Elon Musk, the tech mogul known for his ventures into electric cars and space travel, recently stirred the media pot with a cheeky tweet about potentially buying MSNBC. This came on the heels of Comcast’s announcement to spin off several of its cable networks, including MSNBC, into a new entity tentatively named “SpinCo.”
Musk’s tweet, “And lead us not into temptation,” was a playful nod to his previous acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X. While there’s no formal indication that Musk intends to pursue an offer for MSNBC, his history of bold business moves keeps the speculation alive.
The meme showed a picture of a religious figured being temped with a scantily clad, woman leaning over in front of him.
Musk has not made any formal statements or public intent to buy MSNBC.
The prospect of Musk taking the helm at MSNBC raises intriguing questions. His overhaul of X involved significant staff reductions and a shift in platform dynamics. Could a similar approach revitalize a traditional news network like MSNBC?
Musk tweeted the idea about purchasing MSNBC after being approached by Donald Trump, Jr.
“Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Trump Jr.posted
“How much does it cost?” Musk replied.
“The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” said jokingly.
As for the network’s prominent figures—Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, and the “Morning Joe” duo, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski—their reactions would likely be a mix of curiosity and concern. Musk’s unconventional leadership style and emphasis on free speech might clash with the network’s established editorial direction, you might say.
Musk’s post made Maddow have a near nervous breakdown live on air.
Envisioning a “MuskNews” broadcast is both tantalizing and perplexing. Would it blend hard-hitting journalism with tech-driven innovation, or veer into uncharted territories of media experimentation? While the idea remains speculative, Musk’s influence on media narratives continues to captivate public imagination.