DINH DOONG

In a move that has shocked media insiders and sent Twitter into a frenzy, Elon Musk is reportedly considering buying ABC, with one clear mission: to “set things straight.” And in typical Musk fashion, his first order of business would be firing longtime ABC anchor David Muir, the face of World News Tonight. The decision, it seems, stems from Muir’s role in the controversial presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, where 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 close associates in a private conversation. “David Muir is just the beginning. ABC needs a reboot, and I’m ready to hit the reset button.”

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.”

Muir has not publicly responded to the rumors of Musk’s potential buyout or the possibility of being ousted from his position. However, those close to the anchor say he’s taking the news in stride, knowing full well that Musk’s plans are far from a done deal.

“David’s been in this business a long time,” said one ABC insider. “He knows how to handle pressure, and he’s not about to let some billionaire tech mogul push him out without a fight.”

Still, the prospect of Musk buying ABC—and firing Muir—has sent shockwaves through the network. Some staffers are reportedly concerned about what Musk’s takeover could mean for journalistic integrity, while others are excited about the possibility of working for someone as innovative (and unpredictable) as Musk.

As news of Musk’s potential ABC buyout spread, reactions from the public have been predictably divided. Supporters of Musk, particularly those who share his disdain for mainstream media, have hailed the move as a long-overdue shakeup of a broken system.

“Finally, someone is going to take on the media!” one Musk fan tweeted. “David Muir’s been coasting for too long. It’s time for someone to bring real change, and Musk is the guy to do it.”

On the other hand, critics of Musk’s plan argue that his takeover of a major news network could spell disaster for journalism. With Musk’s well-documented tendency to clash with reporters and control the narrative on Twitter/X, some fear that ABC under Musk’s leadership would become more of a propaganda machine than a trusted news source.

“Elon Musk owning a news network? What could possibly go wrong?” one journalist sarcastically commented. “This is a man who blocks reporters 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 just another case of the billionaire stirring the pot for 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 auto 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 staffers, including David Muir, are left wondering whether they’ll be working for the world’s richest man in the near future—and what that might mean for the future of journalism.