In what can only be described as the ultimate billionaire power move, Elon Musk has reportedly casually shelled out $790 million to acquire ABC Company, the parent network of The View, only to cancel the long-running daytime talk show. Why, you ask? Because Alec Baldwin called him a “scumbag” during a heated segment earlier this week.
According to insiders, Musk — no stranger to dramatic displays of wealth and influence — made the decision over a morning cup of coffee and a scroll through Twitter (now known as X, thanks to him). “Elon doesn’t just fight back on social media; he fights back with full-on corporate acquisitions,” a close associate joked.
The saga began when Baldwin, appearing as a guest on The View, criticized Musk’s recent ventures, calling him a “scumbag” for what he described as “destroying Twitter” and “turning Teslas into overpriced go-karts.” Baldwin’s comments quickly went viral, spawning memes and online debate.
But no one expected Musk to respond by buying the network.
“I couldn’t let this go,” Musk tweeted (or “X’d”?), confirming the acquisition. “If you want to insult me, Alec, maybe pick a platform I don’t own next time. Oh wait, I own that one too.”
As for the fate of The View, Musk wasted no time in pulling the plug on it, reportedly instructing ABC executives to “cancel it with extreme prejudice.” Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that Musk plans to replace the show with a tech-focused program, tentatively titled The Elon Hour, featuring live rocket launches and deep dives into cryptocurrency trends.
Reactions have been predictably mixed. Fans of The View are mourning the loss of their favorite daily drama, while Musk’s supporters are hailing him as the king of petty revenge. Baldwin, for his part, responded with a simple, “Well played,” accompanied by a photo of himself sipping wine.
In the grand scheme of Musk’s antics, this latest move may not even make the top ten, but one thing is for sure: Alec Baldwin might want to think twice before quoting Elon Musk again.