(DailyVantage.com) – Podcast host Joe Rogan and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk sparked online buzz this week after joking about turning MSNBC into a conservative news outlet. The exchange began when Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), teased the idea of purchasing MSNBC following reports that Comcast may sell the liberal-leaning network.
“If you buy MSNBC, I would like Rachel Maddow’s job,” Rogan responded to Musk’s post on Friday. “I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies.” Musk replied simply, “Deal.” The playful banter comes amid reports that Comcast is exploring the possibility of spinning off MSNBC as part of a broader restructuring of NBCUniversal’s cable network portfolio.
Musk, known for his disruptive business ventures, added fuel to the speculation by musing about converting MSNBC into a platform prioritizing citizen journalism and featuring trending stories from X. “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” Musk quipped, hinting at his tendency to upend traditional industries. Rogan’s remark about replacing Maddow drew laughs from conservatives, many of whom pondered how Musk’s ownership could reshape the network.
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s star host, recently signed a new contract to stay with the network, but her ratings have plummeted following President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory earlier this month. Once a ratings powerhouse with her impassioned critiques of Trump, Maddow’s audience has shrunk by 41% since the election, averaging just 1.4 million viewers. In the key 25-54 demographic, her viewership has halved, fueling debates about MSNBC’s future.
While no serious plans have been announced, the idea of Musk and Rogan reinventing MSNBC has triggered mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Whether the exchange is merely a joke or a hint at future ambitions, it highlights the evolving intersection of media and digital platforms.
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