In a move that has shocked media pundits and sent Twitter into a frenzy, Elon Musk is reportedly considering buying ABC, with a clear mission: “fix things.” And, as is his wont, his first order of business would be to fire longtime ABC anchor David Muir, the face of World News Tonight. The decision is reportedly due to Muir’s role in the contentious presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, in which Musk claims Muir “crossed the line” with his moderation tactics.
“ABC is broken. Journalism is broken. And who better to fix it than me?” Musk reportedly told those close to him in a private conversation. “David Muir is just the beginning. ABC needs a reset and I’m ready to hit the reset button.”
The news, though 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. Musk, known for his bold and unpredictable moves (from rocket launches with SpaceX to the acquisition and revamp of Twitter/X), could mark a drastic change in the world of traditional media.
The seeds of this potential buyout were sown during the recent presidential debate, moderated by Muir and her ABC colleague Linsey Davis. The debate, which included heated exchanges between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, instantly became a flashpoint of controversy, primarily due to the way the moderators handled Trump’s responses.
Throughout the debate, Muir fact-checked Trump several times, questioning his statements on topics ranging from immigration to the economy. Meanwhile, Harris seemed to glide through the debate with minimal interruptions — a fact that did not go unnoticed by Trump 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 is wrong with modern journalism: biased reporting, partisan moderation and an utter disregard for balanced coverage. And while his criticism of Muir may have started as a post-debate rant, it has quickly escalated into a full-blown campaign to take over one of America’s largest news networks.
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 head. 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 the news, the way they moderate debates, it’s all outdated. People don’t trust the media anymore, and rightly so. 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 combines traditional journalism with cutting-edge technology. Think AI-powered news anchors, algorithm-driven real-time fact-checking, and live interaction with viewers during broadcasts via Twitter/X.
But Musk’s vision for ABC doesn’t end 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 heart of Musk’s media ambitions is, of course, the firing of David Muir, a fixture at ABC News for years. To many viewers, Muir is synonymous with credibility and professionalism, but to Musk, he represents everything that is wrong with traditional media.
“Muir is a dinosaur,” Musk said in a private meeting. “He’s been doing the same thing for years and people are bored with it. The future of news is not a guy in a suit reading from a teleprompter. It’s dynamic, interactive and, most importantly, fair.”
Muir has not publicly responded to rumors about Musk’s possible buyout or the possibility of being ousted from his post. However, people close to the host say he is taking the news in stride, knowing full well that Musk’s plans are far from a fait accompli.
“David has been in this business for a long time,” said an ABC insider. “He knows how to handle pressure and he’s not going to let a billionaire tech mogul fire him without a fight.”
Still, the prospect of Musk buying ABC and firing Muir has sent shockwaves through the network. Some staffers are concerned about what Musk’s acquisition could mean for journalistic integrity, while others are excited about the prospect of working for someone as innovative (and unpredictable) as Musk.
As news of Musk’s potential purchase of ABC has spread, public reactions have predictably been divided. Musk’s supporters, particularly those who share his disdain for traditional media, have hailed the move as a long-overdue shake-up of a broken system.
“Finally someone is going to stand up to the media!” tweeted one Musk fan. “David Muir has been inactive for too long. It’s time for someone to bring real change, and Musk is the man to do it.”
On the other hand, critics of Musk’s plan argue that his acquisition of a major news network could spell disaster for journalism. With Musk’s well-documented tendency to antagonize journalists and control the narrative on Twitter/X, some fear that ABC, under Musk’s leadership, will become more of a propaganda machine than a reliable news source.
“Elon Musk owning a news network? What could possibly go wrong?” one reporter quipped. “This is a man who blocks journalists for asking tough questions. Imagine what he’ll do if he runs ABC.”
While Musk’s plans to buy ABC and fire David Muir are still in the rumor stage, there’s no denying that the prospect has captured the public’s imagination. Will Musk follow through on his threat to take control of the network, or is this another case of the billionaire stirring up a hornet’s nest to get attention?
Only time will tell, but if Musk’s track record is any indication, we can expect plenty of surprises along the way. After all, this is the man who turned Twitter/X upside down, revolutionized the automotive industry, and put humans on the path to Mars. If anyone can turn ABC into the future of media, it’s probably Musk.
For now, though, ABC employees, including David Muir, are left wondering whether they will be working for the world’s richest man in the near future and what that might mean for the future of journalism.
