Elon Musk Sparks Boycott, ABC Loses Nearly 1 Million Subscribers Overnight
In a dramatic twist that could reshape the media landscape, ABC has reportedly lost close to 1 million subscribers overnight. The cause? A single tweet from tech mogul Elon Musk, who called for a boycott of the network following what he described as “blatant bias” during ABC’s recent presidential debate coverage between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The controversy began when Musk, a powerful voice on social media, took issue with ABC’s moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, for their handling of the debate. Musk and his followers accused the moderators of unfairly fact-checking Trump while giving Harris a free pass. Musk’s frustration boiled over into a tweet late that night: “ABC is worse than your Wi-Fi during a Zoom call. Boycott them. Let’s show them who really runs the show.”
As with most things involving Musk, his tweet set off a firestorm on social media. The hashtag #BoycottABC began trending within hours, as Musk’s massive following—comprised of tech enthusiasts, libertarians, and space exploration fans—rallied behind him. The internet was ablaze with discussions about media bias, free speech, and the power of one man to shift public sentiment with a single tweet.
By the next morning, the effects were undeniable. ABC’s subscription services, including streaming platforms like Hulu, saw a massive drop as Musk’s supporters canceled their accounts en masse. Nearly 1 million subscribers cut ties with the network in less than 24 hours. Some even reported “purging” their apps to avoid any connection to what they called “corporate wokeness.”
The Trump vs. Harris debate had already been a source of controversy, with many viewers claiming that ABC’s moderators interrupted Trump repeatedly to fact-check his statements while letting Harris speak uninterrupted. “It felt like the Harris Fan Club rather than a debate,” one Musk supporter tweeted. Musk’s criticism amplified these complaints, prompting a wave of cancellations.
Caught off guard by the sudden backlash, ABC quickly issued a statement: “We remain committed to providing fair and balanced coverage for all political events. We value journalistic integrity and welcome feedback from our viewers.” However, this response did little to stem the tide, with many dismissing the statement as too little, too late.
The damage to ABC’s subscriber base and reputation has raised questions about the network’s future. Media analysts suggest the fallout could have long-term consequences for ABC’s political coverage and overall viewership. Musk’s boycott has forced the network into emergency meetings, with discussions reportedly underway about potential changes to win back lost subscribers.
As ABC scrambles to recover, Musk continues to tease future media ventures. When asked if he plans to launch his own network, Musk replied in a tweet: “ABC is just the beginning.” His influence on public discourse, already considerable, now extends further into the world of mainstream media.
ABC’s massive subscriber loss underscores the power of social media and the influence figures like Elon Musk wield. Whether the network can regain the trust of its viewers remains to be seen, but for now, Musk’s call to action has left ABC reeling.
