Elon Musk Teases Interest in MSNBC Amidst Liberal Billionaire Speculation
In a surprising twist, billionaire Elon Musk has hinted at the possibility of acquiring MSNBC, sparking widespread speculation about the future of the liberal-leaning cable news channel. Musk, known for his provocative social media presence, has previously criticised MSNBC as “puerile propaganda” and labelled it “the utter scum of the Earth.” Over the weekend, Musk shared memes on X (formerly Twitter) jokingly suggesting a potential purchase of the network.
While many observers believe Musk’s posts are intended as satire, the idea has added to concerns among MSNBC staff, especially as Comcast, the channel’s parent company, moves to spin off its cable networks into a new entity called “SpinCo.” This restructuring is designed to improve Comcast’s financial positioning but has inadvertently stoked fears of potential sales or acquisitions.
According to insiders, several liberal-leaning billionaires have expressed preliminary interest in MSNBC, offering a counterbalance to figures like Musk. However, Comcast has clarified that the channel is not for sale, and analysts note that the tax-free nature of the SpinCo spinoff would make an immediate sale complicated.
“Typically, such structures require a waiting period before divestment to preserve tax benefits,” noted Benjamin Swinburne, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, which is advising Comcast. Furthermore, executives at SpinCo reportedly plan to pursue acquisitions rather than selling assets like MSNBC, citing the channel’s loyal audience as a strategic asset in cable distribution negotiations.
Musk’s comments, however, have continued to generate attention. His posts echo his earlier approach to acquiring Twitter, where he famously tweeted, “How much is it?” before purchasing the platform. Over the weekend, Musk engaged in online banter with Donald Trump Jr. and podcast host Joe Rogan, who jokingly offered to replace MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow.
The light-hearted posts mask a deeper concern among media analysts: the concept of “media capture.” This term refers to the consolidation of media under aligned billionaires, a phenomenon observed in countries like Hungary, where far-right allies of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gained control of media outlets to serve political ends.
Ian Bassin, executive director of Protect Democracy, recently warned that “autocratic capture” could become a growing threat in the United States. In a similar vein, Hungarian politician-turned-analyst Gábor Scheiring argued that liberal billionaires should act proactively to prevent conservative dominance of the media landscape.
Not all billionaires are keen on entering the cable news fray, however. Mark Cuban, a prominent entrepreneur and advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris, dismissed the idea of acquiring MSNBC. “There’s little anyone can do to change the impact of linear TV news,” Cuban remarked, adding that he’d rather focus on platforms like Bluesky, a competitor to X, to encourage diverse viewpoints.
For now, the speculation around MSNBC remains just that—speculation. As Comcast works to finalise the SpinCo restructuring over the next year, the network’s leadership appears focused on stability and growth rather than any immediate sale. Musk’s teasing, while attention-grabbing, underscores broader concerns about the polarisation and potential consolidation of the American media landscape.
