The debate, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, drew criticism from across the political spectrum, but Musk’s intervention amplified discontent among his followers. Many echoed his sentiment that Trump faced more rigorous fact-checking than Kamala Harris, perceiving this as unfair treatment. Musk’s subsequent tweet, “ABC is worse than your Wi-Fi during a Zoom call. Boycott them. Let’s show them who really runs the show,” directly catalyzed the boycott.
The impact was swift. ABC saw a substantial drop in subscribers to its streaming platform, and affiliated services like Hulu also experienced a decline. While the exact number of cancellations remains unconfirmed by ABC, the network acknowledged the backlash and issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to “fair and balanced coverage.” However, this response appeared to do little to quell the criticism
The incident highlights Musk’s considerable influence, extending beyond the realms of technology and into media. His ability to mobilize his followers underscores the growing power of social media figures to shape public opinion and impact corporate bottom lines.
