Joy Behar, a prominent host of the daytime talk show The View, issued a public apology to Elon Musk after earlier claiming on-air that he was "pro-apartheid," a statement that lacked evidence and drew intense criticism.

During an intense segment on The View, Behar initially made the unverified assertion about Musk's political beliefs, later retracting it on air and expressing uncertainty about the truth of the claim, as the Daily Mail reports.

The contentious comment emerged during a discussion about Elon Musk's relationship with former President Donald Trump. In her remarks, Behar referred to Musk's background, labeling him a "foreigner" and "foreign agent," alluding to his South African roots.

Her statements implied that Musk's upbringing influenced his alleged political stance, specifically towards apartheid, a point that was later admitted as speculative.

Initial Comments Spur Backlash

Initially, Behar told the audience that Musk, having been born in South Africa during apartheid, was supportive of the system, based on her understanding, though she offered no concrete proof.

"The guy was not born in this country, who was born under apartheid in South Africa," she remarked, attempting to provide context to her comments. She stated that Musk had "that mentality going on" and was "pro-apartheid," a stance she later conceded might not be true.

Soon after these comments, Behar experienced backlash. During a commercial break, she reflected on her statements, and upon returning to the air, she admitted that her prior assertions were not backed by evidence. "Now I'm getting some flack because I said that Musk was pro-apartheid. I don't really know for sure if he was," she admitted, addressing her own uncertainties.

On-Air Retraction and Viewer Reactions

Following her admission, Behar humorously requested Musk not to pursue her legally, saying, "So, don't be suing me, okay, Elon?”

This lighthearted plea, however, was perceived by many viewers as a feeble attempt to evade accountability. Her comments during the segment led to mixed reactions from the audience, with some viewers taking to social media to criticize her on-air apology as insincere.

One viewer expressed dissatisfaction by noting, "That was one of those, NonApology APOLOGIES." Another agreed with the sentiment, stating, "If a person does NOT know something for certain or not, they should not go on blabbering about it & associate someone by name-then request that person doesn’t sue them."

Public Figure Scrutiny Continues

The incident is not the first time Musk has been the focus of discussion on The View. On a previous episode, Behar, along with her co-host Whoopi Goldberg, made light of Musk's son, X, and his presence in the Oval Office.

This pattern of commentary concerning Musk suggests ongoing scrutiny and critique of the billionaire entrepreneur by the show's hosts.

Despite retracting her statement regarding Musk, Behar continued to express notions about the challenges she felt exist in media, noting that some individuals are "allowed to say any lie they want," but highlighting the responsibility she and her colleagues have on the talk show.

"That's why this show's important," she emphasized, indicating the pressures of maintaining factual discourse.

Lessons on Assumptions in Media

The controversy surrounding Behar's remarks reflects broader issues within media platforms about the importance of verifying information before making public assertions, especially concerning influential figures like Musk.

Her apology, whether deemed adequate by the audience or not, underscores the potential consequences of speaking without certainty.

While the apology sparked debate, it also sparked dialogue about responsibility in broadcasting. As Behar's situation illustrates, the balance between open discussion and factual grounding is crucial in maintaining credibility in today's media landscape.

The incident serves as a reminder to both the media and audience that even casual comments can have significant repercussions when discussing high-profile individuals.