TV ERUPTS IN CHAOS: Sunny Hostin STUNS ‘The View’ Audience by Calling Elon Musk a “Bastard” LIVE On Air

Fact Check: No, Sunny Hostin didn't call Musk a 'b*****d' on 'The View'

Musk’s Unexpected Response FREEZES the Studio as Joy Behar Scrambles to Apologize — What Sparked the Outburst?

New York, NY — In one of the most explosive live television moments of the year, The View descended into chaos Wednesday morning when co-host Sunny Hostin launched into a fiery tirade that included calling tech billionaire Elon Musk a “bastard”—live, unedited, and entirely unscripted. The bombshell moment sent the studio into a frenzy, left fellow hosts stunned, and prompted a swift and icy response from Musk himself that sent shockwaves through the media.

The Outburst That Shook Daytime TV

The panel was discussing the growing influence of tech moguls in politics and the controversial changes at X (formerly Twitter) under Musk’s leadership. As the discussion grew more heated, Hostin suddenly broke from her usual measured tone, declaring:

“I don’t care how much money he has. Elon Musk is a bastard who’s playing god with our democracy, and we’re all just watching it happen!”

Gasps erupted from the audience. Whoopi Goldberg’s eyes widened. Sara Haines looked down at her notes, visibly uncomfortable. Joy Behar tried to cut in—”Okay, let’s all take a breath here…”—but the damage had already been done.

ABC Scrambles, Commercials Roll

Sunny Hostin Rips Elon Musk On 'The View' After He Curses Out Advertisers  Leaving X: “Ruined The Company” | Decider

Within seconds, producers cut to an unscheduled commercial break. According to inside sources, executive producers were in “full panic mode” backstage as the show’s legal and PR teams sprang into action.

ABC later released a brief statement:

“The View is a live, unscripted program where passionate conversation happens. The network does not endorse any personal attacks made on the show. We are addressing the matter internally.”

Musk Responds — And Shocks the Room

But what truly turned the moment into a media firestorm was Elon Musk’s unexpected and chillingly calm response—posted on X just minutes later:

“I don’t know who Sunny Hostin is, but I’m flattered she thinks I’m powerful enough to scare The View. Must be doing something right.”

He added a winking emoji and changed his X bio temporarily to: “Bastard. Apparently.”

The post racked up 12 million views in under two hours and triggered an avalanche of reactions—both defending and condemning Musk and Hostin alike.

Joy Behar’s Live Apology

When the show returned from break, Joy Behar attempted to deescalate the situation with a quick apology:

“We’d like to remind our viewers that opinions expressed here are those of the hosts, and not necessarily of ABC. We apologize if any remarks went too far.”

Sunny Hostin, notably silent during the remainder of the broadcast, offered no retraction or clarification. Sources say she was “visibly shaken” after the break and left the studio quietly post-show.

Viewer Backlash — and Support

The backlash was immediate and intense.

Conservative commentators pounced on the moment, calling it further proof of Hollywood’s “unhinged hostility” toward successful entrepreneurs and free speech advocates.

Tucker Carlson, speaking on his online show, said:

“This wasn’t just about Musk. This was about the elite media’s fear of losing control over the public narrative.”

Progressives, however, were split. Some defended Hostin’s frustration with tech oligarchs, while others criticized her choice of words as “unproductive and inflammatory.”

One popular post on X read:

“Sunny Hostin made a fair point—just poorly. We should be holding tech billionaires accountable, but this isn’t the way.”

ABC Executives “Blindsided”

According to an anonymous source at ABC News, top executives are now “reviewing all live segment protocols” and considering implementing time-delay buffers, especially during politically sensitive topics.

“This was not what they wanted trending on a Wednesday morning,” the source said. “Musk is one of the most watched figures in the world. Going after him unscripted is risky territory.”

A Pattern of Escalation?

This incident follows a string of recent confrontations between The View hosts and high-profile guests or figures. Karoline Leavitt’s viral appearance last week, in which she accused the show of “mainstream censorship,” has already led to accusations that The View is no longer a safe or civil forum for discussion.

What’s Next for Sunny Hostin?

While no disciplinary action has been confirmed, network insiders report that Hostin has been asked to “meet with senior producers” before the next taping. Whether a public apology or on-air clarification is coming remains unclear.

Fans of the show are fiercely divided. The show’s Instagram account is flooded with thousands of comments ranging from “#TeamSunny” to “Fire Her Now.”


Final Thoughts

In an era where tech tycoons and media giants are locked in an unending battle for public influence, the explosion on The View may be less about one insult—and more about a society on edge.

One thing’s certain: we haven’t heard the last of this.