Elon Musk has a track record of using social media to hint at major business moves, a pattern that began notably with his acquisition of Twitter. In 2022, Musk tweeted about the value of Twitter, which eventually led to his $44 billion purchase and rebranding to X. Fast forward to November 2024, Musk once again sparked speculation with a tweet in response to Donald Trump Jr.’s post about the potential sale of MSNBC by Comcast due to declining ratings. Musk’s reply was simple yet direct: “How much it cost?” This question, similar to his approach with Twitter, suggests a potential interest in acquiring MSNBC. His tweet has ignited discussions because it’s more than just a casual inquiry; it’s Musk’s signature method of expressing interest in high-profile acquisitions.
How much does it cost?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2024
The implications of Musk buying MSNBC could be significant, considering his influence on media through X. It raises questions about the potential shift in editorial direction, possibly aligning MSNBC with more conservative viewpoints or at least diversifying its content. While no deal has been confirmed, Musk’s tweet has set the stage for speculation about the future of MSNBC under his ownership, potentially integrating it into his broader vision for media content distribution. Whether this will materialize into an actual acquisition or remain a speculative tweet is yet to be seen, but Musk’s simple query has undoubtedly stirred the conversation about media ownership and influence in the digital age.