There's no statutory limit on damages for defamation per se under California law. It's literally whatever the jury decides is appropriate, modified by what the judge thinks is reasonable.

EDIT: added the "per se" since regular defamation requires proof of damages but the per se form does not.

But in reality there is a limit. The jury can say $2 Trillion. What is the largest award ever that made it past appeals? Being called a pedophile publicly by Elon Musk is as bad as it gets, but it's still a personal thing, not a loss of $Xx billion in sales or brand name.

Personally I think Musk needs an intervention, something not right with him and he needs to chill out, detox or whatever for a few months.

If Musk offers a huge reward, you'll see Pattya Beach hotel and bar owners checking decades old security cassettes.

You are still considered inocent until proofen and found guilty. Which is agood thing IMHO.