“Did Elon Musk buy MSNBC?” – it’s a question that’s been floating around the internet, especially after a number of wild claims started popping up on social media. Some say he paid $900 million for it. Others swear he’s planning to replace one of its top hosts. But here’s the thing – none of it’s true. Let’s dig into where this rumor came from, why it spread so fast, and what the real story is behind the headlines.

Elon Musk has never been shy about his opinions on media outlets. He’s called MSNBC “the utter scum of the earth” more than once, and recently said the network “peddles puerile propaganda.” That kind of fiery language makes for great headlines, but it also fuels speculation. When he recently posted something cryptic on social media that seemed to reference the network “going down,” people started connecting the dots – maybe a little too eagerly.

It didn’t help that some viral posts online claimed he had officially acquired the cable news channel. Some even said he planned to fire Joy Reid and bring in Joe Rogan as a replacement. But as it turns out, those posts came from unreliable or satirical sources. There’s been no official announcement from MSNBC, its parent company Comcast, or Musk himself confirming any kind of purchase.

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Table of Contents

• Elon Musk and MSNBC: The Backstory
• Where Did the Rumor Start?
• Why Do Rumors Like This Spread?
• What’s MSNBC’s Current Status?
• Elon Musk and His Media History
• FAQ Section

Elon Musk and MSNBC: The Backstory

It’s no secret that Musk has a complicated relationship with the media. Over the years, he’s criticized various outlets for what he calls “biased reporting” or “pushing narratives.” MSNBC, in particular, has drawn his ire more than once. He’s used strong language, calling the channel “scum” and accusing it of pushing propaganda. That’s probably why so many people think he might want to buy it – it makes for a great story.

Still, the reality is different. There’s no indication Musk has ever seriously considered purchasing MSNBC. Unlike Twitter – which he did buy and rebranded as X – MSNBC isn’t for sale. Its parent company, Comcast, recently announced it’s spinning off some of its cable properties like USA, Syfy, and E!, but MSNBC hasn’t been mentioned as part of that move.

Where Did the Rumor Start?

The origin of this rumor is a bit of a mess. Some of it started with a Facebook post claiming that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) lead and Tesla CEO had acquired MSNBC for $900 million. Others pointed to an Instagram post that said Musk would replace Joy Reid with Joe Rogan. Then there were X (formerly Twitter) posts and even a few from Alex Jones’ Infowars team that seemed to confirm the story.

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But when you dig a little deeper, none of these sources hold up. The posts were either unverified, taken out of context, or came from satirical websites. Even the timing is suspicious – many of these claims surfaced in early 2025, months after Musk made a similar joke about buying another media outlet. That earlier comment was clearly a joke – so why would this one be any different?

Why Do Rumors Like This Spread?

So, if there’s no truth to the claim, why did it go viral? A few reasons come to mind:

• Familiarity: Musk has already bought a major media platform – Twitter – and turned it into X. So it’s not a stretch to imagine he might do the same with a news network.
• Emotional appeal: For some, the idea of Musk “taking over” a liberal-leaning network like MSNBC sounds like poetic justice. It’s the kind of story people want to believe.
• Social media algorithms: Posts that spark strong reactions – whether positive or negative – tend to get more attention. It doesn’t matter if they’re true; what matters is engagement.

Combine those factors, and you’ve got the perfect storm for misinformation to spread like wildfire. The more people talk about something, the more real it seems – even if there’s no actual evidence to back it up.

What’s MSNBC’s Current Status?

As of now, MSNBC remains under the ownership of NBCUniversal, which is a subsidiary of Comcast. The network continues to operate as usual, with no signs of a change in leadership or ownership structure. The recent spinoff of some of Comcast’s cable properties has sparked speculation, but again, MSNBC hasn’t been mentioned in any of those plans.

There’s also no indication that Comcast is looking to sell the network. While the media landscape is always shifting, and companies frequently restructure their holdings, there’s nothing to suggest that MSNBC is going anywhere anytime soon.

Elon Musk and His Media History

Let’s not forget, Musk has already made waves in the media world by acquiring Twitter and turning it into X. That move gave him a powerful platform to shape public discourse and challenge mainstream narratives. But unlike Twitter, which he bought for around $44 billion, MSNBC isn’t a social media platform – it’s a full-fledged news network with a long history and a deeply ingrained brand identity.

Trying to buy a news channel like MSNBC would be a completely different challenge. It wouldn’t just be about money – it would involve regulatory hurdles, potential backlash from the public and advertisers, and a host of other issues. Musk may enjoy shaking things up, but that doesn’t mean he’s looking to do it in every corner of the media world.

FAQ Section

Has Elon Musk ever made a serious offer for MSNBC?

There’s no public record of Musk ever making a serious offer for MSNBC. All claims about a potential or completed acquisition have come from unverified sources or satirical websites. Neither Musk nor MSNBC has confirmed any kind of deal.

Why would people believe Elon Musk bought MSNBC?

Musk has a history of making bold, often provocative statements on social media. He’s also previously bought Twitter and rebranded it as X, which makes the idea of him acquiring another media outlet seem plausible – even if it’s not true. Add in his strong criticism of MSNBC, and it’s easy to see how rumors could start and spread quickly.

Is there any truth to the Joe Rogan replacing Joy Reid rumor?

No, there’s no evidence that Joe Rogan will be replacing Joy Reid or any other MSNBC host. That part of the rumor seems to have originated from a satirical or misleading post online. There’s been no official statement from MSNBC about any changes to its lineup related to Musk or Rogan.

If you’re curious to learn more about Musk’s media moves, click here to explore how he’s shaping digital communication. You can also read more about the ongoing changes in the media landscape and how tech billionaires are influencing news platforms.