(Rightallegiance.com) – In a move that has both intrigued and amused media watchers, two of the most influential figures in the tech and media landscape—Elon Musk and Joe Rogan—have bandied about the idea of reinventing MSNBC if the liberal-leaning news network is sold by its parent company, Comcast. This week, Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), playfully suggested he might purchase MSNBC, sparking an unexpected and humorous exchange with Rogan, the host of the wildly popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.
The conversation began Friday when Musk shared a post about reports that Comcast was planning to spin off several NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC. In a typically cheeky tone, Musk asked his followers, “MSNBC is going up for sale. Should I buy it?” He added, “I would like to fire Rachel Maddow (for fun) and then turn it into a channel that reports the top stories from X each day. Citizen reporting on cable news!” Musk’s comment was met with immediate response, including from Rogan, who has often expressed his own disdain for the mainstream media.
Rogan, known for his irreverent humor and outspoken views, chimed in with a bold offer. “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,” Rogan wrote, riffing on the style and tone of MSNBC’s primetime anchor Rachel Maddow, who has been a central figure on the network for over a decade. Rogan’s comment quickly garnered attention and prompted Musk to reply with a simple, “Deal.”
The exchange between Musk and Rogan set social media ablaze, with many conservatives expressing excitement over the prospect of the network being radically rebranded. “Please God, make this happen,” wrote conservative comedian Tim Young. Jim Hanson, a conservative author, echoed the sentiment, remarking, “Can you imagine the freak out level on the Left right now? They know Elon could do this on a whim.”
The joke between Musk and Rogan is particularly noteworthy in light of Comcast’s recent announcement that it plans to spin off several of its NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC, as part of a major restructuring effort. The move is poised to shake up the media landscape, as the once-stable alliance between MSNBC and NBC News will come to an end. While Comcast has not detailed the specifics of the potential sale, it is clear that the cable network, long known for its liberal editorial stance, will soon be on the market.
The timing of Musk and Rogan’s comments couldn’t be more pointed, as MSNBC has seen its ratings take a significant hit in recent years, particularly since the election of President Donald Trump. Maddow, who built her brand on her impassioned commentary and her frequent investigations into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia, has seen her audience shrink considerably in the wake of his presidency. According to recent Nielsen data, The Rachel Maddow Show has lost nearly half of its viewers since the 2020 election, with the program now averaging just 1.4 million viewers per night, a 41% decline from previous years.
This decline is even more pronounced in the coveted 25-54 age demographic, where Maddow’s show has seen its audience drop by 50%. From an average of 236,000 viewers in 2024, the show now attracts just 118,000 in this key age group. With MSNBC’s viewership in decline and its future uncertain, Musk’s joke about taking over the network and turning it into a conservative-leaning outlet has taken on a certain resonance among disillusioned conservatives who feel that the mainstream media is skewed against their views.
As the speculation continues to swirl about Comcast’s plans for MSNBC, the conversation between Musk and Rogan has only amplified the uncertainty surrounding the future of cable news. Musk, who has been outspoken about his disdain for traditional media outlets, has repeatedly suggested that the future of news lies in more decentralized, citizen-driven platforms like X (formerly Twitter). A rebranded MSNBC under Musk’s ownership, where “top stories from X” are featured daily, could represent his vision of a new media ecosystem—a far cry from the established norms of corporate-controlled news.
The idea of Rogan replacing Maddow on MSNBC is an equally provocative suggestion. Rogan, with his massive following and freewheeling style, has been a critic of mainstream media for years, often inviting guests from across the political spectrum and questioning established narratives. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, boasts millions of listeners per episode and has made Rogan one of the most powerful voices in media today. If Musk were to acquire MSNBC and turn it into a more independent, less conventional news outlet, Rogan could very well be the face of that transformation.
Musk, for his part, seems to be enjoying the speculative buzz surrounding the possibility. In a post on Sunday morning, he shared a meme showing himself resisting the urge to buy MSNBC, further fueling the ongoing conversation. While it’s unclear whether Musk’s playful musings are anything more than an exercise in trolling, the notion of a billionaire entrepreneur taking control of a major cable news outlet has captured the imagination of many.
Conservative figures have embraced the idea with gusto, with some suggesting that such a move could mark the beginning of a much-needed overhaul of mainstream media. Carol Roth, an author and commentator, even quipped that she would be interested in joining a reimagined version of The View, suggesting, “I’d like to throw my hat in the ring for a panelist spot on ‘The Normal View.’”
As the future of MSNBC hangs in the balance, the Musk-Rogan exchange represents just one of many scenarios that could play out in the rapidly changing media landscape. Whether or not Musk seriously pursues the idea of acquiring the network remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the media world is watching closely. The impending sale of MSNBC is likely to be one of the biggest stories in the media industry in the coming months, and Musk and Rogan’s antics have added an unexpected layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
As for Maddow, who has remained a key figure at MSNBC despite her declining viewership, her future at the network remains uncertain. Though she recently signed a new contract with Comcast, the changing dynamics at MSNBC could signal a shift in both the network’s content and its leadership. Whether Rogan or anyone else will replace her remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation about MSNBC’s future is only just beginning.