In what has become a signature Elon Musk move, the tech billionaire has taken to his favorite platform—formerly known as Twitter, now simply “X”—to call for a full-blown boycott of ABC Network. His frustration stems from the media frenzy surrounding the recent presidential debate, which aired on ABC, and the wave of criticism that followed its contentious moderation. Musk, never one to mince words, didn’t hold back, declaring ABC “the worst network” and rallying his millions of followers with the battle cry, “Let’s take ‘em down!”
The internet quickly ignited with reactions, with Musk fans and critics alike weighing in on what has become a viral call for canceling one of the largest media outlets in the U.S. As always, Musk’s pronouncement has everyone buzzing, and it seems this latest skirmish in the media wars is only just beginning.
The chaos began during the most recent presidential debate, where tensions were as high as they’ve ever been between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The event was moderated by ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis, who found themselves in the hot seat after seemingly struggling to keep the debate on track. What followed was a media firestorm of accusations—Trump supporters cried foul, saying the moderators fact-checked Trump unfairly, while Harris supporters claimed the network wasn’t hard enough on the former president.
Amid this political melee, Elon Musk emerged as an unexpected critic. After watching what he deemed an unfair and biased display by the network, he tweeted to his 180 million followers: “ABC is the worst network. Their debate coverage was a disaster. Let’s take ‘em down. #BoycottABC.”
As soon as the tweet hit the airwaves, it was clear that Musk had started something bigger than just a debate critique. With his massive online following, Musk’s rallying cry was the spark that set off a social media firestorm, turning ABC into the latest casualty of the culture wars.
In classic Musk fashion, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO didn’t stop with one tweet. Over the next few hours, Musk continued to lambast ABC for what he called their “blatant bias” and lack of journalistic integrity. “We deserve better from our media,” Musk tweeted. “ABC is outdated, irrelevant, and nothing more than a corporate puppet. It’s time to take them down.”
The billionaire’s crusade against ABC quickly morphed into a broader criticism of mainstream media, something Musk has frequently sparred with in the past. He accused the network of stifling free speech and manipulating narratives to suit political agendas—a frequent target of Musk’s ire.
Musk’s call for a boycott resonated deeply with his online followers, many of whom share his distrust of the media and have followed him through various campaigns, from criticizing COVID lockdowns to championing the expansion of free speech on X. Within hours, the hashtag #BoycottABC was trending across social media, and thousands of users echoed Musk’s sentiment, vowing to ditch the network for good.
As with any major Musk declaration, the reactions were immediate and polarized. His loyal fans—ranging from Tesla owners to Dogecoin enthusiasts—enthusiastically supported the boycott, posting memes, videos, and tweets denouncing ABC. “I canceled my cable subscription just now,” tweeted one user. “ABC doesn’t deserve another dime from us.”
Another user posted, “If Musk says ABC is bad, then I believe him. This debate was a joke, and we’re done with them.”
But, as with all things Musk, the reaction wasn’t all praise. Critics quickly piled on, calling Musk’s boycott an unnecessary overreaction and accusing him of using his influence to launch a vendetta against media outlets that don’t fall in line with his worldview. Some users questioned whether Musk’s stance on “free speech” only applied to platforms and media outlets he agreed with.
“Musk claims to support free speech but wants to shut down a network because he didn’t like the debate coverage?” one tweet read. “Hypocritical much?”
Even some political commentators chimed in, warning that Musk’s influence could push people further into media echo chambers. “We’re entering a dangerous era where powerful figures like Musk can influence large portions of the population to abandon critical news outlets based on personal biases,” one media expert warned. “What’s next, only debates moderated by Tesla?”
Not content to simply dismantle ABC, Musk had a solution in mind for future debates—an idea that only he could dream up. “We should host the next presidential debate on X,” he tweeted. “No biased moderators, just the candidates. Let the people ask the questions. Real democracy.”
It didn’t take long for the suggestion to pick up steam, with Musk’s followers jumping on board with excitement. “Imagine Trump vs. Harris in a live-streamed, unmoderated debate on X. That’s what the people want to see!” one user tweeted, with a gif of Musk in his Tesla cybertruck for added emphasis.
Musk’s vision of a future where political debates happen in the digital town square of X, free from corporate media interference, seems to have struck a chord with his followers. The idea that the mainstream networks could be bypassed altogether in favor of a more direct form of democracy has electrified the internet, though whether it’s realistic remains to be seen.
Critics, of course, were quick to poke holes in Musk’s idea. “An unmoderated debate on X? That’s a recipe for chaos. What happens when the candidates start tweeting back at each other in real-time?” one political analyst questioned.
While Musk’s call to action has certainly stirred up a storm online, the bigger question remains—will it have a tangible impact on ABC’s viewership? Historically, media boycotts driven by social media outrage tend to have short-term effects, with most networks bouncing back once the news cycle shifts to the next big thing. However, Musk’s influence is undeniably powerful, and if anyone can turn a hashtag into a movement, it’s him.
ABC has yet to issue an official response to Musk’s boycott call, though inside sources suggest the network is bracing for more fallout. Disney, ABC’s parent company, is reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation, knowing full well the power Musk wields when he sets his sights on a target.
Some media experts believe ABC will ride out the storm, betting on the idea that the boycotters will eventually return once the debate controversy dies down. Others, however, aren’t so sure, citing Musk’s ability to galvanize massive movements that have a long-lasting impact on both consumer behavior and public discourse.
This isn’t the first time Musk has gone head-to-head with mainstream media, and it likely won’t be the last. From calling out journalists for what he sees as slanted reporting to challenging legacy media companies, Musk has made it clear that he believes the future of information lies in decentralized, unfiltered platforms—like his beloved X.
For now, it seems Musk is content to use his influence to rally his followers, hoping to make a dent in ABC’s ratings and, if nothing else, send a clear message that he won’t tolerate what he perceives as biased coverage.
In the meantime, as the boycott continues to gain momentum online, one thing is clear: when Elon Musk decides to “take ‘em down,” you can bet the internet—and the media—will be paying attention.
