In a bold legal move, Elon Musk—CEO of Tesla and SpaceX—has filed a $70 million defamation lawsuit against Joy Behar and the popular daytime show The View. Musk claims comments made during a recent broadcast damaged his reputation and caused serious emotional distress. The suit, filed in federal court in New York, marks a significant escalation in Musk’s ongoing clashes with media figures who’ve criticized both his business decisions and personal life.

The lawsuit centers around remarks made by Behar during a segment discussing Musk’s management of Twitter, now rebranded as X. During the discussion, Behar and her co-hosts scrutinized Musk’s leadership, with Behar allegedly implying that Musk’s behavior was detrimental not just to his companies, but to employees, customers, and even the economy. She also made references to his personal life, painting a less-than-flattering picture of his character.

Musk’s legal team argues these claims were not only false but deliberately damaging. They allege Behar acted with malicious intent, aiming to mislead viewers and harm Musk’s public and professional image—especially as he navigates high-profile challenges with X and other ventures. His attorneys, known for handling high-stakes defamation cases, argue that Behar’s comments went beyond fair critique and crossed into reckless disregard for the truth.

The suit doesn’t just seek monetary damages. Musk is also demanding a public retraction from both The View and Behar, believing it’s necessary to help repair the reputational damage.

While this isn’t Musk’s first time in the courtroom over public comments—he previously won a high-profile defamation case against British cave diver Vernon Unsworth—it is one of his most prominent battles against a mainstream media outlet. As of now, neither Behar nor the producers of The View have made a public statement, though sources say the show’s legal team is preparing a response behind the scenes.

Behar, known for her outspoken liberal views and no-holds-barred commentary, has frequently clashed with conservative and controversial figures on air. However, this case could mark a turning point, especially given Musk’s influence, resources, and massive social media following.

Musk has long been a polarizing figure. To some, he’s a visionary reshaping the future with electric vehicles, rockets, and AI. To others, he’s a provocateur who stirs controversy online, especially through his Twitter/X posts, which have at times moved markets or sparked legal backlash.

Since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, Musk has become even more critical of media outlets, accusing journalists of bias and misinformation. So it’s no surprise he’s chosen to push back legally when he feels the media crosses a line.

This case also raises bigger questions about the boundaries between free speech and defamation—particularly on a show like The View, which thrives on candid, often heated conversations about current events and public figures. While the show is no stranger to controversy, this lawsuit could prompt a reassessment of how its hosts approach hot-button topics involving powerful individuals.

In today’s media landscape, where viral moments are just a soundbite away, public figures like Musk are increasingly turning to the courts to protect their reputations. Whether Musk’s case succeeds or not, it reflects a growing trend: high-profile individuals pushing back against what they see as unfair treatment in the press.

This lawsuit may not just reshape Musk’s public image—it could also influence how media outlets handle commentary about public figures going forward.