In a shocking turn of events on The View today, media mogul Oprah Winfrey took direct aim at billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, calling him a “bastard” and a “terrible man.” However, what followed left the entire studio in complete silence, forcing Winfrey to issue an immediate apology.
The confrontation began when The View co-hosts were discussing the influence of tech billionaires in modern society. Winfrey, who has been an outspoken critic of Musk’s business practices and social media behavior, didn’t hold back. “Elon Musk is a bastard. He’s a terrible man,” she said bluntly, drawing gasps from both the audience and her fellow panelists.
Musk, who was not physically present in the studio but tuned in via a live video call, remained remarkably composed. Instead of retaliating with insults, he calmly responded, “Oprah, I’ve always admired your work in media and philanthropy. It’s unfortunate you feel that way about me. But I believe history will judge actions, not words.” His measured response stunned the room, leaving both the hosts and the audience in an awkward silence.
The moment quickly went viral, with social media users debating whether Winfrey’s comments were justified or if Musk had handled the situation with an unexpected level of grace. The backlash against Winfrey was immediate, with many calling her comments unprofessional and unnecessarily harsh. Some viewers noted that while Musk has been a polarizing figure, outright name-calling on live television seemed out of character for Winfrey.
Recognizing the tension in the room, Winfrey swiftly attempted to de-escalate the situation. “I may have spoken too harshly,” she admitted. “I disagree with many of Elon’s actions, but I should have chosen my words more carefully.”
Despite her apology, the incident has sparked widespread conversation about the growing tension between old media powerhouses and the new wave of tech billionaires shaping the future. Musk himself took to X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the exchange, posting a cryptic tweet: “Never let emotions cloud reason. Stay focused.”
While it remains to be seen whether this clash will lead to further fallout, one thing is certain—when two titans like Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk collide, the world takes notice.