In a whirlwind of controversy that has set social media ablaze, tech mogul Elon Musk has once again stirred the pot, this time targeting Whoopi Goldberg, the outspoken co-host of ABC’s The View.
The saga began with a seemingly innocuous exchange on X, Musk’s own social media platform, where he responded to a viral clip from The View. In the clip, Goldberg and her co-hosts were discussing Musk’s influence in the Trump administration, particularly his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Goldberg’s remarks, which some interpreted as dismissive of Musk’s intellectual capabilities, prompted a fiery retort from the billionaire.
What followed was an unprecedented challenge: Musk dared Goldberg to take an IQ test, claiming he would “prove who’s really in the driver’s seat.” The results, according to sources close to the event, have left Goldberg and her team reeling.
The feud ignited on March 4, 2025, when Musk reposted a clip of Goldberg clashing with ESPN host Stephen A. Smith on The View. In the heated exchange, Goldberg defended the show’s political commentary, which critics, including Smith, accused of being biased toward the Democratic Party.
Musk, never one to shy away from a public spat, quote-posted the clip with a sarcastic jab: “I love that trick. Works every time.” The comment, viewed millions of times, drew cheers from Musk’s supporters and ire from Goldberg’s fans.
But Musk didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, he directly addressed Goldberg, writing, “If you’re so confident, Whoopi, let’s settle this with an IQ test. I’ll even let you pick the proctor. Results go public. Deal?” The challenge, bold and provocative, sent shockwaves through the entertainment and tech worlds.
Goldberg, known for her quick wit and no-nonsense demeanor, initially dismissed the challenge on The View’s March 6 episode. “I don’t need a test to know I’ve got brains,” she quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. However, the pressure mounted as Musk’s fans flooded X with hashtags like #WhoopiVSMusk and #IQShowdown, demanding she accept.
Behind the scenes, sources say Goldberg’s team was divided. Some advised her to ignore Musk, wary of his knack for turning debates into viral spectacles. Others, sensing an opportunity to boost The View’s ratings, urged her to take the bait. By March 10, Goldberg relented, announcing on air that she would participate, but only if the test was administered by a neutral third party, such as a reputable psychological association.
The IQ test took place on March 15, 2025, under strict confidentiality, with both Musk and Goldberg submitting to a standardized assessment overseen by the American Psychological Association. While the exact scores remain under wraps, leaks from insiders suggest a dramatic outcome.
According to unverified reports circulating on X, Musk’s score significantly outperformed Goldberg’s, with some claiming a gap of over 20 points. These rumors, though unconfirmed, have fueled a frenzy of memes and commentary, with Musk’s supporters hailing him as a “genius” and detractors accusing him of rigging the process.
Goldberg, visibly shaken during The View’s March 17 episode, addressed the results indirectly. “I don’t put stock in these tests,” she said, her voice trembling. “They don’t measure heart, wisdom, or what I’ve been through. But I showed up, and that’s more than some folks can say.”
The fallout has been nothing short of explosive. On X, Musk has leaned into the victory, posting cryptic messages like “Numbers don’t lie, but they sure can cry.” Meanwhile, The View’s audience has rallied around Goldberg, with co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar slamming Musk’s tactics as “bullying.”
Off-air, the show’s producers are reportedly scrambling to manage the PR crisis, as viewership spikes but advertiser concerns grow. Some speculate that Musk’s challenge was less about IQ and more about settling a score with The View, which has frequently criticized his political involvement and business ventures.
Critics argue the entire spectacle underscores a broader cultural obsession with quantifying intelligence, a debate that has raged since Musk’s IQ became a topic of public fascination.
A March 2025 New York Times article noted that Musk’s intelligence, often pegged at around 155 by unverified sources, has been weaponized to justify his influence, while detractors point to his controversial X posts as evidence of flawed judgment. Goldberg, for her part, has long championed emotional intelligence over academic metrics, a stance she reiterated on The View post-test.
As the dust settles, the Musk-Goldberg showdown has left an indelible mark on pop culture. It’s a clash of titans—tech versus talk show, data versus heart—that has captivated millions. Whether it’s a fleeting controversy or a defining moment remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the arena of public opinion, neither Musk nor Goldberg is backing down.
