In a surprising turn of events, Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on The View found themselves at the center of controversy after making what many perceived as inappropriate and insensitive comments about Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son, X Æ A-12, during a live broadcast. The incident quickly escalated into a heated debate, with Musk himself demanding an apology.
What Happened on The View?
During a segment discussing Musk’s recent media presence and personal life, the conversation took an unexpectedly controversial turn as the hosts began mocking his son’s name. Led by Goldberg, the panel joked about the boy’s name being so complex, comparing it to a “Wi-Fi password” or a “robot serial number.”
Co-hosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin added fuel to the fire, laughing at the remarks and questioning how a child with such a name would handle school and social interactions. While the comments may have seemed lighthearted, many viewers took to social media to express their outrage, calling the segment “disgusting” and “unnecessary.”
Elon Musk Responds Swiftly
It wasn’t long before the Tesla and SpaceX CEO reacted. Musk, known for his outspoken nature on social media, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment, stating:
“Mocking children—especially those too young to understand or respond—is beyond embarrassing. Whoopi Goldberg and The View should be ashamed.”
Musk then demanded an immediate apology, emphasizing that children should be off-limits when it comes to public scrutiny and media ridicule.
Public Reaction and Divided Opinions
The controversy quickly escalated, with social media users split in their reactions. Many sided with Musk, criticizing The View for what they saw as an unnecessary attack on a child. Supporters argued that regardless of Musk’s personal views, ridiculing a child on national television was inappropriate.
However, others defended The View, claiming that public figures like Musk are frequently the subject of media scrutiny, especially when their personal decisions—such as naming a child X Æ A-12—become public spectacles. Some fans of the show argued that the remarks were lighthearted and shouldn’t be equated with harassment.
Did The View Apologize?
Despite growing pressure, The View has yet to issue a formal apology. Whoopi Goldberg briefly addressed the backlash in a subsequent episode, stating:
“People love to take things out of context. We joke. That’s what we do.”
This response only fueled the controversy further, as Musk doubled down on his criticism. Many of his supporters have already called for a boycott of The View, arguing that the show has a history of attacking public figures with whom it disagrees.
The Broader Conversation: Media and Ethics
This controversy has ignited a broader debate about media ethics, celebrity privacy, and the boundaries of comedy. While public figures expect scrutiny, the question remains: Should their children be off-limits?
Regardless of Musk’s stance and his public decisions, this incident serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility media personalities hold. It remains to be seen whether The View will address the issue further, but one thing is certain—this debate is far from over.
