Timcast IRL: MSNBC Confirmed to Be Spun Off After Ratings Collapse Amid Trump Victory with Hotep Jesus Release Date: November 20, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Timcast IRL, host Tim Pool delves into the recent seismic shifts within the media landscape following Donald Trump's electoral victory. Joined by guest Hotep Jesus and co-hosts Ian Crossland and Phil Labonte, the discussion navigates through the collapse of traditional liberal media ratings, the potential influence of the Deep State, and broader implications for political discourse in America.

Comcast to Spin Off MSNBC and CNBC

Tim Pool kicks off the episode by addressing breaking news: Comcast is officially spinning off MSNBC and CNBC into separate entities due to plummeting ratings.

Tim Pool [00:00]: "It's reporting that MSNBC and CNBC are going to be cut off from Comcast... their ratings are in the gutter."

He highlights that despite CNN's claims of profitability, their weekend ratings have sunk to 28,000 viewers, raising questions about their financial sustainability.

Tim Pool [00:00]: "MSNBC's weekend ratings was... in the 20 thousands in the key demo. It's a worthless channel."

Shifts in Liberal Media Personalities Post-Election

The conversation shifts to how prominent liberal media figures have altered their stance following Trump's victory, contributing to the decline in viewership for networks like MSNBC and CNN.

Tim Pool [02:50]: "Charlamagne, the God is now even supporting Donald Trump's actions to a certain degree."

He points out that personalities like Jon Stewart, Joe Scarborough, and Michael Brzezinski publicly defended Trump post-election, a stark contrast to their pre-election positions.

Tim Pool [08:35]: "Jon Stewart's ratings are in the gutter. He resurrected his Daily Show... I bet his ratings are gutter trash and he knows it."

Deep State and Dead Internet Theory

Hotep Jesus introduces the Dead Internet Theory, suggesting that a significant portion of online activity is driven by bots controlled by corporations or government entities to manipulate public opinion.

Tim Pool [48:33]: "One of the reasons perhaps we are seeing the left lose so many viewers and subscribers... could it be that Dead Internet Theory was true?"

The hosts explore how the elimination of bots, especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), might explain the sudden shifts in follower counts and engagement metrics favoring conservative voices.

Tim Pool [53:59]: "Following Elon's takeover, users started complaining they weren't getting the same views and clicks anymore. Why is my engagement so down?... When you get rid of bots, your engagement will go down."

Bill Maher's Shift and Liberal Media's Attitude

Bill Maher's recent derogatory comments towards Democrats are scrutinized as part of a broader trend where liberal commentators are reassessing their positions in the wake of Trump's resurgence.

Tim Pool [14:20]: "Bill Maher... he called the Democrats retarded. He said, 'Democrats were like a royal family that had become incestuous and had retarded children.'"

This shift is seen as reflective of a larger existential crisis within liberal media, struggling to reconcile with a Trump-supporting base that remains vocal and influential.

Twitter/X Platform Changes and Bot Activity

The hosts discuss Elon Musk's acquisition of X and the subsequent removal of bots, which ostensibly were propping up liberal accounts. This led to a visible decline in engagement for left-leaning personalities and a corresponding boost for conservative voices.

Tim Pool [60:05]: "MSNBC's ratings have collapsed and now, Fox News ratings are jumping. I don't see that as bots because that's the ratings tracking agencies."

There's speculation that the previously inflated engagement metrics were largely artificial, and their removal exposes the genuine popularity disparities between media outlets.

Jon Stewart and Other Liberal Figures Defending Trump

Jon Stewart and other traditionally liberal figures have made surprising endorsements of Trump, further alienating their former audiences and contributing to the decline in liberal media ratings.

Tim Pool [55:15]: "Here's a story from CNN... MSNBC is now saying we're fine with Trump."

The hosts consider this a "bait and switch," where media figures pivot their narratives to align with the victorious conservative wave, undermining their credibility.

Conclusion and Broader Implications

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the broader cultural and political shifts signified by the media's realignment. They suggest that the loss of trust in traditional media outlets paves the way for alternative and independent media platforms to gain prominence.

Tim Pool [60:56]: "MSNBC and CNN's ratings have continually been getting worse. So we'll dive into all of that."

The episode underscores the fragility of media credibility in the digital age and the enduring impact of political polarization on media consumption.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Pool [08:14]: "I think that the channels themselves... no one watches CNN."
• Ian Crossland [11:33]: "Phil. Are we having fun watching these personalities grovel?"
• Phil Labonte [33:43]: "I'm playing devil's advocate to say that some quotes and shifts are natural responses to losing support."

Final Thoughts

Timcast IRL presents a critical examination of the current state of liberal media, the potential manipulation of public opinion through digital bots, and the shifting allegiances of media personalities post-Trump victory. The discussions invite listeners to question the authenticity of media narratives and consider the evolving landscape of political discourse.

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