An unexpected on-air confrontation between The View co-host Joy Behar and tech billionaire Elon Musk sparked controversy over historical allegations.
According to the Daily Mail, Behar issued a live retraction after claiming the South African-born Tesla CEO was "pro-apartheid" during a heated discussion about his relationship with former President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred during Thursday's episode when Behar criticized Musk's foreign background and alleged political affiliations. She initially called him a "foreigner" and "foreign agent" while discussing his South African origins, then made the controversial apartheid statement that would later require correction.
Behar's initial comments targeted Musk's nationality and upbringing in South Africa. During her criticism of Musk's connection to Trump, she emphasized his non-American birth and suggested this influenced his current actions.
The View co-host went further by suggesting Musk supported the apartheid regime, a claim she would later acknowledge was made without supporting evidence. Her comments drew immediate attention and criticism from viewers and social media users.
Viewers noticed the loaded nature of Behar's statements, particularly her emphasis on Musk's foreign status during a time of heightened political discourse. The combination of accusations about his nationality and alleged apartheid support created a perfect storm of controversy.
Social media erupted with criticism of Behar's statement retraction, with many viewing it as insufficient. Users on X (formerly Twitter) characterized her follow-up comments as a "non-apology" designed to avoid legal consequences.
Behar's subsequent statement, as shared by one viewer, revealed her concern about potential legal action. After the commercial break, she addressed her earlier claims with noticeable caution. During her retraction, Behar said:
Now I'm getting some flack because I said that Musk was pro-apartheid. I don't really know for sure if he was. He grew up at that time when apartheid was in full bloom, before the great Nelson Mandela fixed that. He was around at that time, but maybe he was, maybe he wasn't - he might have been a young guy, too. So, don't be suing me, okay Elon?
This incident follows earlier controversies involving The View's hosts and Musk. Just weeks before, Behar and co-host Whoopi Goldberg had drawn criticism for mocking Musk's four-year-old son's name during a discussion about his Oval Office appearance.
The show's hosts have maintained a contentious relationship with Musk, often criticizing his business decisions and political statements. Their comments about his son's name highlighted the personal nature of their criticism. These recurring conflicts have contributed to an increasingly strained relationship between the daytime talk show hosts and the tech entrepreneur.
The retraction episode highlighted ongoing tensions between media personalities and high-profile tech figures. Behar's swift withdrawal of her apartheid claims demonstrated the legal risks associated with making unsubstantiated historical allegations.
The incident occurred amid broader discussions about Musk's role in American politics and his relationship with former President Trump. These conversations often intersect with questions about his background and influence on public discourse. Furthermore, the controversy sparked debates about journalistic responsibility and the impact of making serious allegations without proper verification.
Joy Behar's controversial comments about Elon Musk's alleged pro-apartheid stance on The View led to an immediate retraction following a commercial break. The incident occurred during a broader discussion about Musk's relationship with Donald Trump, where Behar questioned his foreign background and influence on American politics. The controversy adds to existing tensions between The View hosts and Musk, following recent criticism of his son and various business decisions. The incident highlights the complex intersection of media commentary, political discourse, and the need for factual accuracy in public statements.
