Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

Ciara O'Rourke
By Ciara O'Rourke October 24, 2024

Story about Elon Musk buying CNN originated on a satire site

Read in Español

If Your Time is short

  • This claim isn’t true. It originated on a self-described satire site.

In October 2022, Elon Musk closed a $44 billion deal to buy Twitter, which he later renamed X. 

Two years later, does he have his sights set on CNN?

"Elon Musk reportedly eyeing CNN acquisition: ‘I’ll fix the media, one network at a time,’" an Oct. 20 Threads post said.

It was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)

This claim originated on SpaceXMania, which posts what it describes as "the freshest fake news."

Sign up for PolitiFact texts

The headline of the fake Oct. 18 news story is identical to the claim in the Threads post. But unlike the post, the story is labeled "satire."

We found no credible evidence, such as news stories or public statements from Musk, to corroborate this claim as authentic. 

We rate it False.

 

Our Sources

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Ciara O'Rourke

Story about Elon Musk buying CNN originated on a satire site

Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!

In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.

Sign me up