CNN Slams Elon Musk After He Tweets Fake Headline

Elon Musk is catching heat from CNN after tweeting a fake headline. 

The new owner of Twitter posted a meme to his account Monday implying network anchor Don Lemon had appeared on air with a made-up chyron reading "Elon Musk could threaten free speech on Twitter by literally allowing people to speak freely". By the afternoon, the tweet had racked up over 300,000 likes. 

pic.twitter.com/KZ7jeME3AX

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022

CNN's communications team shut down Musk's post, replying with their own tweet: "This headline never appared on CNN. Be better." 

This headline never appeared on CNN. Be better. pic.twitter.com/n8xGp2Z6qm

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 28, 2022

Musk then made light of the situation by responding "Lmaoooo". His tweet has now been flagged to give additional "context" for users with a notice that reads "The screencap in this image is not real and originated from a satirical website. CNN aired no such report about Musk "threatening free speech" and the chyron has been digitally altered to add the text."

This isn't the first time Musk's acquisition of the social media platform has led to high-profile names addressing him directly; earlier this month, Jimmy Fallon pleaded for Musk's help after a hashtag implying he was dead went viral. 

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.