Television host Joy Behar faced backlash after falsely stating that billionaire Elon Musk was “pro-apartheid” during The View on Thursday. The claim, made in the midst of a discussion about Musk’s influence and his relationship with President Donald Trump, quickly sparked controversy.
Behar initially said, “The guy was not born in this country, who was born under apartheid in South Africa… He was pro-apartheid, as I understand it.” However, after returning from a commercial break, she backtracked, admitting she had no evidence.
“Now I’m getting some flack because I said that Musk was pro-apartheid. I don’t really know for sure if he was,” Behar said. She added, “So, don’t be suing me, okay Elon?” Her lighthearted tone did little to convince critics, with many labeling it a “non-apology.”
Social media erupted with reactions, with users accusing Behar of making reckless claims. One viewer wrote, “If a person does NOT know something for certain, they should not go on blabbering about it & associate someone by name.” Others suggested that Musk should take legal action.
This is not the first time Behar has drawn criticism for comments about Musk. Weeks earlier, she and co-host Whoopi Goldberg mocked Musk’s four-year-old son’s name during a discussion about his visit to the Oval Office.
The incident raises concerns about the responsibility of media personalities when discussing public figures. Many argue that public figures should be held accountable for spreading misinformation, regardless of intent.
