Whoopi Goldberg and ‘The View’ Hosts Mock Elon Musk’s Son’s Name – And Elon Musk Claps Back in Fiery Fashion

In yet another viral moment from daytime television, the hosts of The View found themselves at the center of controversy after poking fun at the name of Elon Musk’s son, X Æ A-12, during a light-hearted segment. But what began as a few laughs on-air quickly escalated into a heated online exchange, as Elon Musk himself fired back with a bold and unexpected response.

The Segment That Sparked It All

It all started during a mid-week episode of The View, where the panel—Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin—were discussing unusual celebrity baby names. As the conversation turned to Elon Musk and Grimes’ famously cryptic baby name, Whoopi joked:

“I’m sorry, but is that a name or a computer password?”

The audience erupted in laughter as Joy Behar chimed in, “It’s like Elon just smashed his keyboard and called it a day.”

Sara Haines tried to lighten the tone by suggesting, “Maybe it’s symbolic, or futuristic. You know, like a cyborg prince or something.”

The segment continued in jest, but the clip quickly made its way across social media platforms, racking up millions of views and drawing a mix of amusement and criticism. Some viewers found it entertaining, while others accused The View of being disrespectful and out of touch.

Elon Musk Responds

It didn’t take long for Elon Musk to notice.

In true Musk fashion, the tech billionaire responded not through a traditional statement—but via X (formerly Twitter). Just hours after the clip went viral, Musk posted:

“Making fun of a child’s name is low. Especially from a show that’s supposed to empower women and families.”

Then he followed up with a second post:

“X Æ A-12 is not for everyone. But neither is mediocrity.”

The tweet was liked over 800,000 times within 24 hours and sparked a fiery debate online about boundaries, respect, and the role of media personalities in shaping public narratives.

A Deeper Meaning Behind the Name

While many have long mocked the name X Æ A-12, both Elon Musk and Grimes have publicly explained its meaning:

• X stands for the “unknown variable.”

• Æ is a character used in some Scandinavian languages, and Grimes explained it as “my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence).”

• A-12 is a nod to the Archangel 12, a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, which they described as “the coolest plane ever.”

The couple has also clarified that the name is deeply personal and symbolic to them, representing a blend of science, creativity, and individuality.

In a 2021 interview, Musk said:

“To us, it’s not weird at all. It’s a beautiful expression of who we are and what we value.”

Whoopi’s Response – Not Backing Down

Following Musk’s backlash, Whoopi Goldberg addressed the situation on the next episode of The View. She opened the show by saying:

“Look, we joke. That’s what we do. We weren’t attacking his child, we were reacting to something that’s already been a punchline for years.”

Joy Behar added, “Come on, it’s Elon Musk. He’s not exactly known for being the most chill guy.”

Sunny Hostin, however, offered a more empathetic take:

“Maybe we need to remember that behind all the eccentricity is a family, and a child who may one day Google all this.”

While the hosts didn’t issue an official apology, their remarks suggested they weren’t entirely comfortable with how the joke landed—especially after Musk’s high-profile response.

The Internet Takes Sides

Unsurprisingly, social media was deeply divided.

Supporters of Musk praised him for standing up for his family and calling out what they saw as “bullying disguised as humor.”

One user tweeted:

“Good for Elon. Just because he’s rich doesn’t mean his child should be mocked on national TV.”

Others felt the joke was harmless and that Musk overreacted.

“It’s The View, not 60 Minutes. If you name your kid something like that, you gotta have a sense of humor.”

The debate spilled over into political territory, with some conservative commentators defending Musk and accusing the show of “Hollywood elitism,” while progressive voices highlighted Musk’s own history of controversial comments and suggested this was an example of him “dishing it but not taking it.”

A Teachable Moment?

Whether you side with Musk or The View, the incident serves as yet another reminder of how fast jokes can turn into headlines in the digital age. It also reignites the ongoing conversation about public figures, their families, and where the line between humor and mockery really lies.

In a world where media segments go viral in seconds and tech billionaires are only a tweet away from clapping back, nothing—especially not baby names—is off-limits from scrutiny or backlash.

As for Elon and his son? The Tesla and SpaceX CEO ended the drama with one final tweet:

“He’ll grow up knowing exactly who he is. That’s more than I can say for some people.”