When Twitter, in the eyes of many, became a “cesspool of progressiveness,” Elon Musk stepped in, acquiring the platform and steering it onto a new course. Now, whispers in the media world suggest Musk could take on another major player—MSNBC.
The speculation began after Wall Street Mav posted on X, formerly Twitter, claiming that MSNBC might soon be up for sale.
“Comcast is putting MSNBC up for sale. CNN just announced massive layoffs coming. Maybe the new owners will figure out that lying non-stop to your audience is a lousy business model,” the post read.
The post caught the attention of Donald Trump Jr., who tagged Musk, saying:
“Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!”
What followed was a simple yet explosive response from Musk, triggering a wave of speculation and debate. Prominent figures like podcaster Joe Rogan and conservative commentator Michael Knowles joined the conversation, offering their takes and even playfully vying for roles on the network.
A Firestorm of Responses
Donald Trump Jr. jokingly offered to take Rachel Maddow’s spot, promising to “wear the same outfit and glasses” and tell “the same lies.” Rogan quipped, “If you guys need a replacement for Rachel Maddow, I know a guy.”
Conservative pundit Michael Knowles joined the fray, while entrepreneur Mario Nawfal remarked:
“I hear it’s about $8 billion for the lot of them… but if you fire Maddow, you’d instantly save $30 million a year.”
Others, like Tim Pool, suggested entertainingly outlandish ideas:
“Alex Jones hosting would be the most entertaining outcome,” Pool mused.
Robby Starbuck chimed in with his own satirical suggestion:
“Hire a team of clowns to read the news 24/7. It will essentially be the same thing but much cheaper! After a week of fun, turn it over to host shows from X/with X user integration.”
Is MSNBC Really Up for Grabs?
The speculation gained traction when The Wall Street Journal reported that Comcast is considering spinning off its NBCUniversal-owned cable networks, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, and others. According to sources, these networks generated around $7 billion in revenue over the past year.
Comcast is expected to announce plans to separate its cable TV networks as part of a broader restructuring strategy. Once a crown jewel of the company, these assets are now seen as less critical in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Awkward Jokes from MSNBC Hosts
The rumors reached MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” where hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski reluctantly addressed the reports.
Scarborough joked about the uncertainty, saying:
“I could be completely wrong; we could all be fired a year from now. When this happens, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Brzezinski, attempting to maintain composure, added with a forced laugh:
“Or tomorrow.”
While the on-air banter sought to lighten the mood, the underlying tension was evident, signaling the uncertainty surrounding the network’s future.
Musk’s Media Moves?
If Musk were to step into the MSNBC arena, it could mark a seismic shift in the network’s direction, much like his impact on X. Whether he genuinely considers purchasing MSNBC or simply enjoys stirring conversation, his involvement has already sparked widespread debate about the future of mainstream media.
As media giants face mounting challenges, one thing is clear—if Elon Musk enters the arena, the industry may never be the same again.