WHAT WAS CLAIMED
Elon Musk has agreed to buy CNN for $3 billion.
OUR VERDICT
False. The claim originated on a satire website and there is no evidence Musk has agreed to buy CNN.
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.