AAP FACTCHECK – False claims that Elon Musk has bought US broadcaster CNN for $3 billion spreading on social media are based on a satirical article that went viral.
While the billionaire bought social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for $US44 billion in 2022, there is no evidence he has bought the US news network.
The claim has been repeated widely online, including in a Facebook post featuring an image headlined: “Elon Musk Agrees to $3 Billion to Buy CNN.
“Elon Musk Reportedly Eyeing CNN Acquisition: ‘I’ll Fix the Media, One Network at a Time’,” the caption continued.
A similar claim was repeated by Argentina’s President Javier Milei and on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
However, the rumour appears to have originated as satire. USA Today reported the claim was posted by a Facebook page describing itself as ‘satire’ in November.
The original post, which appears to have been deleted, linked to an article detailing Mr Musk’s supposed forthcoming acquisition without providing any evidence.
That host website – Toan Canh 24H – has also posted several bizarre claims, some of which weren’t in English, about various high-profile people.
Claims Mr Musk was planning to buy CNN appear to have stemmed from an article published by the self-described ‘satire’ website SpaceXMania on October 18, 2024.
The story claimed Mr Musk was “rumored to be considering the acquisition of CNN” but did not mention that he had agreed to a $3 billion price, which appears to be a later embellishment.
The SpaceXMania website’s ‘About Us’ page declared its mission was to “bring you the freshest fake news, some sassy analysis, and a good dose of satire, all rolled into one crazy concoction that orbits around Elon Musk”.
“Every single article on our site is about as real as a unicorn sipping on a rainbow smoothie,” it said.
Another SpaceXMania disclaimer said: “We want to emphasize that NOTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS REAL!”
The claim in the Facebook post has also been debunked by Snopes and PolitiFact.
The Verdict
False – The claim is inaccurate.
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