Is Elon Musk Really Eyeing MSNBC?
If you follow Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), you may have noticed the billionaire dropping hints about a potential interest in acquiring MSNBC. In a pre-Thanksgiving exchange with Donald Trump Jr., Musk joked about buying the liberal-leaning news network. Trump Jr. referenced a rumor of MSNBC being for sale, saying, “Hey Elon, I have the funniest idea ever. How much does it cost?” Musk’s lighthearted response, “How much does it cost?” sent social media into a frenzy.
While the banter seemed playful, some noted Musk made similar “jokes” before his high-profile acquisition of Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion. Could he be serious this time? Probably not.
For starters, MSNBC isn’t officially on the market. Although Comcast, its parent company, recently announced plans to spin off its cable networks—including MSNBC—their ownership would remain within the same shareholder structure. Additionally, Musk’s financial situation might not accommodate another major acquisition right now. Much of his $350 billion fortune is tied up in Tesla and SpaceX stock, and the $13 billion loan he took for Twitter is racking up $1.5 billion in annual interest payments.
Despite these challenges, Musk’s unpredictable nature keeps speculation alive. Even Joe Rogan chimed in, humorously lobbying for Rachel Maddow’s job, saying he’d even match her outfit and glasses.
San Vicente Bungalows: NYC Edition Finally Set to Open
Jeff Klein’s upscale private club, the San Vicente Bungalows, is inching closer to opening its highly anticipated New York location. Originally slated for a summer 2023 debut, the Manhattan branch of the West Hollywood hotspot has faced multiple delays due to construction setbacks, permit issues, and city red tape.
The club, housed in the historic Jane Hotel in the West Village, will feature a rooftop terrace, garden, screening room, basement disco, and a restaurant overlooking the Hudson River. Renowned English designer Rose Uniacke has been reimagining the 116-year-old building, originally a budget hotel for sailors.
Membership to the exclusive club ranges from $1,800 to $4,200 annually, with initiation fees as high as $15,000. Despite the delays, Klein is optimistic: “As painful as this process has been, this will be the greatest thing I’ve ever done. It’s absolutely spectacular and worth the wait.”
Flavor Flav Becomes BlueSky’s Celebrity Verifier
In one of the most unexpected career pivots, Flavor Flav has become the unofficial celebrity gatekeeper for BlueSky, the burgeoning social media platform aiming to be a friendlier alternative to X.
Flav’s role began organically when he verified his Public Enemy bandmate Chuck D on the platform. “I wanted everyone to know it was really him,” Flav explained. From there, he extended the same treatment to other celebrities like gymnast Jordan Chiles and musician Dee Snider.
Dubbed the “Flavor Flav verification,” his efforts have helped bring attention to BlueSky, which added 7 million users in November, growing its base to 20 million—though still a far cry from X’s 611 million users. Flav is optimistic about the platform’s future, stating, “Give me two years. Watch how large this thing will be.”
*This story originally appeared in the Dec. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter.