Elon Musk Avoids Tough Questions, Critics Say, as Media Appearances Skew Friendly
Two years after Elon Musk’s high-profile acquisition of Twitter – now X – critics say the billionaire entrepreneur has largely avoided challenging interviews, opting instead for media platforms and figures who offer praise rather than scrutiny.
Back in April 2023, Musk signaled an intent to engage with a variety of media outlets, tweeting: “Am doing interviews across the political spectrum.” He appeared on platforms like the BBC and Tucker Carlson Tonight, framing his outreach as balanced.
Since then, however, his media engagements have skewed overwhelmingly toward favorable ground. Musk has appeared on Fox News multiple times and has been interviewed by allies like podcast host Joe Rogan and Republican Senator Ted Cruz. These conversations have largely celebrated Musk’s ventures without raising probing questions – especially regarding his increasing involvement in politics and government advisory roles, including work with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency under former President Donald Trump.
He’s also been featured in events aligned with conservative and right-leaning ideologies, including Italy’s Lega party conference and the Dubai World Governments Summit. On X, Musk has regularly joined live Spaces sessions, frequently in support of political candidates or causes he backs.
The closest Musk has come to a contentious exchange in recent times was a 2024 interview with former CNN anchor Don Lemon. During the conversation, Lemon questioned Musk about X’s political direction, his stance on diversity, and controversial public statements. The fallout was swift: Lemon’s show deal with X was canceled soon after.
“I’ve interviewed presidents and convicts, and no one has been more sensitive or defensive than Elon Musk,” Lemon said at the time. “He’s not accustomed to being challenged — especially by someone who doesn’t reflect his worldview.”
Musk has long had a fraught relationship with the media. During a 2023 BBC interview, he described it as a “love/hate” dynamic, admitting he leaned toward the latter. His disdain was evident when he famously removed the New York Times’ verification badge on X and replaced Twitter’s media inquiries auto-response with a poop emoji.
Today, there remains ambiguity over who, if anyone, handles Musk’s press interactions. Communications departments at his companies have been gutted, and media outlets frequently report no response to requests for comment – from either Musk’s teams or the White House, where he now holds advisory influence.
During the Lemon interview, Musk made his stance clear: “I don’t have to answer questions from reporters. The only reason I did this interview is because it’s on X, and you asked for it.”
As Musk continues to command influence in both tech and politics, critics argue that real accountability remains absent – especially if his interviews are limited to those who won’t push back.
