She Mocked Elon Musk’s Faith on Live TV—Then His One Line Left Her in Tears

Elon Musk, the 53-year-old billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has long been a polarizing figure, known as much for his groundbreaking innovations as for his provocative statements. On May 9, 2025, during a live broadcast of ABC’s The View, co-host Joy Behar took aim at Musk in a segment discussing his recent political involvement and personal beliefs. Behar, a veteran comedian and outspoken liberal, mocked Musk’s faith—or lack thereof—in a biting remark that sparked gasps from the audience. But Musk, appearing via satellite from his Tesla Gigafactory in Texas, delivered a single, poignant line in response that left Behar visibly emotional, her eyes welling with tears as the show cut to a commercial break. The moment, which aired just days before May 13, 2025, has since gone viral, reigniting debates about Musk’s public image, the role of faith in a secular age, and the power of words in the charged landscape of 2025 America.

The incident occurred during a heated discussion on The View about Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has been co-leading efforts to cut $1 trillion in federal spending. Musk’s political activities have drawn scrutiny, particularly after his $291 million in donations to Republican candidates in 2024 and his vocal support for Trump’s policies. Tesla, meanwhile, has faced significant challenges, with first-quarter profits in 2025 dropping 71% and sales plummeting—down 59% in France and 67% in Denmark in April alone. Musk’s decision to scale back his DOGE involvement to “just a day or two per week,” announced in late April, was meant to reassure Tesla investors, but his political stances have alienated many of the company’s liberal customers, leading to protests at dealerships and a tarnished brand image.

Behar, known for her sharp tongue and progressive views, began the segment by criticizing Musk’s influence in the Trump administration, calling him “the unelected shadow president” and questioning his qualifications to overhaul government spending. The conversation took a personal turn when co-host Whoopi Goldberg brought up Musk’s recent comments about faith. In a March 2025 interview with The Atlantic, Musk had described himself as “culturally Christian” but admitted he wasn’t deeply religious, saying, “I believe in the idea of a higher power, but I’m more focused on building a future for humanity—whether that’s on Earth or Mars.” Behar seized on this, mocking Musk’s ambivalence with a sarcastic jab. “So, Elon Musk thinks he’s building a future for humanity, but he can’t even decide if he believes in God?” she quipped, her tone dripping with disdain. “I guess when you’re a billionaire, you don’t need faith—you just buy your way to Mars and play God yourself.”

The audience erupted in a mix of laughter and gasps, with co-host Sunny Hostin shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Behar’s comment, while in line with her usual provocative style, struck a nerve, especially given the cultural climate of 2025, where debates about faith, morality, and the role of billionaires in politics have intensified. Musk, who had been invited to respond to the panel’s discussion via satellite, appeared on the studio’s large screen, his expression initially unreadable. The hosts expected him to fire back with his characteristic sarcasm or a defense of his political role, but what followed was a moment of raw vulnerability that caught everyone off guard.

Musk paused for a moment, his gaze steady, before replying in a quiet, measured tone: “Joy, I lost my faith when I was 10, after my parents’ divorce tore my world apart—but I’ve spent every day since trying to build a better one for my kids, so they never have to feel that pain.” The studio fell silent. Behar, who had been smirking moments earlier, froze, her expression softening as Musk’s words sank in. The camera zoomed in on her face, capturing the moment her eyes welled with tears. Hostin reached for Behar’s hand, while Goldberg quickly announced a commercial break, her voice uncharacteristically shaky. “We’ll be right back,” she said, as the screen faded to black.

The moment Musk’s one-line response aired, social media exploded. Clips of the exchange racked up millions of views on X within hours, with hashtags like #ElonMuskFaith and #JoyBeharTears trending by the evening of May 9, 2025. Fans of Musk praised his authenticity, with one user writing, “Elon just showed more humanity in one sentence than Joy Behar has in her entire career.” Others expressed empathy for Behar, noting her own history of personal struggles, including a difficult childhood in Brooklyn and the loss of her mother at a young age. “Joy didn’t expect Elon to get so real—she’s human, and that hit her hard,” another user commented. Critics, however, accused Behar of hypocrisy, pointing to her frequent defense of tolerance while mocking Musk’s beliefs. “She can dish it out but can’t take it,” one detractor wrote.

The incident highlighted Musk’s complex relationship with faith, a topic he has rarely discussed publicly. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk experienced a tumultuous childhood, with his parents’ divorce at age 10 leaving a lasting impact. In a 2023 interview on Lex Fridman’s podcast, Musk mentioned attending Anglican Sunday school but drifting away from religion as he grew older, embracing a more scientific worldview. His comments on The View offered a rare glimpse into the personal motivations behind his relentless drive, connecting his lack of faith to a deeper desire to create stability for his children—X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus, among others, whom he shares with ex-partner Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis.

For Behar, the moment was a humbling one. Known for her fiery liberal commentary, the 82-year-old co-host has often clashed with conservative figures on The View, but Musk’s response transcended politics, striking at a universal human experience. Behar returned after the commercial break visibly shaken, her voice softer as she addressed Musk directly. “I’m sorry, Elon—I didn’t know that about your childhood, and I shouldn’t have gone there,” she said, wiping her eyes. “That was a cheap shot, and I regret it.” Musk nodded, replying, “We all have our scars, Joy. Let’s just keep building a better future.” The exchange marked a rare moment of reconciliation on a show known for its contentious debates, leaving viewers stunned.

The fallout from the incident has been significant. By May 13, 2025, the clip had been viewed over 20 million times across platforms, sparking broader conversations about the intersection of faith and public life. Some commentators praised Musk for his vulnerability, arguing that his response humanized a man often seen as a larger-than-life figure. Others criticized Behar for what they saw as a pattern of insensitivity, pointing to her past controversies, such as her 2018 clash with Meghan McCain over political rhetoric. Behar’s apology, however, earned her some goodwill, with supporters noting her willingness to own her mistake on live television.

The incident also comes at a pivotal moment for Musk. Tesla’s struggles in 2025—plummeting sales, a tarnished brand, and a stock price down 50% from its December 2024 peak—have put immense pressure on his leadership. His political involvement, including his $291 million in GOP donations and his role in DOGE, has alienated Tesla’s liberal customer base, leading to protests and calls for boycotts. Yet, Musk’s one-line response on The View reminded the public of the personal motivations behind his public persona, offering a glimpse of the man beneath the headlines.

For Behar, the moment may prompt reflection on her approach to commentary, especially in an era where public discourse is increasingly polarized. The View has long thrived on controversy, but Musk’s response challenged the show’s hosts to consider the human cost of their words. As the dust settles, the incident serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of faith, fame, and forgiveness in the public eye. Musk’s one line not only left Behar in tears but also left an indelible mark on a nation watching, proving that even in the heat of debate, a moment of raw honesty can cut through the noise.