Elon Musk’s MSNBC Buyout Rumor and Joe Rogan’s Rachel Maddow Jab Spark Media Frenzy

Aprovocative video titled “Elon Musk Suggests He’ll BUY MSNBC, Joe Rogan Will REPLACE Rachel Maddow” surfaced on Rumble, igniting a whirlwind of speculation and polarizing reactions across social media platforms like X. The video, posted by Timcast IRL, captured a playful exchange between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and podcaster Joe Rogan, sparked by Donald Trump Jr.’s suggestion that Musk purchase MSNBC amid rumors of its potential sale by Comcast. Rogan’s tongue-in-cheek offer to take Rachel Maddow’s primetime slot, complete with a jab about mimicking her style and “telling the same lies,” fueled both conservative glee and liberal outrage. While the exchange was largely satirical, it tapped into deeper tensions about media ownership, ideological divides, and MSNBC’s uncertain future. This article dissects the rumor, the reactions, and its implications for the media landscape as of April 2025.

The Origin of the Rumor

The rumor began with Comcast’s November 2024 announcement that it would spin off several NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC, into a new entity dubbed “SpinCo,” as reported by CNN Business. This move, driven by declining ratings and a shifting media landscape, led to speculation that MSNBC might be up for sale. Donald Trump Jr. seized on the news, posting on X, “Hey @elonmusk, I have the funniest idea ever!!!” to which Musk responded, “How much does it cost?” Rogan then jumped in, writing, “If you buy MSNBC I would like Rachael [sic] Maddow’s job. I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies,” prompting Musk’s enthusiastic “Deal 🔥🚀🤣.”

The exchange, while clearly humorous, was amplified by conservative outlets and social media, with the Timcast video framing it as a serious possibility. Posts on X, such as one from @FoxNews on November 24, 2024, noted Rogan’s offer to “adopt Maddow’s signature look,” while @mollie_don quipped, “Can we call her Rachel MadNow?” However, fact-checking by Snopes and PolitiFact confirmed the claim was satirical, originating from a SpaceX Fanclub Facebook page that explicitly labeled it as fiction. No evidence suggests Musk has pursued a purchase or that Rogan would replace Maddow.

The Context: MSNBC’s Struggles and Maddow’s Role

MSNBC’s challenges provided fertile ground for the rumor. The network’s ratings have plummeted since the 2024 election, with The Rachel Maddow Show averaging 1.4 million viewers post-election, a 41% drop, and losing 50% of its 25–54 demographic, per Fox News. The spin-off plan, coupled with layoffs and the cancellation of shows like The ReidOut, reported by Variety in February 2025, has fueled perceptions of decline. Maddow, MSNBC’s highest-paid anchor at $25 million annually, has been a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from conservatives who view her as emblematic of liberal media bias.

Musk’s trolling of MSNBC, calling it “the utter scum of the Earth” and accusing it of “peddling puerile propaganda,” aligns with his broader critique of mainstream media. His purchase of Twitter (now X) for $44 billion in 2022 and subsequent transformation of the platform into a right-leaning hub raised fears of “media capture,” a concern echoed by CNN Business in the context of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Rogan, whose Joe Rogan Experience podcast commands millions of listeners, added fuel with his provocative jab at Maddow, reflecting his disdain for traditional media’s gatekeeping.

Social Media and Media Reactions

The Musk-Rogan exchange set X ablaze, with conservatives reveling in the prospect of a shake-up. Comedian Tim Young posted, “Please God make this happen,” while conservative author Jim Hanson wrote, “Can you imagine the freak out level on the Left right now?” On Rumble, the Timcast video garnered significant views, with comments echoing the sentiment that Musk could “fix” MSNBC by ousting Maddow. A manipulated video falsely showing Maddow crying over the rumor, debunked by Hindustan Times, amassed over 5.5 million impressions, further stoking conservative glee.

Liberals, however, decried the narrative as a dangerous fantasy. A post on Reddit’s r/EnoughMuskSpam called Rogan “partly responsible for the upcoming destruction of America,” accusing him of supporting policies that harm the working class. On X, @fiercefreckled warned that Musk’s joking about buying MSNBC reflects a lack of safeguards like the Fairness Doctrine, posing a threat to news integrity. Progressive users also pointed out the doctored video, with one noting, “It’s fake… a doctored video of this,” as reported by Times of India.

Mainstream media outlets like Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone framed Musk’s comments as trolling, with the latter noting his promotion of the fake Maddow video and X’s declining user base post-election. Fox News covered Rogan’s offer with a conservative slant, highlighting Maddow’s ratings drop, while Hindustan Times emphasized the satirical nature of the rumor. The polarized coverage underscores the media’s role in amplifying or debunking such narratives.

The Broader Implications

The Musk-Rogan-Maddow saga, though rooted in jest, raises serious questions about media ownership and influence. Musk’s history of acquiring and reshaping platforms like X suggests he could, in theory, pursue MSNBC, though no credible reports confirm such plans. Times Now noted that conservatives like Tim Young see a Musk-led MSNBC as a potential industry-leaning network, while Rolling Stone warned of a “MAGA megaphone.” The concept of “media capture,” where powerful figures buy outlets to push agendas, looms large, especially given Musk’s role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

For MSNBC, the rumor exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. The network’s ratings struggles and corporate restructuring, as reported by The Hill, make it a target for speculation. Maddow, despite her ratings drop, remains a pivotal figure, with a new contract ensuring her presence, per Fox News. Rogan’s jab, while satirical, highlights the cultural divide between traditional journalism and the rising influence of podcasters and independent media, as seen in Rumble’s growing user base (Rumble.com, 2025).

The incident also reflects the power of X and Rumble to shape narratives. Musk’s 300 posts over a single weekend, many about MSNBC, demonstrate his ability to drive conversation, even with unverified claims. The fake Maddow video’s virality, debunked by Snopes, underscores the challenge of combating misinformation in a polarized environment.

The Reality Check

Despite the buzz, the Musk buyout and Rogan replacement remain fictional. USA Today and PolitiFact confirmed the claim originated from a satirical post, and Comcast’s spin-off plan does not indicate a sale. Musk’s comments were performative, aimed at trolling MSNBC and energizing his base, while Rogan’s offer was a comedic dig, not a serious proposal. A Reddit user on r/conspiracy aptly noted, “There’s no way Joe Rogan wants to become a news anchor. Elon’s just saying shit that will make people mad.”

Conclusion: A Satirical Storm

The rumor that Elon Musk would buy MSNBC and replace Rachel Maddow with Joe Rogan, sparked by a November 2024 Rumble video, encapsulates the chaotic intersection of media, politics, and social media in 2025. While the exchange was satirical, it tapped into real tensions: MSNBC’s declining ratings, Musk’s media ambitions, and the cultural clash between traditional and independent voices. The frenzy on X and Rumble, amplified by conservative outlets and debunked by fact-checkers, highlights the power of viral narratives to shape perceptions, even when rooted in fiction. As MSNBC navigates its spin-off and the broader media landscape evolves, this episode serves as a reminder of the fragility of truth in an era of memes and provocation. For now, Maddow’s job is safe, Rogan remains a podcaster, and Musk’s MSNBC dreams are just that—dreams.