In what can only be described as the biggest power move ever by a billionaire, Elon Musk reportedly 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 might ask? Because Alec Baldwin called him “scum” during a heated segment earlier this week.
According to sources close to him, Musk, who is no stranger to spectacular displays of wealth and influence, made the decision while sipping a morning coffee and scrolling through Twitter (now known as X, thanks to him). “Elon doesn’t just respond on social media; he responds with large-scale corporate acquisitions,” one close associate joked.
The saga began when Baldwin, appearing as a guest on The View, criticized Musk’s recent initiatives, calling him “scum” for what he described as “destroying Twitter” and “turning Teslas into expensive go-karts.” Baldwin’s comments quickly went viral, sparking memes and debates online.But no one expected Musk to respond by buying the network outright.
“I couldn’t pass up that opportunity,” Musk tweeted (or did he mark it with an “X”?), confirming the acquisition. “If you want to insult me, Alec, next time pick a platform other than mine . Oh wait, I have that one too.”
As for the fate of The View, Musk wasted no time in cancelling it, reportedly ordering 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, which features live rocket launches and delves into cryptocurrency trends.
Unsurprisingly, the reactions have been mixed. Fans of The View mourn the loss of their favorite daily drama, while Musk supporters hail him as the king of petty revenge. Baldwin, for his part, responded with a simple “Well played,” accompanied by a photo of himself drinking wine.
In the grand scheme of Musk’s antics, this latest move may not even crack the top ten, but one thing is for sure: Alec Baldwin might think twice before mentioning Elon Musk again.
