Sunny Hostin Spars With ‘The View’ Hosts Over Elon Musk: “I Think He’s Helping Save The World”

It’s no secret that Tesla founder and Time Magazine “Person of the Year” Elon Musk is a controversial figure, and on today’s episode of The View, Sunny Hostin sparred with her co-hosts while coming to his defense.

“I know he’s deeply unpopular around the world, but if you think about the work he has done, he’s a different type of gazillionaire,” she said as they discussed the Time news. “He has sort of reshaped life on this planet in terms of climate change, not only for his work in space, but also for his work on electric cars.”

Hostin added that Musk has given around $100 million to climate change initiatives, and his ventures have spanned everything from internet startups to sustainable energy to artificial intelligence.

“When you think about those good things that he’s done, I think that’s really important. I think it’s very different from some of the other billionaires in the space,” she added. “Because if we think that climate change is the greatest existential threat that we’re facing, he’s addressing that So yes, not paying taxes, but doing [that]… I think he’s saving the world,”

While Sara Haines added that two things can be true, she wasn’t sold on Musk’s work. “[His net worth is] $290 billion,” she pointed out. “For generations, your family could never spend that money, and there are people that can’t eat today. Give some to people, and pay your taxes.”

“He’s a vocal opponent of increased taxes on the rich, including government involvement at all in his financial assets,” Joy Behar said. “Are you American, or are you some kind of space cadet? Go back to Mars.”

The View airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.

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