In a bold move that could only come from the mind of the world’s most unpredictable billionaire, Elon Musk has officially pulled his $1 billion show from CBS, citing extreme bias during the recent vice-presidential debate. According to Musk, the network’s performance during the debate was “so one-sided, it’s laughable,” prompting the tech mogul to take drastic action. In his characteristic bluntness, Musk declared, “CBS is done for.”
The announcement, which came via Musk’s favorite communication channel—Twitter—sparked immediate uproar. Supporters of the SpaceX and Tesla CEO cheered his decision, while others scrambled to make sense of what this could mean for the network, which had banked on Musk’s star power for its next big hit.
The show, which was set to be one of the most ambitious projects CBS had ever undertaken, was shrouded in mystery. Rumors had circulated that it would be a futuristic docuseries, perhaps showcasing Musk’s Mars colonization plans, or a reality show about life in a world powered entirely by Tesla products. Some speculated it would feature Musk mentoring young inventors in an “Apprentice-style” format, except instead of giving out jobs, the prize was a seat on the first commercial SpaceX trip to the moon.
Now, none of that matters. CBS, who had been hoping to use the show as a ratings juggernaut to dominate the prime-time slot, is left empty-handed and reeling from the backlash Musk’s withdrawal has triggered. Musk’s decision to pull out was as swift as it was severe, proving once again that he can derail corporate media with just one tweet.
It all started with the vice-presidential debate between Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Tim Walz, hosted by CBS. The debate, which was supposed to be a cordial exchange of ideas, quickly turned into a contentious affair, with CBS moderators fact-checking Vance in real-time, often interrupting him mid-sentence.
Musk, who was watching the debate from his Mars-bound bunker (probably), didn’t take kindly to the interruptions. “It’s one thing to hold people accountable,” Musk tweeted, “but when you interrupt someone 23 times in an hour, that’s not accountability—that’s bias.” He followed up with a scathing tweet just minutes later, “CBS should rename itself the ‘Kamala Broadcasting System.’”
What really seemed to push Musk over the edge was a moment in the debate when Vance mentioned Musk’s ventures into clean energy. As Vance praised Tesla’s role in reducing carbon emissions, one of the moderators cut in, fact-checking Vance by stating that Tesla had also faced scrutiny for working conditions in its factories. The interruption, to Musk, was proof of the network’s vendetta.
“This wasn’t a debate,” Musk tweeted after the fact. “It was an ambush. If CBS thinks they can play that game with me, they’re sorely mistaken.”
Musk’s $1 billion project was supposed to be a lifeline for CBS, whose ratings had been on a slow decline. The network had hoped to use the show as a way to tap into Musk’s massive fanbase and bring a younger, tech-savvy audience into their viewership fold. Now, with the show dead in the water, CBS finds itself scrambling to fill the void.
In a tweet that has since gone viral, Musk announced his decision: “CBS is done for. They don’t deserve my show, and they don’t deserve your attention. Moving on.” The tweet garnered millions of likes and retweets, with fans and critics alike weighing in.
One of the top responses to Musk’s tweet was from his loyal follower base, with many of them declaring they would stop watching CBS altogether. “If Elon’s out, we’re out,” one user tweeted. “Who needs biased media when we’ve got SpaceX launches to watch?”
Others, however, were skeptical of Musk’s claim, accusing him of overreacting. “It’s just a debate,” one user commented. “You’d think Musk could handle a little criticism.”
Musk, never one to let criticism go unanswered, fired back, “Criticism is fine. Being a puppet for the establishment is not.”
CBS, clearly blindsided by Musk’s decision, tried to salvage the situation with a hasty statement. “We regret Mr. Musk’s decision to withdraw his show from our network,” the statement read. “CBS remains committed to delivering unbiased journalism and quality entertainment to our viewers.”
But the damage had been done. Musk’s fans began circulating hashtags like #CBSToast and #ElonIsRight, while advertisers reportedly started reevaluating their commitments to the network.
Adding salt to the wound, some CBS insiders reportedly admitted that losing Musk’s show was a significant financial blow. “We had no idea this would escalate so quickly,” one insider confessed. “The show was supposed to be a game-changer for us. Now, we’re left wondering how to pick up the pieces.”
Losing Musk’s show could have far-reaching consequences for CBS, not just financially but also in terms of public perception. Already, the network is facing growing criticism for its handling of the debate, with some accusing it of pandering to one side of the political aisle.
Media analysts are speculating that CBS may have to rework its entire strategy moving forward, especially if advertisers start pulling out in response to Musk’s backlash. “When someone like Musk walks away from a deal, it sends a message,” said media analyst Karen Rhodes. “CBS could be looking at long-term damage to their brand.”
Meanwhile, there are already rumors that other networks are circling, hoping to snatch up Musk’s project. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even YouTube have all been floated as possible homes for Musk’s billion-dollar brainchild.
Musk himself seems unfazed by the chaos he’s unleashed. “Plenty of networks would love to air my show,” he tweeted. “I’m just waiting for the right one.”
The ripple effect of Musk’s decision goes beyond the loss of his show. CBS, already dealing with a decline in ratings and growing competition from streaming services, now faces an existential crisis. The network’s attempt to fact-check and hold candidates accountable during the debate may have cost them not only a high-profile show but also the trust of a significant portion of their viewership.
In a world where political biases can make or break a network, CBS’s decision to fact-check Vance so aggressively could have long-term repercussions. Musk’s fans are already calling for more boycotts, with some even threatening to cancel their CBS All Access subscriptions.
As for Musk, he seems to be enjoying every minute of the fallout. When asked by a fan if he had any regrets about pulling his show, Musk simply replied, “Not a single one.”
Elon Musk pulling his $1 billion show from CBS over claims of bias is just the latest example of how much power one person can wield in the media landscape. Whether or not this move has lasting effects on CBS remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Elon Musk isn’t afraid to take on the media—and he’s not done yet.
As Musk continues to chart his own course, CBS is left to pick up the pieces of what might be their most expensive debate-related mistake yet.
