In a move that has stunned both Hollywood and Wall Street, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has purchased ABC from Disney for a reported $790 million. The acquisition came just days after actor Alec Baldwin referred to Musk as “the scumbag of the century” during a fiery segment on ABC’s long-running talk show The View.
According to sources close to the deal, Musk made the purchase “within 72 hours” of Baldwin’s comments, expressing frustration at what he described as “a legacy media network polluting public discourse with low-grade celebrity drama.” In a typically cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote:
“If someone insults you on live TV… why not just buy the whole network and fire them? #Efficiency.”
A Billionaire’s Grudge, or a Strategic Move?
The acquisition, which was confirmed by both Musk’s holding company X Holdings and Disney in a joint statement, includes full rights to ABC’s television and streaming assets, along with partial stakes in its news division. Musk did not comment directly on whether The View had influenced the purchase, but insiders say the show was “certainly on his mind.”
Baldwin, a recurring guest and occasional co-host on The View, had sharply criticized Musk during a discussion about tech billionaires and social responsibility. His remark, calling Musk “a scumbag with rockets,” went viral almost instantly.
While the insult may have been aimed at Musk’s controversial management style or polarizing public image, few expected the billionaire to respond with such dramatic flair.
“Most people clap back on Twitter,” joked one Hollywood insider. “Elon claps back by buying your employer.”
What’s Next for The View?
In a press conference outside ABC Studios in New York, Musk hinted at upcoming changes to the network’s programming. When asked about The View, Musk smirked and said, “We’re renaming it The Musk View. We’ll see how much ‘viewing’ people do when it’s actually interesting.”
Though no official decisions have been announced regarding the show’s future, rumors are swirling that several of the current panelists may be replaced. A leaked internal memo allegedly mentions a “reimagined format focused on innovation, free speech, and memes.”
Some sources close to ABC fear that Musk’s purchase signals the end of traditional journalism at the network. “He’s not buying it for journalism,” one producer said anonymously. “He’s buying it to troll the media.”
Public Reactions: Divided, as Always
Reactions to the news have been predictably polarized. Supporters of Musk have hailed the move as a power play against what they see as “biased media.” Online, hashtags like #ScumbagRevenge and #MuskTakesABC trended within hours of the announcement.
Others, however, see it as another troubling example of a billionaire wielding outsized influence over public platforms. “We’re watching democracy turn into a reality show,” tweeted one media critic.
Alec Baldwin himself issued a statement saying he had “no regrets” about his comments and that he hoped ABC would “maintain its integrity in the hands of its new owner, unlikely as that may be.”
The Bigger Picture
This latest stunt is just one in a long line of unexpected business decisions by Musk. From launching flamethrowers under The Boring Company brand to renaming Twitter to X, he has made a name for himself not just as a tech innovator, but as a disruptor of culture and media.
“Some see Elon as a genius, others as a chaos agent,” said media analyst Janine Koh. “But whether it’s cars, rockets, or now morning talk shows, he refuses to play by the rules. That’s either visionary—or terrifying.”
As for what’s next, Musk has already hinted at broader ambitions. “This is just the first step,” he wrote on X. “We’re going to build something better than cable news. Stay tuned.”
And with that, the world waits to see what happens when one of the planet’s richest men buys not just airtime—but the very stage where he was insulted.
