Media Mogul in Making? Elon Musk Eyes MSNBC Purchase, Sparking Industry Buzz
As a news reporter covering the latest developments in media acquisitions, I can report that Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has sparked intense speculation about potentially acquiring MSNBC, following a playful social media exchange that mirrors his historic Twitter purchase.
The buzz began when Donald Trump Jr. responded to reports that Comcast was putting MSNBC up for sale. In what seemed like a replay of the 2017 Twitter scenario, Musk responded with his now-famous question: “How much does it cost?” This simple query carries extra weight, given that it’s the phrase he used before his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022.
Comcast’s recent announcement adds credibility to the possibility. The telecommunications giant plans to spin off channels into a new publicly traded company, including MSNBC, E!, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, SYFY, and the Golf Channel. Comcast’s chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts frames this as a strategic move to boost growth potential.
The timing is fascinating, given MSNBC’s current challenges. The network has seen significant rating drops, especially following Donald Trump’s recent election victory. The situation worsened after Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski’s controversial Mar-a-Lago visit to meet with Trump.
Adding fuel to the fire, popular podcast host Joe Rogan joined the conversation with a bold proposition. Rogan publicly expressed interest in taking over Rachel Maddow’s position on the network, even joking about mimicking her signature style. Donald Trump Jr. followed suit, playfully suggesting he could replace Lawrence O’Donnell.
Considering Musk’s track record with X, one can see that his potential MSNBC acquisition could signal major changes. Under his leadership, X underwent significant transformations, including massive staff reductions and shifts in content moderation policies. Once dominated by left-leaning voices, the platform has evolved into what many consider a hub for conservative viewpoints.
The financial implications are worth noting. While X’s value reportedly dropped from the $44 billion purchase price to approximately $9.4 billion, Musk claims advertisers have returned following Trump’s election victory. This could influence his approach to any potential MSNBC deal.
Musk’s interest in MSNBC aligns with his stated mission of promoting “free speech.” His cryptic follow-up tweet, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” accompanied by a laughing emoji, suggests he sees potential beyond mere business opportunities.
Industry experts closely watch this situation, remembering how Musk’s seemingly casual Twitter inquiry in 2017 led to one of the recent most significant media acquisitions.
While it’s too early to predict whether this will result in an actual purchase, the mere possibility has already sparked intense discussion about the future of mainstream media ownership and editorial independence.
As this story develops, one thing remains clear: Elon Musk continues to shake up traditional media landscapes, keeping industry insiders and the public guessing about his next move.
Whether this becomes another significant acquisition or remains a social media moment, it has already highlighted the ongoing evolution of America’s media landscape.