Concerns over Elon Musk’s influence on social media were put in check during a CNN panel when one pundit used an in-house example to squash the narrative.
“We reported it on this network.”
(Video Credit: CNN)
Following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, the fate of some corporate media outlets has been called into question over plummeting ratings. As the world’s richest man mused a purchase of MSNBC, efforts from CNN talking heads to fearmonger over the free speech absolutist’s sway on public discourse found senior political commentator Scott Jennings reminding them that their own network had detailed how Musk had made X “far more evenly divided.”
While claiming that MSNBC wouldn’t be up for sale despite Comcast’s announcement that it was spinning off a series of properties into a new publicly traded company, CNN contributor Cari Champion decried how she was allegedly treated on X as part of a broader suggestion that Musk’s ownership had made the platform divisive.
When he was afforded the opportunity to weigh in on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” Jennings pointed out how corporate media already are “propaganda arms of political ideologies” before countering Champion, “And also, I heard what you’re saying about X. I saw a survey this week — it’s now the most ideologically balanced user platform of any platform.”
“You’re gonna be embarrassed when I tweet that after the show,” he went on as she contended, “Scott, stop. Stop, it’s too early, I just sat down. I’ve only been here for two minutes… You cannot say that.”
“Who’s the source?” challenged Champion as he shot back, “We reported it on this network.”
Still, she tried, “It’s not accurate and you know it.”
As it happened, only days earlier, CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten had not only covered Musk’s favorability on the network but also showed, per data from the Pew Research Center, how since his acquisition the once heavily Democrat Party platform was now nearly evenly split among those using it for news.
Elon Musk is winning, even if his popularity ratings are down.
He’s remade X/Twitter in his image… Turning it from a Democratic bastion to one that is far more evenly divided (& friendlier to the GOP).
Moreover, Musk’s wealth has ballooned in ways that are tough to imagine. pic.twitter.com/CobSoYuiaY
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) November 19, 2024
Further in the debate, Jennings challenged Champion, “How much government regulation of the First Amendment are you for?” prompting her to conflate restrictions the owners of CNN might have for their contributors regarding the digital town square of X.
While some lauded the commentator for his latest bubble burst of leftist talking points, others found the argument against Musk owning MSNBC was supported by Champion contending Bill Gates’ control of the network would be ok, “because he’s sane.”
“Omg! They think Bill Gates is sane? Wtf? Well…maybe he’s sane, technically. But that doesn’t make him less evil,” argued one account. “Plus billionaires own news platforms, literally all over the planet. Do these women have functional brains?”
Omg! They think Bill Gates is sane? Wtf? Well… maybe he’s sane, technically. But that doesn’t make him less evil. Plus billionaires own news platforms, literally all over the planet. Do these women have functional brains? https://t.co/z6UYad2ZmN
— Sandy: (@sandramay353) November 26, 2024
it’s not the first time he’s answered that same question “where did you hear that?” with “right here on cnn”
— smith (@fullcontactman) November 26, 2024
Jennings is fantastic! I can’t imagine how he maintains his composure with the whack jobs he works with.
— Adam Oney (@oneystar) November 26, 2024
Haha, that’s priceless! CNN getting called out by their own source—that’s some next-level irony right there. Looks like even they can’t deny the shift happening on !
— Silverback_Savage (@Agback_Savage) November 26, 2024
They lost me at “Bill Gates is sane”
— Based Electrician⚡️ (@RyanHugeBrain) November 26, 2024
Well, guess who’s got the receipts, CNN itself.
— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) November 26, 2024
- CNN’s Jake Tapper shut down by GOP senator when he peddles Hegseth ‘drinking problem’ narrative - December 8, 2024
- Kristen Welker shocked when Trump says ALL Jan. 6 committee members ‘should go to jail’ - December 8, 2024
- Two Calif. kindergartners shot at Christian school over alleged Gaza ‘genocide’ - December 8, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.