Rumors of Elon Musk buying McDonald’s and CNN after Trump’s win are false, fueled by satire and online speculation.

The internet had been filled with viral claims linking Elon Musk to bold acquisition plans, buying McDonald’s and CNN after Trump won the recent election. Unverified posts on social media claim that Elon Musk wants to transform these iconic brands. Do the rumors hold water, or are they just another wave of internet hoaxes?

How Did the Rumors Originate?

A satirical Facebook post published in late October was the starting point: Musk had “officially announced” his plans to buy McDonald’s. The situation quickly escalated, with some netizens alleging Musk’s plans involved buying CNN for $3 billion to address the issue of perceived media bias. A satirical account, “Gridiron Glory,” further amplified the speculation when it stated that Musk was “reportedly eyeing CNN.” The post spread widely and didn’t help distinguish many people’s views on reality and humor.

Fuel to the fire came in the form of a cheeky suggestion from a user on X (formerly Twitter) for Musk to buy CNN or MSNBC, rebrand it as “xTV,” and restore journalism. Some asked him to just make CNN a conservative outlet. These posts were humorous, yet some interpreted them as actual proposals.

Musk’s History of Playful Tweets

Rumors that Elon Musk bought CNN and plans to buy McDonald’s fit the bill of a narrative of outlandish claims frequently associated with Musk. In 2022, it was reported that Musk himself, on Twitter, said that he was going “to buy McDonald’s to fix their ice cream machines,” but soon dismissed it saying, “Listen, I can’t do miracles.”.

More recently, a parodic account under Musk’s name went forth stating, “I’m going to buy CNN, Fox News, and every legacy media outlet then change their logos to ????????????????… Thoughts?” While patently absurd, some readers missed the boat on labeling it satire, feeding the ongoing narrative of Musk’s supposed takeover ambitions.

Why the Rumors Persist

These claims caught on partly because of Musk’s reputation for making bold, unpredictable moves: buying X and renaming it. Trump’s victory has renewed the fervor for politics, and Musk is doing all the things that fit into people’s dreams about rebalancing industries. For netizens who are skeptical of mainstream institutions, overhauling CNN and McDonald’s by Musk sounds very appealing.

Stories based on these assertions have been flagged as fake news on social media platforms, including Meta, for taking satire into the real world. The speedy spread of the tale, however, does suggest public curiosity at sensationalist tales of celebrities.

The Fact: Musk’s New Fixation

No reputable report has been made that claims Musk is going to acquire McDonald’s, CNN, or any other company. His current business activities remain within the management of Tesla, SpaceX, and X. Little to the public’s concern, the hilarious comments and satirical accounts about him have been kindling the fire, but there are no official statements or acts towards these claims.

This adds more to the rumors in a sense of baselessness because neither McDonald’s nor CNN has commented about these. Although Musk has proven his capability of making transformational acquisitions, there are no indications that he is looking into fast food or legacy media at this moment in time.

The Power of Misinformation

The truth behind the viral speculation that this time around Elon Musk is going to acquire McDonald’s and CNN epitomizes the amplifying role that the internet plays with unverified claims. While satire and humor often provoke engagement, in this case, it will bring readers to the wrong conclusion when taken out of context. In this case, it draws attention to the authenticity of the information, especially of such an influencer like Musk.

Conclusion:

No doubt, these rumors linking Elon Musk with plans to buy McDonald’s and CNN are purely manufactured. Starting from satirical posts and funny comments, some internet users realized that they were the real deal. Meanwhile, Musk does what he’s doing so far. McDonald’s ice cream machines are left untouched, and CNN’s programming remains intact. In the internet world where satire meets reality, which is more important than ever: fact versus fiction.