The news, while not officially confirmed by Musk, has already sparked waves of speculation about what the billionaire would do with a major news network under his control. Known for his bold, unpredictable moves—from launching rockets with SpaceX to acquiring and overhauling Twitter/X—Musk’s latest plan could signal a dramatic shift in the world of mainstream media.
The seeds of this potential buyout were sown during the recent presidential debate, moderated by Muir and his ABC colleague Linsey Davis. The debate, which featured heated exchanges between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, became an instant flashpoint for controversy—primarily due to the moderators’ handling of Trump’s responses.
Throughout the debate, Muir fact-checked Trump several times, challenging his statements on topics ranging from immigration to the economy. Meanwhile, Harris appeared to glide through the debate with minimal interruptions, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Trump’s supporters, Musk among them.
“The moderators were completely one-sided,” Musk tweeted after the debate. “It was like watching a rigged game, and David Muir was the referee who had money on the other team.”
For Musk, the debate represented everything that’s wrong with modern journalism: biased reporting, partisan moderation, and a complete disregard for balanced coverage. And while his critique of Muir may have started as a post-debate rant, it has quickly snowballed into a full-blown campaign to take control of one of the biggest news networks in America.
If there’s one thing Musk is known for, it’s his ability to disrupt industries. Whether it’s electric cars, space travel, or social media, Musk has a knack for taking established systems and turning them on their heads. Now, it seems, his attention has shifted to the media industry, where he believes his unique brand of innovation is sorely needed.
“ABC is stuck in the past,” Musk reportedly told friends. “The way they cover news, the way they moderate debates—it’s all outdated. People don’t trust the media anymore, and for good reason. It’s time to change that.”
So, what would Musk’s ABC look like? Sources close to the billionaire say he envisions a media platform that blends traditional journalism with cutting-edge technology. Think AI-driven news anchors, real-time fact-checking powered by algorithms, and live viewer interaction during broadcasts via Twitter/X.
But Musk’s vision for ABC doesn’t stop there. According to insiders, he’s also toying with the idea of integrating SpaceX and Tesla content into the network’s programming, giving viewers behind-the-scenes access to rocket launches, electric vehicle innovations, and perhaps even live updates on Musk’s latest plans to colonize Mars.
“I want to bring news into the future,” Musk said. “Imagine tuning in to watch the news and getting updates from space at the same time. That’s where we’re headed.”
At the center of Musk’s media ambitions, of course, is the firing of David Muir, a fixture of ABC News for years. For many viewers, Muir is synonymous with credibility and professionalism, but for Musk, he represents everything that’s wrong with the mainstream media.
“Muir’s a dinosaur,” Musk reportedly said in a private meeting. “He’s been doing the same thing for years, and people are bored of it. The future of news isn’t some guy in a suit reading off a teleprompter. It’s dynamic, interactive, and, most importantly, fair.”
