Elon Musk’s temptation meme, explained

Elon Musk has long cultivated an image as a tech mogul, entrepreneur, and self-styled free speech champion, but his behavior often paints a different picture. His latest antics involve a rather bold and somewhat juvenile joke about purchasing MSNBC, a liberal-leaning network that’s part of Comcast. Musk shared a meme of the “temptation” variety, a well-worn internet image, suggesting that he might take over the news outlet—mimicking his earlier Twitter acquisition antics.

Despite the meme’s lighthearted tone, there’s a darker side to Musk’s public persona. While he portrays himself as a defender of free speech, his actions tell a different story. Under his ownership, Twitter, now rebranded as X, has seen a rise in hate speech and dangerous content, with a 71% drop in value as advertisers and users flee. Meanwhile, Musk has been known to shut down accounts and restrict content that doesn’t align with his views. The idea of him buying MSNBC could serve more as a power move to control narratives and silence critics, much like how Jeff Bezos’ acquisition of The Washington Post allowed him to shape media discussions.

Though Musk’s quip about buying MSNBC may appear to be a joke, his track record suggests that, in the bizarre landscape of American media and politics, such a move might not be as far-fetched as it seems. The line between joke and reality often blurs for Musk, and with his increasing partisanship and penchant for tantrums, it’s unclear just how much more influence he’ll attempt to gain over the media landscape.