Well, this is unexpected. Fareed Zakaria, a CNN staple and usually the go-to guy for left-leaning intellectual takes, has found himself praising none other than Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Yes, the same Elon Musk who’s been accused of being a “right-wing enabler” for daring to restore free speech on Twitter (or X, if we’re being technical), and the same Vivek Ramaswamy who has made a name for himself as a disruptor of woke corporate culture. Zakaria’s praise doesn’t stop there. He also lauded something called DOGE—not the cryptocurrency, but the Department of Government Efficiency—a policy proposal aimed at cutting government waste. And here’s the kicker: he called it a “central Republican promise.”
Let’s unpack this for a moment. CNN has spent the better part of a decade positioning itself as the voice of anti-Trump resistance, the network that never met a conservative idea it didn’t ridicule. Now, one of its top voices is not only acknowledging the merit of Republican ideas but outright praising them. It’s like watching a vegan rave about a steakhouse. You can’t help but wonder: what’s going on here?
Zakaria’s praise for Elon Musk is particularly interesting. Musk has been a lightning rod for criticism ever since he bought Twitter and promised to restore free speech on the platform. The Left was horrified. They labeled him everything from a “threat to democracy” to a “fascist billionaire” simply because he believes people should be allowed to express opinions that don’t align with progressive orthodoxy. Yet, here’s Zakaria tipping his hat to Musk for his entrepreneurial spirit and his willingness to challenge the status quo. Maybe even CNN can’t ignore the fact that Musk is, in many ways, the epitome of the American Dream—a self-made billionaire who’s pushing the boundaries of technology while sticking it to the establishment.
Then there’s Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican wunderkind who’s built his political platform on the idea of dismantling woke culture in corporate America. Zakaria’s praise for Ramaswamy is even more surprising, given that CNN has often portrayed the anti-woke movement as nothing more than a culture war distraction. But it seems Ramaswamy’s message about meritocracy and efficiency is resonating, even in unlikely places. Zakaria specifically pointed to Ramaswamy’s focus on cutting red tape and streamlining government operations as something Democrats should take seriously. Imagine that: a Republican making sense in the eyes of a CNN commentator.
And then there’s DOGE. No, not the cryptocurrency with the Shiba Inu mascot, but the Department of Government Efficiency—a proposal aimed at doing what Republicans have long promised but rarely delivered: making the government smaller and less intrusive. Zakaria described DOGE as a potential game-changer, a way to fulfill the GOP’s long-standing pledge to reduce bureaucracy and return power to the people. It’s the kind of idea that makes fiscal conservatives cheer and big-government types break out in hives. That Zakaria would even entertain the notion is a testament to how far the Overton Window has shifted in recent years.
So, what’s behind this sudden burst of praise for Republican ideas? Is Zakaria softening his stance, or is he simply acknowledging the obvious? Either way, it’s a refreshing departure from the usual narrative. For years, CNN has treated Republican policies as either dangerous or laughable, rarely pausing to consider their potential merits. Zakaria’s comments suggest that maybe, just maybe, there’s room for a more nuanced conversation.
Of course, not everyone at CNN is likely to share Zakaria’s enthusiasm. The network’s core audience is still deeply invested in the idea that Republicans are the villains in America’s political drama. But Zakaria’s willingness to break ranks, however slightly, is a reminder that even the most entrenched narratives can shift. It’s also a reminder that ideas like free speech, meritocracy, and efficient government aren’t inherently partisan—they’re just common sense.
Whether Zakaria’s praise signals a broader change at CNN or is simply an isolated moment of clarity remains to be seen. But for conservatives, it’s a small but satisfying victory. If even CNN is starting to see the value in Republican principles, perhaps the tide is turning. And if nothing else, it’s a reminder that good ideas can come from anywhere—even if they usually come from the right.
