Elon Musk Sparks Controversy by Calling for Boycott of ‘The View’; Cast Responds Forcefully

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), has once again found himself embroiled in a media storm.

In a recent outburst on social media, Musk targeted the long-running talk show The View, referring to it as “a meeting place for ignorant women” and calling for his followers to boycott the show. His comments quickly ignited a firestorm of backlash, with the show’s hosts responding sharply, making the controversy one of the biggest media events of the week.

Musk’s Provocative Statement

The controversy started when Musk, known for his blunt and unfiltered tweets, reacted to a segment on The View in which the panel criticized his leadership at X. Taking to his platform, Musk didn’t hold back:

“Why does anyone watch The View? It’s just a meeting place for ignorant women. Time to boycott.”

His tweet quickly went viral, attracting both support and fierce criticism from social media users. Musk’s loyal followers cheered the call for action, while many others condemned the billionaire for what they saw as a misogynistic and dismissive comment.

The View’s Hosts Hit Back

It didn’t take long for The View’s co-hosts to respond. On the very next live broadcast, the entire panel—including Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Sara Haines—dedicated a segment to Musk’s remarks.

Whoopi Goldberg, known for her direct and fearless commentary, addressed Musk personally:

“Elon, honey, you’ve got a lot of money, but you don’t have a lot of class. If you don’t like what we say, don’t watch. But don’t try to silence us because we call you out.”

Joy Behar, never one to shy away from confrontation, added:

“This is the guy who thinks he’s the smartest person in the world, yet he can’t handle a few women discussing his behavior? Give me a break.”

Sunny Hostin took a more analytical approach, noting a recurring theme in Musk’s behavior:

“Time and time again, we’ve seen Elon Musk react negatively when women—especially strong, opinionated women—challenge him. This is nothing new.”

Public Reaction: Split and Intense

The response to Musk’s tweet and The View’s counterattack was explosive. Social media was flooded with hashtags like #BoycottTheView and #IStandWithTheView, highlighting the deeply divided nature of the debate.

Musk’s Supporters Rally Behind Him

Musk’s fans, along with several prominent figures, defended his position, suggesting that The View has long been unfair in its treatment of conservative voices and successful entrepreneurs. Podcaster Joe Rogan, in particular, weighed in, commenting on his show:

“It’s not a serious talk show anymore; it’s just an outrage machine. Musk is right to call them out.”

Others argued that Musk, like any public figure, should be free to voice his opinions just as the hosts of The View are free to express theirs.

Backlash Against Musk

On the other side, many critics saw Musk’s comment as an attack on women, particularly his use of gendered language to insult the hosts. Feminist groups and several public figures took to social media to condemn his remarks.

Hillary Clinton tweeted:

“Dismissing women’s voices as ‘ignorant’ when they challenge power is an old trick. It won’t work.”

Actress and activist Alyssa Milano also spoke out, stating:

“Elon Musk’s comments are not just about The View. They’re part of a broader trend of powerful men belittling women who speak their minds.”

Advertisers and Networks Weigh In

With the controversy making waves, ABC, the network behind The View, issued a statement expressing its support for the hosts and their right to share their opinions.

“The View has been a platform for dynamic discussion for over two decades. We stand by our hosts and their right to express their opinions.”

Meanwhile, some advertisers reportedly began considering whether to reassess their partnerships with X, particularly amid concerns about content moderation on Musk’s platform.

Musk Responds Again

True to his style, Musk doubled down on his comments, posting another tweet that further fueled the controversy:

“They can dish it out but can’t take it. Typical.”

His response only deepened the divide, with some applauding his defiance and others accusing him of deflecting legitimate criticism.

What’s Next?

The feud between Musk and The View shows no signs of cooling off anytime soon. The talk show remains one of the most-watched daytime programs, and Musk continues to be a polarizing figure in business and tech. Some analysts believe this controversy could even boost ratings for The View, as public feuds often drive increased viewership.

Others question whether Musk’s comments could influence the show’s advertisers or network executives. Regardless of the outcome, the clash between Musk and The View underscores a growing cultural divide, one that pits influential figures like Musk against mainstream media voices in a battle that is far from over.

Final Thoughts

Elon Musk’s call for a boycott of The View and his disparaging remarks about its hosts have sparked intense debate about media, free speech, and gendered criticism. While some support Musk’s boldness, others view his comments as yet another example of his combative and controversial approach to public discourse.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: neither Musk nor The View is backing down, and this debate will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point in the ongoing cultural conversation.