Joe Rogan and Elon Musk Toy With Idea of Reinventing MSNBC
As Comcast moves to spin off MSNBC along with other NBCUniversal cable networks, the liberal-leaning news outlet has found itself at the center of an unexpected conversation between podcast superstar Joe Rogan and billionaire Elon Musk.
The two public figures have playfully speculated on how they could reshape the network if Musk were to purchase it.
Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) and the world’s wealthiest individual, jokingly floated the idea of buying MSNBC on his platform last week, responding to reports of Comcast’s plan to divest the network. Musk tweeted that the “most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” sparking a lively online debate.
Musk even suggested transforming MSNBC into a channel that reports trending stories from X, emphasizing citizen journalism.
“Should I buy it… I would like to fire Rachel Maddow (for fun) and then turn it into a channel that reports the top stories from X each day?” Musk stated.
Joe Rogan, host of the wildly popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, chimed in on Musk’s idea, humorously proposing to replace MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow while mimicking her signature style.
“If you buy MSNBC, I would like Rachel Maddow’s job. I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies,” Rogan joked in response to Musk’s post.
Musk replied, “Deal,” fueling further speculation and amusement online.
The banter sparked excitement among conservatives, with some seeing it as a humorous jab at legacy media. Comedian Tim Young commented, “Please God make this happen,” while conservative author Jim Hanson remarked on the potential uproar among liberals, saying:
“Can you imagine the freak out level on the Left right now? They know Elon could do this on a whim.”
Other prominent figures joined in on the fun. Author Carol Roth suggested renaming the liberal talk show The View to The Normal View and offered herself as a potential panelist.
Comcast’s decision to spin off MSNBC and other cable networks, including CNBC, Syfy, and Oxygen, comes amidst a broader reshaping of legacy media. MSNBC, known for its liberal programming led by anchors like Maddow and Joy Reid, has faced declining ratings, especially after its sharp focus on Donald Trump in recent years.
Maddow’s show has seen a 41% drop in overall viewership and a 50% decline among key demographics since Trump’s electoral defeat. With internal anxieties reportedly rising among staff, MSNBC’s next chapter remains uncertain.
While Musk’s musings about buying MSNBC appear to be in jest for now, his history suggests such ideas aren’t entirely off the table. The billionaire famously joked about buying Twitter years before acquiring it in 2022 for $44 billion.
With input from New York Post and FOX News.
