In yet another dramatic twist in the ever-spiraling 2024 political saga, tech billionaire and part-time Twitter disruptor Elon Musk has thrown his weight behind a full-fledged boycott of ABC Network following the recent presidential debate. After a polarizing event that left both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris supporters fuming over the moderators’ handling, Musk took to his preferred platform—formerly known as Twitter, now simply “X”—to declare war on the media giant, calling for a nationwide boycott.
His message was direct, succinct, and, of course, classic Musk: “ABC’s bias is off the charts. Let’s take ‘em down. #BoycottABC.” And with that, the gauntlet had been thrown.
It all began with the much-anticipated Trump vs. Harris presidential debate, where tensions were already running high. The moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, found themselves fact-checking Donald Trump mid-sentence more times than Musk fact-checks his engineers at SpaceX. And while Trump took offense at being interrupted, Harris, on the other hand, was criticized for receiving what many on the right considered “softball” questions. The result? Chaos on stage and an online frenzy once the event ended.
Supporters of both candidates took to social media to accuse ABC of being biased in favor of the other side. Trump fans slammed the network for “rigging” the debate in Harris’s favor, while Harris’s supporters accused ABC of not pressing Trump hard enough on his claims. It was a political mess, but for Elon Musk, it was more than just bad moderation—it was a call to action.
Musk, who has never shied away from voicing his opinions on everything from electric cars to space travel to the color of his Tesla Cybertruck (it’s still up for debate), quickly jumped into the post-debate conversation. But rather than simply critiquing the moderators or bemoaning the state of political discourse, Musk decided to go all-in and start a movement of his own.
“ABC’s coverage is as outdated as gas-powered cars,” Musk tweeted. “Time to boycott this biased network. We’re better off with no debates than with these circus shows. Let’s take ‘em down.”
The tweet, which garnered over 500,000 likes in under an hour, was quickly followed by a hashtag campaign: #BoycottABC. Musk’s legions of fans, ranging from crypto enthusiasts to Tesla fanboys, jumped on board, turning the call for a boycott into one of the top trending topics on X.
But the tech mogul didn’t stop there. As if leading the digital charge wasn’t enough, Musk went on to suggest alternative ways to hold future debates. “Why not stream the debates on X?” Musk suggested. “No filters, no biased moderators—just straight talk. We’ll make it happen, and you can bet there won’t be any interruptions when the candidates speak.”
Musk’s crusade against ABC is just the latest in his ongoing feud with traditional media. For years, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has railed against what he sees as corporate media’s bias and inefficiency. Whether it’s calling out news organizations for what he considers unfair coverage of his companies or sparking debates about freedom of speech, Musk has long made it clear that he sees social media and direct communication as the future of news.
And now, Musk has taken things one step further by not just criticizing but actively trying to take down a media titan. “Mainstream media has had a stranglehold on information for too long,” Musk tweeted later in the night. “The people deserve better. We deserve unbiased coverage, not corporate manipulation.”
As you might expect, his followers took up the charge with enthusiasm, with many proclaiming that they were canceling their ABC subscriptions, deleting the app, and even suggesting an all-out ban of Disney+ (ABC’s parent company). “I’m done with them,” tweeted one Musk devotee. “Elon is right. They’re a relic of the past. Time for the people to take control of the conversation.”
As Musk’s call for a boycott spread across social media, reactions from political and media figures were swift. Predictably, conservatives embraced Musk’s message, praising him for “standing up to the corrupt media” and for “taking on the establishment.” The idea of streaming future debates directly through X was met with excitement among Trump supporters, who have long argued that traditional networks unfairly favor their opponents.
On the other hand, critics were quick to point out Musk’s blatant disregard for journalistic integrity and fairness. “Elon Musk thinks he can take down a major media network because he doesn’t like how a debate was moderated? Please,” one commentator quipped. “This is just another billionaire trying to control the narrative.”
ABC, of course, was not amused. In a statement released shortly after Musk’s tweetstorm, a network spokesperson called Musk’s boycott call “reckless and baseless,” arguing that the moderators did their best to keep the debate on track and factual. “We stand by our moderators and the job they did in providing a fair and balanced debate,” the statement read. “ABC has always been committed to journalistic integrity and will not be swayed by pressure from outside forces.”
Disney, which owns ABC, has remained silent on the matter, though rumors are circulating that the company’s executives are now considering the PR ramifications of Musk’s boycott campaign.
Never one to pass up an opportunity to go big (or to space), Musk didn’t stop with his calls for a boycott. In a subsequent series of tweets, Musk floated the idea of hosting future debates on Mars. “Maybe it’s time we take politics off Earth,” Musk joked. “Imagine the candidates debating inside a SpaceX Starship on their way to colonize Mars. No biased moderators—just zero gravity and the future of humanity at stake.”
The internet, of course, exploded with excitement at the mere suggestion, with memes of Trump and Harris debating in spacesuits quickly taking over social media. While Musk’s Mars debate might be a few years (or centuries) away, his broader point was clear: the future of political discourse needs a shake-up, and ABC isn’t cutting it.
As #BoycottABC continues to trend, it remains to be seen just how far Musk’s movement will go. Will ABC see a noticeable dip in viewership or subscriptions as a result of his call to arms? Or will the network stand firm, weathering the storm as just another example of the polarized political landscape?
One thing is certain: Elon Musk, with his legions of followers and seemingly endless energy, won’t be backing down any time soon. Whether he’s calling for boycotts, streaming debates on X, or floating the idea of zero-gravity political showdowns, Musk has solidified his place as one of the most influential—and unpredictable—figures in modern discourse.
As for ABC? They’ll likely keep airing debates for now, but they might want to keep an eye on the skies. With Elon Musk in the picture, you never know when the next debate might be streamed live from space.