In a dramatic escalation of the 2024 political season, tech mogul and outspoken social media figure Elon Musk has launched a full-scale boycott of ABC Network following a contentious presidential debate. The move comes after the debate, featuring former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, ended in uproar over the moderators’ handling of the event.

Elon Musk, known for his high-profile ventures and unconventional opinions, took to his platform—formerly Twitter and now rebranded as “X”—to make a forceful declaration. His tweet read: “ABC’s bias is off the charts. Let’s take ‘em down. #BoycottABC.” The post, which quickly garnered widespread attention, set off a flurry of reactions and ignited a campaign against the network.

The debate in question, which was heavily anticipated, saw both Trump and Harris supporters expressing dissatisfaction with the moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis. The moderators faced criticism from Trump’s supporters for frequently interrupting the former president, while Harris’s camp accused them of failing to challenge Trump’s statements adequately. This led to a chaotic debate environment and a surge in online backlash.

Musk, who has a history of engaging in public controversies and taking bold stances on various issues, saw this as a prime opportunity to challenge what he views as media bias. “ABC’s coverage is as outdated as gas-powered cars,” Musk tweeted.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 quickly went viral, amassing over 500,000 likes within an hour and sparking the #BoycottABC hashtag campaign. Musk’s fervent supporters, ranging from tech enthusiasts to political commentators, rallied around the call to action, vowing to cancel their ABC subscriptions and boycott the network.

Musk’s campaign didn’t stop with a tweet. He suggested alternative methods for future debates, proposing they be streamed directly on X to avoid what he termed as biased moderation. “Why not stream the debates on X?” Musk proposed. “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.”

This boycott effort aligns with Musk’s broader critique of mainstream media, which he frequently accuses of bias and inefficiency. His criticism of traditional media is part of a larger narrative he has championed, advocating for greater transparency and alternative media channels.

The response from political and media figures has been polarized. Conservatives have largely embraced Musk’s stance, viewing him as a champion against what they see as corrupt media practices. Trump supporters, in particular, have shown enthusiasm for Musk’s proposal to stream debates on X, seeing it as a way to counteract what they perceive as media bias.

On the other hand, critics argue that Musk’s actions reflect a disregard for journalistic integrity. Some commentators have dismissed his campaign as an attempt by a billionaire to manipulate the media narrative to suit his personal views. “Elon Musk thinks he can take down a major media network because he doesn’t like how a debate was moderated? Please,” one critic stated. “This is just another billionaire trying to control the narrative.”

ABC Network has responded to the boycott call with a statement defending the moderators and their handling of the debate. “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 yet to comment officially on the boycott, though there are speculations about potential impacts on the network’s viewership and subscription rates.

In a lighter note, Musk even proposed an imaginative idea of hosting future debates on Mars, humorously suggesting that zero gravity and a SpaceX Starship could offer a new perspective on political discourse. “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.”

As #BoycottABC continues to trend, the full impact of Musk’s campaign remains to be seen. Will it lead to a significant decline in ABC’s viewership, or will the network stand firm against the backlash? With Musk’s relentless drive and influence, the situation is sure to remain a focal point in the evolving media and political landscape.

As for now, ABC will likely continue its programming while keeping a wary eye on the shifting tides of public opinion. Meanwhile, Musk’s audacious call for change underscores his role as one of the most unpredictable and influential figures in contemporary media and politics.