Musk Jokes About Buying MSNBC Following Trump Jr.’s Suggestion

Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has hinted at the possibility of acquiring the left-leaning U.S. news network MSNBC. This came after Donald Trump Jr. jokingly suggested the idea in response to a claim that MSNBC’s parent company, Comcast, might put the network up for sale.

Trump Jr. tagged Musk in a post, saying, “Hey Elon Musk, I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Musk replied with his trademark humor, asking, “How much does it cost?”—a callback to a similar remark he made before buying Twitter. Musk later added, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” punctuating the comment with a laughing emoji. He followed up with another quip: “Maybe I should show up there with a sink,” referencing his viral “let that sink in” stunt when he took over Twitter.

Comcast Restructures Media Holdings

Comcast recently announced a shake-up in its media properties, planning to form a new publicly traded company for MSNBC, E!, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, SYFY, and the Golf Channel. This move comes as the telecommunications giant refocuses on core brands like NBC and Bravo. Brian L. Roberts, Comcast’s CEO, stated the restructuring would position these networks for future growth.

MSNBC Ratings Decline

MSNBC has faced a significant drop in viewership, particularly after Donald Trump’s return to the White House. According to The New York Times, the network’s ratings suffered further after “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski met Trump at Mar-a-Lago to initiate a dialogue. The meeting reportedly alienated some of MSNBC’s core audience.

Musk’s Media Influence and Free Speech Campaign

Musk’s 2022 acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion transformed the platform into a haven for free-speech advocates, including right-leaning voices. While this shift initially drove advertisers away, many returned following Trump’s electoral victory. Musk’s commitment to free speech aligns with Trump’s frequent criticism of media outlets like MSNBC, which he has accused of catering to Democrats and left-liberal audiences.

Whether Musk’s interest in MSNBC is genuine or another of his provocative jokes remains to be seen. However, his track record of turning seemingly outlandish ideas into reality—such as his purchase of Twitter—keeps the possibility intriguing.