not ignorant. Maybe Elon should come on and debate us instead of hiding behind his keyboard.”
The clash has polarized fans online. Musk’s supporters rallied behind him, with some echoing his sentiment that The View prioritizes opinion over substance. “Finally, someone said it,” one X user wrote. “That show’s a circus, not a conversation.” Others, however, accused Musk of hypocrisy, pointing out his own history of controversial statements. “Elon calls them ignorant but spends half his time tweeting conspiracy theories,” another user quipped. The feud even sparked memes, with one viral image showing Musk as a ghost haunting the The View set.
This isn’t Musk’s first tangle with pop culture figures. From sparring with politicians to mocking late-night hosts, he’s built a reputation as a provocateur who thrives on disruption. His call to boycott The View—a show averaging over 2 million daily viewers—seems unlikely to dent its ratings, but it has amplified his influence among his base. Meanwhile, the co-hosts’ united front has only solidified their resolve, with Behar teasing, “Thanks for the free publicity, Elon.”
As of now, Musk hasn’t responded to the cast’s retorts, leaving the ball in his court. Whether this escalates into a prolonged feud or fades into the noise of his next headline remains to be seen. For now, the showdown between Musk and The View is a stark reminder of the cultural fault lines he loves to prod—and the fierce pushback he invites in return.
