BREAKING: Elon Musk Shells Out $790 Million to Acquire ABC and Take Over Production of “The View” Following Alec Baldwin’s “Scumbag” Insult

In a stunning and unprecedented move shaking both Hollywood and Wall Street, tech billionaire Elon Musk has finalized the purchase of ABC from Disney for approximately $790 million. This bold acquisition came mere days after Alec Baldwin publicly dubbed Musk “the scumbag of the century” on ABC’s flagship daytime show, The View.

Insiders reveal Musk closed the deal within just three days of Baldwin’s controversial remark, reportedly frustrated by what he described as “legacy media poisoning public discourse with petty celebrity feuds.” In a typically cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk remarked:

“If someone calls you out on live TV… why not just buy the network and let them go? #Efficient”

Strategic Purchase or Personal Vendetta?

The transaction, confirmed jointly by Musk’s X Holdings and Disney, includes full ownership of ABC’s television and streaming assets, as well as stakes in its news operations. Although Musk has remained tight-lipped on whether The View influenced his decision, insiders believe the daytime talk show was “definitely a factor.”

Baldwin, who frequently guest-hosts on The View, had sharply criticized Musk in a heated exchange on billionaire accountability, labeling him “a scumbag with rockets.” The comment rapidly went viral, sparking widespread debate.

While many viewed Baldwin’s insult as a jab at Musk’s controversial leadership and polarizing public image, few foresaw such a dramatic response from the entrepreneur.

One Hollywood source joked, “Most people just tweet back. Elon buys your company.”

Public Reaction Divided

The announcement triggered mixed reactions online. Musk supporters hailed the acquisition as a clever strike against “biased media elites,” with hashtags like #ScumbagRevenge and #MuskTakesABC trending shortly after.

Meanwhile, critics voiced alarm over the growing power of billionaires over public media platforms. “We’re turning democracy into a spectacle,” commented one media analyst on Twitter.

Alec Baldwin responded with a statement saying he “stands by his words” and expressed hope that ABC would “maintain its journalistic integrity under new ownership — though that seems doubtful.”

Bigger Picture and What’s Next?

This acquisition adds to Musk’s track record of disruptive ventures—from flamethrowers under The Boring Company to rebranding Twitter as X. He is known not only as an innovator but also as a cultural agitator.

Media expert Janine Koh noted, “Elon’s either a visionary or a chaos catalyst. Whether it’s rockets, cars, or daytime talk shows, he defies the status quo. That’s either bold or alarming.”

Musk teased further plans, posting on X: “This is just step one. We’re building something bigger and better than cable news. Stay tuned.”

As the world watches, one of the richest men alive now owns the platform where he faced public humiliation — promising a new era of media upheaval.