In an outrageous and unexpected turn of events, Whoopi Goldberg and the co-hosts of The View have sparked a media firestorm after publicly ridiculing Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son, X Æ A-12, during a live broadcast.
The shocking segment has led to massive backlash, with Musk himself stepping in to demand an apology—but what he got in response left many stunned.
What Happened on The View?
During a discussion about Musk’s influence in media and technology, the conversation took a controversial and distasteful turn when the panel began mocking the billionaire’s young son.
Led by Whoopi Goldberg, the co-hosts made sarcastic remarks about the child’s unique name, with some joking that it sounded like a “Wi-Fi password” or a “robot serial number.”
Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin added fuel to the fire, laughing at the pronunciation and questioning how a child with such a name would navigate school and social interactions.
Though the remarks may have been intended as lighthearted banter, many viewers were outraged, taking to social media to slam the show for what they saw as an unnecessary and cruel attack on a child.
Elon Musk Responds with Fury
It didn’t take long for the SpaceX and Tesla CEO to fire back. Musk, never one to hold back on social media, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his outrage:
“Mocking a child—especially one too young to understand or defend himself—is beyond disgraceful. Whoopi Goldberg and The View should be ashamed.”
Musk demanded an immediate and public apology, emphasizing that children should always be off-limits when it comes to media scrutiny and ridicule. His post quickly went viral, with millions of supporters rallying behind him.
Public Backlash & Divided Opinions
As expected, the incident ignited a fierce debate online. Many fans and commentators sided with Musk, condemning The View for what they saw as an unacceptable attack on an innocent child.
Critics pointed out that regardless of personal opinions about Musk, his son should never have been the target of such public ridicule.
One furious user tweeted:
“How low can The View go? Targeting a FOUR-YEAR-OLD? This is disgusting and unacceptable.”
Others, however, defended The View, arguing that Musk’s unconventional parenting choices naturally invite scrutiny. Some claimed that Musk himself had made his son’s name a spectacle and that humorous remarks should not be equated with bullying.
Did The View Apologize?
Despite the overwhelming backlash, The View has not issued a formal apology as of yet. Whoopi Goldberg briefly addressed the controversy on a later episode, brushing off criticism:
“People need to lighten up. We joke about a lot of things on this show, and this was no different.”
Her dismissive response only served to pour gasoline on the fire, with Musk doubling down on his criticism. Outraged supporters have since called for a boycott of The View, accusing the show of unfairly targeting individuals they politically disagree with.
The Bigger Issue: Where Is the Line?
This explosive controversy has sparked a broader discussion about media ethics, celebrity privacy, and the limits of comedy. While public figures are often subjected to scrutiny, the key question remains: Should their children be off-limits?
Regardless of one’s stance on Musk, this incident highlights the responsibility that media personalities have when using their platforms.
The debate is far from over, and whether The View will face consequences remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Elon Musk is not backing down, and neither are his supporters.
