Former ESPN personality Cari Champion appeared on CNN to discuss Elon Musk’s rumored takeover of MSNBC.
The X owner has flirted with the idea in recent weeks as Comcast completes a corporate restructuring. Jovial remarks over Musk purchasing MSNBC have dominated social media – much to the dismay of the network’s loyal, left-wing viewers.
Champion is another who’s opposed to the potential takeover, arguing that while she would not be surprised by a Musk bid, said she believed it “just can’t happen in real life.” She was not optimistic for a second Donald Trump presidency, either, and we know how that prediction turned out.
“I do believe that media – everyone sitting here at this table – are in for some tough years ahead,” Champion said on Monday. “I do not believe that we are not going to be as safe or say what we want to. I don’t think free speech is going to be as free.”
CNN’s only actually conservative pundit Scott Jennings was perplexed by the idea as Champion then advocated for stricter regulation on social media. “How much government regulation of the First Amendment are you for?” responded the Republican.
“Let me tell you something: If I came on here and just started calling you all kinds of names, do you think the bosses would let me continue to do that?” replied the former SportsCenter broadcaster, who wasn’t being called names. “There is a level of professionalism in what we do here. There is no moral compass on this thing called X.”
Watch the full exchange below:
Many noted similarities to Musk’s previous purchase of Twitter.
Another noted irony in the CNN panel’s comments.
Others believed the takeover was likely.
