Fact Check: Did Rachel Maddow Really Cry Over Elon Musk Buying MSNBC?
3 min read
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Social media has been abuzz with claims that MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow broke down in tears during a live broadcast, allegedly in reaction to Elon Musk’s jokes about buying the news channel. However, while the video making rounds has garnered plenty of attention and memes, it turns out the clip is far from authentic.
The Viral Claim
The controversy began when Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), shared a humorous meme on his platform. The image depicted a priest struggling to resist temptation, with text overlaid on the priest reading, “Elon Musk trying not to buy,” and the MSNBC logo placed suggestively over a woman in the meme. Musk captioned the post with, “And lead us not into temptation….”
Watching Rachel Maddow freak out over Elon Musk posting memes about buying MSNBC made my morning pic.twitter.com/j4lbYCIWlO
— Isabella Maria DeLuca (@IsabellaMDeLuca) November 24, 2024
Shortly after, a video surfaced showing Maddow purportedly breaking down emotionally, with the same meme displayed during her segment. The clip appeared to suggest that Maddow was distraught over Musk’s joke about buying MSNBC amid speculation that its parent company, Comcast, was considering spinning off its cable channels into a new entity called SpinCo.
Social media users quickly jumped on the bandwagon, sharing the video with comments like:
“Some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen.”
“She’s crying because she knows her cash cow is coming to an end.”
“The Maddow Meltdown.”
The Truth Behind the Video
Despite the uproar, the video of Rachel Maddow crying over Elon Musk’s meme is not genuine. The footage was heavily edited, splicing Musk’s meme into an unrelated segment from 2018.
If I buy MSNBC, should I fire Rachel Maddow? pic.twitter.com/rKB6IsZM7Q
— Not Elon Musk (@iamnot_elon) November 22, 2024
In the original clip, Maddow became emotional while reporting on a tragic story about migrant children being separated from their parents and placed in shelters during the Trump administration. Her visible distress in that context was repurposed to align with Musk’s recent antics, misleading viewers into believing she was reacting to the billionaire’s joke.
Musk’s Media Jokes Add Fuel
Musk’s meme and accompanying comments come amid ongoing speculation about his growing influence over media narratives. The billionaire has previously purchased X and has been teasing further ventures, such as a potential acquisition of MSNBC. While the meme was playful, its circulation sparked intense reactions, with fans and critics alike debating Musk’s impact on journalism.
The viral claim about Rachel Maddow crying over Elon Musk’s MSNBC meme is entirely false. The edited clip illustrates how easily misinformation can spread online, especially when public figures like Musk are involved. For Maddow, the 2018 footage reflected genuine emotion over a serious humanitarian issue, which should not be conflated with lighthearted internet memes.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying viral content before accepting it as fact. Meanwhile, Musk’s teasing memes and cryptic comments continue to blur the lines between humor and speculation, keeping him at the center of social media conversations.
I do love this meme pic.twitter.com/1QXTWgcYNA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
