Joe Rogan and Elon Musk Stir Controversy with MSNBC Takeover Jokes

A humorous exchange on the X platform between the world’s most popular podcast host, Joe Rogan, and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, sparked a heated debate about the future of MSNBC, a cable news network known for its liberal leanings. The conversation began when Musk jokingly floated the idea of buying MSNBC following Comcast’s announcement that it would spin off several NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC, into a separate company. Rogan quickly joined in, offering to replace Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC’s prominent anchors, with a tongue-in-cheek promise to “wear the same outfit and glasses, and tell the same lies.” These remarks not only ignited excitement among some conservative figures but also highlighted the challenges MSNBC faces amid a shifting media landscape.

Background: Comcast Spins Off MSNBC and Other Cable Networks

On November 20, 2024, Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, announced plans to spin off several cable networks, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, E!, Syfy, Oxygen, and Golf Channel, into an independent company tentatively called “SpinCo.” This move marks a significant shift in the traditional media industry, as MSNBC, long associated with NBC News, will no longer be under the direct management of this news division. According to Comcast, the spin-off aims to foster growth for these channels by providing financial and strategic flexibility, particularly as cable networks face declining viewership and competition from digital platforms.

However, the announcement has created uncertainty within MSNBC. During a staff meeting, Mark Lazarus, who will lead SpinCo, admitted he was unsure whether MSNBC would need to rebrand, as it may no longer be affiliated with NBC. Questions about independent news gathering and verification processes separate from NBC News also arose, heightening concerns about the channel’s future.

Musk and Rogan: A Shocking Exchange

The X exchange began when Donald Trump Jr. posted a misleading claim that Comcast was selling MSNBC, urging Musk to buy the channel with the comment: “Hey @elonmusk, I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Musk responded playfully: “How much is it?” and later continued the jest, musing about purchasing MSNBC to transform it into a channel that “reports the top stories from X each day” with a “citizen journalism” model.

Joe Rogan jumped into the fray, commenting on Musk’s post: “If you buy MSNBC, I would like Rachel Maddow’s job. I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies.” Musk replied succinctly: “Deal.” These remarks, though lighthearted, quickly went viral, drawing attention from both supporters and critics. Some conservative figures, such as comedian Tim Young and author Jim Hanson, expressed enthusiasm. Young wrote: “Please God make this happen,” while Hanson remarked: “Can you imagine the freakout level on the Left right now? They know Elon could do this on a whim.”

Author Carol Roth joined the fun, suggesting a spot on ABC’s “The View,” which she dubbed “The Normal View.” These comments reflect a sentiment among some conservative circles that view MSNBC as a symbol of liberal media they often criticize. However, Musk and Rogan’s posts also sparked controversy, with some arguing they were disrespectful to Maddow, a veteran journalist with over two decades of experience.

Rachel Maddow and MSNBC’s Declining Viewership

Rachel Maddow, host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, was the target of Musk and Rogan’s jest. Her program, airing Monday evenings, has long been one of the network’s flagship shows, known for its sharp political analysis and frequent criticism of conservative figures, particularly President-elect Donald Trump. However, since Trump’s election victory in November 2024, Maddow’s viewership has plummeted. According to Nielsen, “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 1.4 million viewers since the election, a 41% drop from its earlier figures. In the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic, the decline was even steeper, falling 50% from 236,000 to 118,000.

This downturn is not unique to Maddow but reflects broader challenges for MSNBC. Since Election Day, the network has averaged just 521,000 daily viewers, a 38% drop from its 2024 pre-November 5 average. Some analysts attribute this to audience fatigue with Trump-focused content and a shift in media consumption preferences.

Despite these challenges, Maddow recently signed a new contract with MSNBC, agreeing to a $5 million pay cut to remain with the network for the foreseeable future. This move was seen as an effort to stabilize MSNBC’s team amid uncertainty. However, Musk and Rogan’s jokes, coupled with rumors of a potential sale, have intensified pressure on Maddow and her colleagues.

The Truth Behind the Musk-MSNBC Buyout Rumors

While Musk and Rogan’s posts created a social media frenzy, there is no evidence that MSNBC is up for sale. Comcast clarified that the spin-off of its cable networks, including MSNBC, into SpinCo is a restructuring strategy, not a move to sell assets. A Comcast spokesperson emphasized: “We look forward to executing on the cable networks spin-off plan, creating a new company owned by our shareholders—none of these assets are for sale.”

Moreover, SpinCo’s tax-free spin-off structure means any major sale within the next two years would trigger significant tax issues, making a near-term purchase by Musk unlikely. However, Musk’s history—particularly his acquisition of Twitter (now X) after joking about it on social media—has led some to believe he might seriously consider the idea.

Sources also indicate that some liberal-leaning billionaires have reached out to MSNBC to express interest in acquiring the network, as a countermeasure to the possibility of figures like Musk taking it over. This suggests that, while Musk’s jest may not lead to an actual deal, it has sparked serious discussions about MSNBC’s future.

Impact and Reactions

The Musk-Rogan exchange elicited a range of reactions. For their supporters, it was an opportunity to mock MSNBC and the liberal programming they view as biased. However, others, including some MSNBC staff, expressed anxiety about the network’s future, particularly as rumors and memes proliferated, such as a doctored video falsely depicting Maddow crying over Musk’s meme. The video, actually edited footage from 2018 when Maddow was emotional about immigration issues, was used to amplify the misleading narrative.

Internally at MSNBC, the mood is described as a mix of optimism about potential new investment from SpinCo and unease about the changes ahead. Some journalists worry that decoupling from NBC News could weaken the network’s reporting capabilities, especially as MSNBC relies heavily on NBC’s reporters and resources.

Conclusion

The playful banter between Joe Rogan and Elon Musk about buying MSNBC and replacing Rachel Maddow has shed light on the challenges facing the network: declining viewership, internal uncertainty, and pressure from a rapidly changing media landscape. While there’s no indication Musk will actually purchase MSNBC, his and Rogan’s comments have fueled discussions about the network’s future and the role of influential media figures in shaping public discourse. For Maddow and MSNBC, the road ahead will require adapting to an evolving media environment while maintaining their core identity.