In the high-stakes world of American daytime television, few programs court controversy and conversation quite like The View. The panel of outspoken women has long been a lightning rod for political debate, celebrity drama, and cultural commentary. In the wake of the 2025 election, the show—and particularly co-host Sunny Hostin—has once again found itself at the center of a media firestorm, this time involving none other than billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Political Passions Run High

Throughout the 2024-2025 election cycle, Sunny Hostin and her fellow hosts on The View were anything but silent about their political leanings. The panel, which includes the likes of Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, made no secret of their support for Kamala Harris, who was running against former president Donald Trump. Their discussions often turned pointed, with Trump being described as “psychotic” and his administration’s actions labeled as “depraved.”

Hostin, a former federal prosecutor known for her incisive commentary, summed up the mood on the show at one point: “I think that in 2016, we didn’t know what we would get from a Trump administration, but we know now. And we know now that we will have almost unfettered power.” Her remarks reflected a palpable anxiety shared by many in the progressive media landscape as Trump’s campaign gained momentum.

The Elon Musk Factor

But the twist in this season’s political drama came not just from the election’s outcome, but from an unexpected appointment: Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was tapped to serve as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The move was as controversial as it was headline-grabbing, and it quickly became fodder for The View’s daily discussions.

Hostin, never one to shy away from sharing her opinions, made it clear she wanted nothing to do with Musk’s ventures. “I’m not going to buy a Tesla, I’m not going to buy Tesla stock,” she declared on air, adding that she had deleted her X (formerly Twitter) account following Trump’s victory and Musk’s new government role. “I didn’t want to have anything related to Elon Musk,” she explained.

Her disdain for Musk’s stewardship of the social media platform was equally blunt. “Twitter was a hellscape before Elon Musk, then he changed the name to X, which was stupid,” she said, according to a segment cited by Decider. “Nobody calls it X!”

Rumors and Reality: Did Hostin Insult Musk on Live TV?

As the political tensions spilled over into the post-election media cycle, rumors began to swirl online and in tabloid outlets. Several viral posts and clickbait headlines claimed that Sunny Hostin had called Elon Musk a “b*****d” on live television, shocking the audience and prompting an on-air apology from co-host Joy Behar.

According to these reports, Behar supposedly distanced herself and the show from Hostin’s comments, saying her opinion did not reflect that of The View as a whole. The story quickly gained traction, with social media users debating whether Hostin had crossed a line and whether Musk would respond.

But as often happens in the age of viral misinformation, the truth turned out to be far less dramatic. Not only did no reputable news organization report on the alleged insult, but there is also no video evidence or official transcript confirming that Hostin ever called Musk a derogatory name on air. The story, it seems, was a fabrication—an internet rumor that snowballed into a minor scandal before being debunked.

The Anatomy of a Viral Hoax

The rise and fall of the Hostin-Musk controversy is a case study in how misinformation spreads in the digital age. A single unverified claim, amplified by social media algorithms and the public’s appetite for celebrity drama, can quickly overshadow the facts. In this instance, the lack of any credible source or video evidence did little to stop the rumor from circulating.

Media watchdogs and fact-checkers were quick to point out the inconsistencies. No major news outlet covered the alleged incident, and The View’s own social media accounts made no mention of any on-air apology or controversy. Within days, the story faded from the headlines, replaced by the next viral topic.

Why the Story Stuck

So why did the rumor gain so much traction in the first place? Part of the answer lies in the personalities involved. Sunny Hostin is known for her passionate, sometimes polarizing opinions. Elon Musk, for his part, is a perennial lightning rod—admired by some as a visionary and derided by others as a provocateur.

Their perceived clash on The View was tailor-made for the culture wars that now define much of American media. For some viewers, the (fictional) insult was a sign of Hostin’s courage; for others, it was proof of liberal media bias. In reality, it was neither.

The Real Issues at Stake

Lost in the noise of the fake controversy are the real questions raised by Hostin and her co-hosts. What does it mean for a tech billionaire like Musk to hold a government position overseeing efficiency? How should public figures use their platforms to hold power to account, especially in a polarized political climate? And what responsibility do media outlets—and their audiences—have in verifying the truth before sharing stories online?

Hostin’s actual criticisms of Musk were rooted in her concerns about his influence over public discourse and technology. Her decision to delete her X account and boycott Tesla products was a personal protest, not a personal attack. Whether one agrees with her or not, her stance reflects a broader debate about the intersection of technology, politics, and personal ethics.

Conclusion: Separating Fact from Fiction

In the end, the supposed feud between Sunny Hostin and Elon Musk was much ado about nothing. There was no on-air insult, no dramatic apology, and no lasting rift—just another example of how quickly rumors can spiral out of control in today’s media landscape.

What remains is a reminder to viewers and readers alike: In an age of instant information, it pays to pause, check the facts, and separate reality from rumor. As for Hostin and Musk, both remain as outspoken—and as influential—as ever, each shaping the national conversation in their own way.

So the next time you see a provocative headline about The View, Elon Musk, or any other public figure, remember: the truth is often far less sensational, but far more important, than the stories that go viral.