Public image of Elon Musk

{{Main|List of awards and honors received by Elon Musk}}

File:Conectividade e Proteção da Amazônia com Elon Musk - 52089866211.png from the Brazilian Armed Forces in 2022{{Cite news |last=Costa |first=Mariana |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Musk recebe de Bolsonaro a medalha de Ordem do Mérito da Defesa |language=pt-BR |trans-title=Musk receives the Order of Defense Merit medal from Bolsonaro |work=Metrópoles |url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/musk-recebe-de-bolsonaro-a-medalha-de-ordem-do-merito-da-defesa |access-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205115416/https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/musk-recebe-de-bolsonaro-a-medalha-de-ordem-do-merito-da-defesa |url-status=live }}]]

Awards for his contributions to the development of the Falcon rockets include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics George Low Transportation Award in 2008,{{cite web|title=George M. Low Space Transportation Award|url=https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/honors-awards/awards/award-george-m-low-space-transportation-award|access-date=August 14, 2021|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814194408/https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/honors-awards/awards/award-george-m-low-space-transportation-award|url-status=live}} the {{lang|fr|Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|italic=no}} Gold Space Medal in 2010,{{cite web |url=https://www.fai.org/news/barron-hilton-and-elon-musk-honoured-highest-fai-awards |title=Barron Hilton and Elon Musk honoured with the highest FAI awards |publisher=Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |date=December 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419204916/http://www.fai.org/envc-awards/envc-news-awards/35094-barron-hilton-and-elon-musk-honoured-with-the-highest-awards |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |url-status=live}} and the Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Medal in 2012.{{cite web |title=2012 RAeS Gold Medal |url=http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight/2012/11/23/video-elon-musk-interview/7553 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128025956/http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight/2012/11/23/video-elon-musk-interview/7553/ |archive-date=November 28, 2012 }} In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate in engineering and technology from Yale University{{cite web |url=https://seas.yale.edu/news-events/news/seas-celebrates-class-2015-honors-innovators-elon-musk-and-dean-kamen |title=SEAS Celebrates Class of 2015, Honors Innovators Elon Musk and Dean Kamen |publisher=Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science |date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520024948/http://seas.yale.edu/news-events/news/seas-celebrates-class-2015-honors-innovators-elon-musk-and-dean-kamen |archive-date=May 20, 2015}} and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Honorary Membership.{{cite web |url=https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/hon_mem_rl.pdf |title=IEEE Honorary Membership Recipients |publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629021316/http://www.ieee.org/documents/hon_mem_rl.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}} Musk was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2018.{{cite news|date=May 9, 2018|title=Elon Musk elected as Fellow of the Royal Society|url=https://news.sky.com/story/elon-musk-elected-as-fellow-of-the-royal-society-11365298|publisher=Sky News|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=January 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104135155/https://news.sky.com/story/elon-musk-elected-as-fellow-of-the-royal-society-11365298|url-status=live}}{{efn|In 2024, Musk's Royal Society membership was criticized by 74 members over his alleged anti-scientific behavior and promotion of misinformation, prompting debates about the society's standards on membership and leading to the resignation of Dorothy Bishop, a neuropsychologist at the University of Oxford, who cited her dissatisfaction with the Society's response.{{Cite news |title=Elon Musk is causing problems for the Royal Society |url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/11/28/elon-musk-is-causing-problems-for-the-royal-society |access-date=December 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130010852/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/11/28/elon-musk-is-causing-problems-for-the-royal-society |url-status=live }}}} In 2022, Musk was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.{{cite web|title=For breakthroughs in the design, engineering, manufacturing, and operation of reusable launch vehicles and sustainable transportation and energy systems.|url=https://www.nae.edu/271501.aspx|publisher=National Academy of Engineering|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325232302/https://www.nae.edu/271501.aspx|url-status=live}}

Time has listed Musk as one of the most influential people in the world in 2010,{{cite magazine|last=Favreau|first=Jon|date=April 29, 2010|title=Elon Musk|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984745_1985495,00.html|magazine=Time|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035646/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984745_1985495,00.html|url-status=live}} 2013,{{cite magazine|last=Branson|first=Richard|date=April 18, 2013|title=Elon Musk|url=https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/elon-musk/|magazine=Time|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212203010/https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/elon-musk/|url-status=live}} 2018,{{cite magazine|last=Milner|first=Yuri|title=Elon Musk|url=https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217614/elon-musk/|magazine=Time|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103222113/https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217614/elon-musk/|url-status=live}} and 2021.{{Cite magazine|title=Elon Musk: The 100 Most Influential People of 2021|url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/6095970/elon-musk-innovators/|access-date=September 21, 2021|magazine=Time|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530144543/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/6095970/elon-musk-innovators/|url-status=live}} Musk was selected as Time{{'}}s "Person of the Year" for 2021. Then Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal wrote that, "Person of the Year is a marker of influence, and few individuals have had more influence than Musk on life on Earth, and potentially life off Earth too."{{cite news|last=Flynn|first=Kerry|date=December 13, 2021|title=Time Person of the Year: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, named most influential of 2021|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/13/media/slug-time-person-year-elon-musk/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=December 13, 2021|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213131207/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/13/media/slug-time-person-year-elon-musk/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Felsenthal|first=Edward|author-link=Edward Felsenthal|date=December 13, 2021|title=Time 2021 The choice Elon Musk|url=https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2021-elon-musk-choice/|magazine=Time|access-date=December 13, 2021|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213124509/https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2021-elon-musk-choice/|url-status=live}}

{{Main articles|Musk Foundation}}

Musk is president of the Musk Foundation he founded in 2001,{{cite news |date=May 9, 2013 |title=Musk Foundation |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770587507 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210000223/https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770587507 |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |work=ProPublica}}{{cite news |last=Carlson |first=Kara |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Mapping Musklandia: A guide to Elon Musk-related activity in the Austin area |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/business/technology/2022/12/12/elon-musk-austin-map-guide-twitter-tesla-spacex-boring-company/69614830007/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221215142547/https://www.statesman.com/story/business/technology/2022/12/12/elon-musk-austin-map-guide-twitter-tesla-spacex-boring-company/69614830007/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |work=Austin American-Statesman |quote="Musk's private foundation was founded in 2001 and is focused on renewable energy, ..."}} whose stated purpose is to: provide solar-power energy systems in disaster areas; support research, development, and advocacy (for interests including human space exploration, pediatrics, renewable energy and "safe artificial intelligence"); and support science and engineering educational efforts.{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Mark |date=January 23, 2019 |title=How Elon Musk's secretive foundation hands out his billions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/23/how-elon-musks-secretive-foundation-benefits-his-own-family#img-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728130757/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/23/how-elon-musks-secretive-foundation-benefits-his-own-family |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |work=The Guardian}}

As of 2020, the foundation had made 350 donations. Around half of them were made to scientific research or education nonprofits. Notable beneficiaries include the Wikimedia Foundation, his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, and his brother Kimbal's nonprofit Big Green.{{cite news |last=Cuccinello |first=Hayley C. |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Elon Musk Has Promised To Give at Least Half His Fortune To Charity. Here's How Much He's Donated So Far |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2020/09/08/elon-musk-has-promised-to-give-at-least-half-his-fortune-to-charity-heres-how-much-hes-donated-so-far/?sh=606951e73c8c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213235544/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2020/09/08/elon-musk-has-promised-to-give-at-least-half-his-fortune-to-charity-heres-how-much-hes-donated-so-far/?sh=606951e73c8c |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |work=Forbes}} From 2002 to 2018, the foundation gave $25 million directly to nonprofit organizations, nearly half of which went to Musk's OpenAI,{{cite news |last=Schleifer |first=Theodore |date=January 11, 2021 |title=The big decision before Elon Musk, now the richest person in the world |url=https://www.vox.com/recode/22221173/elon-musk-tesla-foundation-philanthropy-wealthiest-person |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217230456/https://www.vox.com/recode/22221173/elon-musk-tesla-foundation-philanthropy-wealthiest-person |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021 |work=Vox}} which was a nonprofit at the time.{{cite web |date=March 11, 2019 |title=OpenAI shifts from nonprofit to 'capped-profit' to attract capital |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/11/openai-shifts-from-nonprofit-to-capped-profit-to-attract-capital/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425163152/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/11/openai-shifts-from-nonprofit-to-capped-profit-to-attract-capital/ |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |access-date=April 25, 2021}} The foundation also allocated $100 million of donations to be used to establish a new higher education university in Texas.{{Cite news |last=Salam |first=Erum |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Elon Musk spends $100m to open new university in Texas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/14/elon-musk-open-texas-university-schools |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114624/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/14/elon-musk-open-texas-university-schools |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In 2012, Musk took the Giving Pledge, thereby committing to give the majority of his wealth to charitable causes either during his lifetime or in his will.{{cite web |title=Pledge Signatories |url=https://givingpledge.org/pledgers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109225231/https://givingpledge.org/pledgers |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2022 |website=The Giving Pledge}} He has endowed prizes at the Xprize Foundation, including $100 million to reward improved carbon capture technology.{{cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Bill |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Elon Musk Funds $100 Million XPrize For Pursuit Of New Carbon Removal Ideas |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965372754/elon-musk-funds-100-million-xprize-for-pursuit-of-new-carbon-removal-ideas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104010709/https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965372754/elon-musk-funds-100-million-xprize-for-pursuit-of-new-carbon-removal-ideas |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |publisher=NPR}}

Vox said in February 2021, "the Musk Foundation is almost entertaining in its simplicity and yet is strikingly opaque", noting that its website was only 33 words in plain-text. In 2020, Forbes gave Musk a philanthropy score of 1, because he had given away less than 1% of his net worth. In November 2021, Musk donated $5.7 billion of Tesla's shares to charity, according to regulatory filings.{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2022 |title=Elon Musk Makes Biggest Donation in History |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-15/elon-musk-donated-5-7-billion-of-tesla-shares-to-charity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070736/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-15/elon-musk-donated-5-7-billion-of-tesla-shares-to-charity |archive-date=February 15, 2022 |access-date=February 15, 2022 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}} However, Bloomberg News noted that all of it went to his own foundation, bringing Musk Foundation's assets up to $9.4 billion at the end of 2021. The foundation disbursed $160 million to nonprofits that year.{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Sophie |date=December 12, 2022 |title=Musk's $5.7 Billion Mystery Gift Went to His Own Charity |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/elon-musk-s-5-7-billion-mystery-gift-went-to-his-own-charity |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221212231358/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/elon-musk-s-5-7-billion-mystery-gift-went-to-his-own-charity |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |work=Bloomberg News}} Reporting by The New York Times found that in 2022, the Musk Foundation gave away $230 million less than the minimum required by law to maintain tax-deductible status, and that in 2021 and 2022 over half the foundation's funds went to causes connected to Musk, his family, or his businesses.{{Cite news |last1=Fahrenthold |first1=David A. |last2=Mac |first2=Ryan |date=March 10, 2024 |title=Elon Musk Has a Giant Charity. Its Money Stays Close to Home. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/10/us/elon-musk-charity.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310071427/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/10/us/elon-musk-charity.html |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}

{{See also|Elon Musk filmography}}

Musk was a partial inspiration for the characterization of Tony Stark in the Marvel film Iron Man (2008).{{cite news|last=Langman|first=Brady|date=August 11, 2022|title=You're Going to Have Feelings About Tony Stark's Biggest Real-World Inspiration|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a40871355/tony-stark-iron-man-elon-musk/|work=Esquire|access-date=November 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101153058/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a40871355/tony-stark-iron-man-elon-musk/|archive-date=November 1, 2022|url-status=live}} Musk also had a cameo appearance in the film's 2010 sequel, Iron Man 2.{{cite magazine|last1=Tate|first1=Ryan|date=September 20, 2012|title=10 Awkward Hollywood Cameos by Tech Founders |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/09/founders-awkward-hollywood-cameos/|magazine=Wired|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034116/https://www.wired.com/2012/09/founders-awkward-hollywood-cameos/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}} Musk has made cameos and appearances in other films such as Machete Kills (2013),{{cite news|last=Wurzburger|first=Andrea|title=Ahead Elon Musk's Acting Cameos Through the Years |url=https://people.com/tv/elon-musk-snl-acting-cameos/?slide=8faa5caf-b18a-43c8-9982-e12a37846603#8faa5caf-b18a-43c8-9982-e12a37846603|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=People|date=May 8, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427020829/https://people.com/tv/elon-musk-snl-acting-cameos/?slide=8faa5caf-b18a-43c8-9982-e12a37846603#8faa5caf-b18a-43c8-9982-e12a37846603|url-status=live}} Why Him? (2016),{{cite news |title='Why Him?' Director on Elon Musk's Amazing 'I Can't Come to Work Today' Excuse |first=Dan |last=Bova |date= December 21, 2016 |work=Entrepreneur|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/video/286858 |access-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826161409/https://www.entrepreneur.com/video/286858|archive-date=August 26, 2020}} and Men in Black: International (2019).{{cite news|last=Alexander |first=Bryan |date=June 17, 2019|title=Which celebrities are revealed as space aliens in 'Men in Black: International'? (spoilers)|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/06/17/men-black-international-reveals-celebrity-aliens-spoilers/1459811001/|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205152713/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/06/17/men-black-international-reveals-celebrity-aliens-spoilers/1459811001/|archive-date=February 5, 2021|url-status=live}} Television series in which he has appeared include The Simpsons ("The Musk Who Fell to Earth", 2015),{{cite news|last=Cain|first=Sian|date=April 26, 2022|title=From The Simpsons to Iron Man: Elon Musk's Twitter takeover is just his latest desperate bid for celebrity|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/apr/26/elon-musks-twitter-takeover-is-just-his-latest-desperate-bid-for-celebrity|work=The Guardian|access-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615190636/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/apr/26/elon-musks-twitter-takeover-is-just-his-latest-desperate-bid-for-celebrity|archive-date=June 15, 2022|url-status=live}} The Big Bang Theory ("The Platonic Permutation", 2015),{{cite news|title=Tesla CEO Elon Musk To Appear on Upcoming Episode of the Big Bang Theory|publisher=CBS|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_bang_theory/news/1004869/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-to-appear-on-upcoming-episode-of-the-big-bang-theory/|access-date=December 4, 2015|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223001910/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_bang_theory/news/1004869/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-to-appear-on-upcoming-episode-of-the-big-bang-theory/|url-status=live}} South Park ("Members Only", 2016),{{cite news|last=Hansen|first=Louis|work=The Denver Post|date=November 25, 2016|title=Elon Musk uses 'South Park' to fire back at trolls|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/25/elon-musk-south-park/|access-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702010155/https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/25/elon-musk-south-park/|archive-date=July 2, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kurp|first=Josh |date=November 18, 2016|title=Elon Musk Joins The Short List Of 'South Park' Guest Stars To Voice Themselves|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-joins-short-list-165033463.html|work=Yahoo News|access-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119144158/https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-joins-short-list-165033463.html|archive-date=November 19, 2016|url-status=live}} Young Sheldon ("A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac®", 2017),{{Cite news|title=The Young Sheldon Episode You Likely Forgot Starred Elon Musk|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-young-sheldon-episode-you-likely-forgot-starred-elon-musk/ar-AAVLglE|access-date=May 3, 2022|publisher=MSN |archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525052031/https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-young-sheldon-episode-you-likely-forgot-starred-elon-musk/ar-AAVLglE|url-status=live}} and Rick and Morty ("One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty", 2019).{{cite news|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse |date=November 25, 2019|title=Elon Musk's Rick and Morty Cameo Finally Explains His 'Elon Tusk' Twitter Joke|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/11/25/elon-musk-rick-and-morty-cameo-elon-tusk|work=IGN|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=January 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131050424/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/11/25/elon-musk-rick-and-morty-cameo-elon-tusk}}{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Gael Fashingbauer|date=November 25, 2019 |title=Elon Musk shows up on Rick and Morty as Elon Tusk, head of Tuskla|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-shows-up-on-rick-and-morty-as-elon-tusk-head-of-tuskla/|publisher=CNET|access-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821033512/https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-shows-up-on-rick-and-morty-as-elon-tusk-head-of-tuskla/ |archive-date=August 21, 2020}} He contributed interviews to the documentaries Racing Extinction (2015) and Lo and Behold (2016).{{cite news|last=Field|first=Kyle|title=Tesla Stars In 'Racing Extinction' Documentary|date=December 2, 2015|url=http://cleantechnica.com/2015/12/02/tesla-stars-racing-extinction-documentary/|work=CleanTechnica |access-date=July 11, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824201304/https://cleantechnica.com/2015/12/02/tesla-stars-racing-extinction-documentary/}}{{cite news|last=Ladan|first=Tanja M.|date=August 24, 2016|work=Vice|title=Werner Herzog Hacks the Horrors of Connectivity in 'Lo and Behold'|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/werner-herzog-lo-and-behold-documentary/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204205058/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/nz4p58/werner-herzog-lo-and-behold-documentary|archive-date=February 4, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=September 4, 2020}}

Musk hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) in May 2021.{{cite news|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave|author-link=David Itzkoff|date=May 9, 2021|title=Elon Musk Hosts a Mother's Day Episode of 'Saturday Night Live'|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/09/arts/television/elon-musk-snl.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/09/arts/television/elon-musk-snl.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |access-date=May 27, 2021}}{{cbignore}} In August 2024 cast member Bowen Yang said that a male host who had "made multiple cast members cry" was the worst behaved host he had witnessed on SNL.{{cite web |last1=Zack |first1=Sharf |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Bowen Yang Reveals a Male 'SNL' Host 'Made Multiple Cast Members Cry Because He Hated the Ideas' at the Table Read: It Was 'Terrible' |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/bowen-yang-snl-host-made-cast-cry-hated-sketch-ideas-1236105030/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=variety.com |publisher=Variety}} Cast member Chloe Fineman confirmed that the host was Musk and said that his behavior had made her cry.{{cite web |last1=Stolworthy |first1=Jacob |date=12 November 2024 |title=SNL cast member reveals Elon Musk made her cry when he hosted the show |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/elon-musk-snl-chloe-fineman-trump-b2645408.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=independent.co.uk |publisher=The Independent |archive-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123052003/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/elon-musk-snl-chloe-fineman-trump-b2645408.html |url-status=live }} Musk responded that his behavior was due to believing that the material was not funny.{{cite web |last1=Morrow |first1=Brendan |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Elon Musk responds after Chloe Fineman alleges he made her 'burst into tears' on 'SNL' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/11/12/elon-musk-snl-chloe-fineman-made-cry/76216554007/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124044441/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/11/12/elon-musk-snl-chloe-fineman-made-cry/76216554007/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=Elon Musk Responds to Making 'SNL's' Chloe Fineman Cry: 'I Was Worried' My Hosting Would 'Be So Unfunny It'll Make a Crackhead Sober!!' |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/elon-musk-responds-snl-cast-cry-chloe-fineman-unfunny-1236207684/ |website=variety.com |date=12 November 2024 |publisher=Variety |access-date=January 23, 2025}} Musk was impersonated by Mike Myers in the 2025 SNL series.{{cite web |last1=Hailu |first1=Selome |title=Mike Myers Plays Elon Musk in ‘SNL’ Cold Open, Jokes About Making ‘Self-Vandalizing’ Teslas With ‘Swastikas Made of Penises’ |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/mike-myers-snl-teslas-swastikas-penises-1236360898/ |website=variety.com |publisher=Variety |access-date=6 April 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Lyall |first1=Sarah |title=Mike Myers Is Ready to Defend Canada |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/style/mike-myers-elon-musk-snl-canadian-election.html |website=nytimes.com |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=27 April 2025}}

In September 2018, Musk was interviewed on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, during which he appeared to smoke a joint.{{Cite news |author=Picchi |first=Aimee |date=September 7, 2018 |title=Tesla's Elon Musk appears to smoke weed in Joe Rogan live interview |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-smokes-weed-joe-rogan-experience-podcast-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409222844/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-smokes-weed-joe-rogan-experience-podcast-interview/ |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=November 14, 2023 |publisher=CBS News}} In 2022, Musk said that he and other SpaceX employees had subsequently been required to undergo random drug tests for about a year following the incident, as required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 for federal contractors.{{Cite news |author1=Grace Dean |author2=Huileng Tan |date=August 2022 |title=Elon Musk said he and the 'whole of SpaceX' had to be drug tested for a year after he smoked weed on Joe Rogan's podcast |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-drug-tests-smoking-weed-joe-rogan-marijuana-cannabis-2022-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121211058/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-drug-tests-smoking-weed-joe-rogan-marijuana-cannabis-2022-8 |archive-date=November 21, 2022 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |website=Business Insider}} In a 2019 60 Minutes interview, Musk had said, "I do not smoke pot. As anybody who watched that podcast could tell, I have no idea how to smoke pot."{{cite news |last=Gottsegen |first=Gordon |date=December 7, 2018 |title=Despite infamous hit, Elon Musk says he has 'no idea how to smoke pot' |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/despite-infamous-hit-elon-musk-says-he-has-no-idea-how-to-smoke-pot/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119015057/https://www.cnet.com/news/despite-infamous-hit-elon-musk-says-he-has-no-idea-how-to-smoke-pot/ |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |access-date=September 15, 2020 |publisher=CNET}}

In his leisure time, Musk plays video games including Quake, Diablo IV, Elden Ring, and Polytopia.{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2023 |title=Elon Musk's Intense Obsession With A Video Game Influenced His Business Strategies, Caused Fights In His Relationship And Served As A Reminder Every Move Matters |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musks-intense-obsession-video-171328115.html#:~:text=His%20latest%20biography%20explains%20his,the%20game's%20developer%20Felix%20Ekenstam. |website=Yahoo Finance |access-date=April 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111201452/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musks-intense-obsession-video-171328115.html#:~:text=His%20latest%20biography%20explains%20his,the%20game's%20developer%20Felix%20Ekenstam. |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2018 |title=Elon Musk loves video games. Here are 10 of his favorites |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-favorite-video-games-2017-6 |website=Business Insider |access-date=April 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218165802/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-favorite-video-games-2017-6 |url-status=live }}

In 2024 Musk expressed interest in buying Hasbro in order to secure the rights to Dungeons & Dragons which Musk believed that Hasbro was mismanaging. His interest was met with a generally negative response from Hasbro fans.{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Greg |title=Dungeons & Dragons and Transformers fans ‘horrified’ at the idea of Elon Musk buying Hasbro |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/elon-musk-hasbro-stock-dnd-transformers-b2656342.html |website=the-independent.com |publisher=The Independent |access-date=16 April 2025}}

In January 2025, several online influencers and game streamers claimed Musk cheated on Path of Exile 2 and Diablo IV by hiring outside services to invest hours of play into his accounts.{{Cite web |last1=Peterson |first1=Becky |last2=Needleman |first2=Sarah E. |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Musk Vaulted to the Top of a Popular Videogame. Everyone's Asking Where He Found the Time. |url=https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/elon-musk-videogame-diablo-tesla-spacex-4233b5b9 |access-date=January 19, 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119023543/https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/elon-musk-videogame-diablo-tesla-spacex-4233b5b9 |url-status=live }} Musk initially responded by criticizing one of his accusers, the YouTuber Asmongold.{{Cite web |last=Sager |first=Monica |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Elon Musk responds after gamers question his abilities in Path of Exile 2 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-responds-after-gamers-question-his-abilities-path-exile-2-2016122 |access-date=January 19, 2025 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118200450/https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-responds-after-gamers-question-his-abilities-path-exile-2-2016122 |url-status=live }} Musk later briefly took away Asmongold's verification on Twitter and leaked direct messages between the two of them.{{cite magazine |last1=DeSena |first1=Gabby |title=Elon Musk Leaks Asmongold DMs Amidst Path of Exile Backlash |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/elon-musk-leaks-asmongold-dms |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120024101/https://www.si.com/esports/news/elon-musk-leaks-asmongold-dms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=HETZNER |first1=CHRISTIAAN |title=Elon Musk's gaming scandal deepens as X owner attempts to silence streamer Asmongold for blowing the whistle |url=https://fortune.com/2025/01/17/elon-musk-asmongold-gaming-scandal-poe2-diabloiv-twitch/ |website=Fortune |access-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120022351/https://fortune.com/2025/01/17/elon-musk-asmongold-gaming-scandal-poe2-diabloiv-twitch/ |url-status=live }} Musk's ex-partner Grimes defended his accomplishments saying that she had witnessed many of his Diablo IV records.{{cite web |last1=Ferdinand |first1=Pam K |title=Grimes Comments on Elon Musk's Gaming Skills |url=https://gamerant.com/grimes-comment-elon-musk-gaming-skills/ |website=Game Rant |date=19 January 2025 |access-date=January 21, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Keza |title=Elon Musk stands accused of pretending to be good at video games. The irony is delicious |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jan/20/elon-musk-stands-accused-of-pretending-to-be-good-at-video-games-the-irony-is-delicious |website=The Guardian |date=20 January 2025 |access-date=January 21, 2025}} Musk has since admitted to using account boosting services while stating that "It's impossible to beat players in Asia if you don't."{{cite web |last1=Tassi |first1=Paul |title=Elon Musk Finally Admits To 'Path Of Exile 2' Account Boosting In DMs |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/01/20/elon-musk-finally-admits-to-path-of-exile-2-account-boosting-in-dms/ |work=Forbes |access-date=January 21, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Gault |first1=Matthew |title=Elon Musk Admits to Paying People to Play Video Games for Him |url=https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-admits-to-paying-people-to-play-video-games-for-him-2000552872 |website=Gizmodo |date=21 January 2025 |access-date=January 21, 2025}}

In 2024 and 2025 Musk criticized the video game Assassin's Creed Shadows and its creator Ubisoft for "woke" content.{{cite web |last1=Randall |first1=Harvey |title=Ubisoft scores a legendary ratio against Elon Musk on his own platform—which hopefully marks a final end to all the Assassin's Creed Shadows' culture war nonsense |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/assassins-creed/ubisoft-scores-a-legendary-ratio-against-elon-musk-on-his-own-platform-which-hopefully-marks-a-final-end-to-all-the-assassins-creed-shadows-culture-war-nonsense/ |website=pcgamer.com |publisher=PC Gamer}} In 2024 Musk posted to X that "DEI kills art" and specified the inclusion of the historical figure Yasuke in the Assassin's Creed game as offensive. Ubisoft responded by saying that Musk's comments were "just feeding hatred" and that they were focused on producing a game, not pushing politics.{{cite web |last1=Bošnjak |first1=Dominik |title=Ubisoft Responds to Elon Musk's Assassin's Creed Shadows Criticism |url=https://gamerant.com/assassins-creed-shadows-elon-musk-woke-criticism-ubisoft-response/ |website=gamerant.com |publisher=Game Rant |access-date=26 March 2025}} In 2025 after Musk called Shadows a "terrible game" and Hasan Piker a "sellout" along with "Hasan is a fraud," for promoting it the game's official X account replied "is that what the guy playing your Path of Exile 2 account told you?"{{cite web |last1=Bošnjak |first1=Dominik |title=Assassin's Creed Throws Shade at Elon Musk After Hasan Comments |url=https://gamerant.com/assassins-creed-shadows-elon-musk-burn-path-of-exile-hasan-comments/ |website=gamerant.com |publisher=Game Rant |access-date=26 March 2025}} The post's ratio was significantly in Ubisoft's favor.

{{Main|ElonJet|2022 Twitter suspensions}}

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| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |user=elonmusk |number=1603609466301059073 |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Unsuspend accounts who doxxed my exact location in real-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301081529/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1603609466301059073 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-21}}

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Musk uses a private jet owned by Falcon Landing LLC, a SpaceX-linked company, and acquired a second jet in August 2020.{{Cite news |last=Geuss |first=Megan |date=January 30, 2019 |title=Elon Musk's private jet appears to make frivolous flights, per Washington Post |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/01/elon-musk-private-jet-flew-150000-miles-in-2018-washington-post-reports/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414015748/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/01/elon-musk-private-jet-flew-150000-miles-in-2018-washington-post-reports/ |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |work=Ars Technica}}{{cite news |last=Pierce |first=David |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Elon Musk's new plane |url=https://www.protocol.com/elon-musks-new-plane |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517174126/https://www.protocol.com/elon-musks-new-plane |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |work=Politico}} His heavy use of the jets—which flew over 150,000 miles in 2018 alone—and the consequent fossil fuel usage have received criticism.{{cite news |last=Harwell |first=Drew |date=January 29, 2019 |title=Elon Musk's highflying 2018: What 150,000 miles in a private jet reveal about his 'excruciating' year |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/elon-musks-highflying-2018-what-150000-miles-in-a-private-jet-reveal-about-his-excruciating-year/2019/01/29/83b5604e-20ee-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504010014/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/elon-musks-highflying-2018-what-150000-miles-in-a-private-jet-reveal-about-his-excruciating-year/2019/01/29/83b5604e-20ee-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |access-date=May 14, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Musk's flight usage is tracked on social media through ElonJet. After Musk said that his son {{nowrap|X Æ A-Xii}} had been harassed by a stalker after the account posted the airport at which his jet had landed,{{cite tweet |number=1603190155107794944 |user=elonmusk |title=Last night, car carrying lil X in LA was followed by crazy stalker (thinking it was me), who later blocked car from moving & climbed onto hood. Legal action is being taken against Sweeney & organizations who supported harm to my family. |first=Elon |last=Musk |author-link=Elon Musk |date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219203040/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1603190155107794944 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Musk bans Twitter account tracking his jet, threatens to sue creator |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/14/elonjet-twitter-suspension-jack-sweeney-talks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215002815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/14/elonjet-twitter-suspension-jack-sweeney-talks/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite news |date=December 15, 2022 |title='Crazy stalker' attacks Elon Musk's car as Twitter boss threatens legal action against account tracking his private jet |url=https://news.sky.com/story/crazy-stalker-attacks-elon-musks-car-as-twitter-boss-threatens-legal-action-against-account-tracking-his-private-jet-12768404 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228071605/https://news.sky.com/story/crazy-stalker-attacks-elon-musks-car-as-twitter-boss-threatens-legal-action-against-account-tracking-his-private-jet-12768404 |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=Sky News}} Musk banned the ElonJet account on Twitter, as well as the accounts of journalists that posted stories regarding the incident, including Donie O'Sullivan, Keith Olbermann, and journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Intercept.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Josh |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk reinstates Twitter accounts of suspended journalists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/17/elon-musk-reinstates-twitter-accounts-of-suspended-journalists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119104035/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/17/elon-musk-reinstates-twitter-accounts-of-suspended-journalists |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=The Guardian}} Musk equated the reporting to doxxing.{{Cite news |title=Twitter suspends account tracking Elon Musk's jet after 'stalker' follows his child – National |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9351055/elon-musk-jet-tracking-account-suspended-twitter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217213946/https://globalnews.ca/news/9351055/elon-musk-jet-tracking-account-suspended-twitter/ |archive-date=December 17, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2022 |work=Global News}} Police do not believe there is a link between the account and alleged stalker.{{Cite news |last1=Harwell |first1=Drew |last2=Lorenz |first2=Taylor |author-link2=Taylor Lorenz |date=December 18, 2022 |title=Musk blamed a Twitter account for an alleged stalker. Police see no link. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/18/details-of-musk-stalking-incident/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226022008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/18/details-of-musk-stalking-incident/ |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Musk later took a Twitter poll on whether the journalists' accounts should be reinstated, which resulted in reinstating the accounts.{{Cite news |last=Darcy |first=Oliver |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk offers journalists he banned from Twitter ability to return under certain condition |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/elon-musk-twitter-ban-reverse-conditions/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127083127/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/elon-musk-twitter-ban-reverse-conditions/index.html |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}

{{Main|Elon Musk salute controversy}}

File:We Choose to Fight- Nobody Elected Elon Protest - 54308120310.jpg

In his speech during the second inauguration of Donald Trump, Musk thumped his right hand over his heart, fingers spread wide, and then extended his right arm out, emphatically, at an upward angle, palm down and fingers together. He then repeated the gesture to the crowd behind him. As he finished the gestures, he said to the crowd, "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured."{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk's gesture at Trump rally draws scrutiny |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cpdxzjw9p47o |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 21, 2025 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129023036/https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cpdxzjw9p47o |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5269719 |title=Elon Musk tried to turn the salute controversy into a joke |publisher=NPR |archive-date=2025-01-28 |access-date=2025-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128110823/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5269719 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first1=Makini |last1=Brice |first2=Madeline |last2=Chambers |first3=Heather |last3=Timmons |first4=Kanishka |last4=Singh |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Musk's hand gesture during Trump inauguration festivities draws scrutiny |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musks-hand-gesture-during-trump-inauguration-festivities-draws-scrutiny-2025-01-21/ |work=Reuters |access-date=January 22, 2025 }} The gesture was viewed as a Nazi or Roman salute{{efn|name=salute|The "Roman salute" is a gesture which was used by Italian Fascists, then adopted by the Nazis. It is not believed to have been used by ancient Romans.}} by some, including politicians Yolanda Díaz, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jerry Nadler, as well as historian of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Elon Musk's 'Salute' Sparks Criticism From Foreign Leaders And Democrats |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/01/21/elon-musks-salute-sparks-criticism-from-foreign-leaders-and-democrats/ |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Samuels |first=Ben |title=Elon Musk Appears to Make Fascist Salute at Trump Inauguration Rally |website=Haaretz |date=January 20, 2025 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-20/ty-article/.premium/elon-musk-appears-to-make-fascist-salute-at-trump-inauguration-rally/00000194-8563-d83f-a597-bff78b4e0000 |access-date=January 21, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Wright |first=George |title=Elon Musk responds to backlash over gesture at Donald Trump rally |work=BBC News |date=January 21, 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy48v1x4dv4o |access-date=January 21, 2025}} Austria's Green Party and Germany's Die Linke called for Musk to be banned from entering their respective countries, citing the salute and his support for right-wing extremism and ongoing interference in European politics.{{cite web |first=Hagen |last=Strauß |url=https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/elon-musk-linke-will-einreiseverbot-fuer-trump-berater_aid-123327325 |title='Unterstützer der extremen Rechten': Linke will Einreisesperre für Elon Musk |lang=de |trans-title='Supporter of the Extreme Right': Die Linke calls for Entry Ban for Elon Musk |work=Rheinische Post |date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122105320/https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/elon-musk-linke-will-einreiseverbot-fuer-trump-berater_aid-123327325 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://kurier.at/politik/ausland/elon-musk-donald-trump-einreiseverbot-oesterreich/403001192 |title=Österreichs Grüne fordern Einreiseverbot für Elon Musk |lang=de-at |trans-title=Austria's Greens Demand Entry Ban for Elon Musk |date=January 21, 2025 |work=Kurier |access-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122035201/https://kurier.at/politik/ausland/elon-musk-donald-trump-einreiseverbot-oesterreich/403001192 |url-status=live }} Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Musk was "falsely smeared".{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Ali | title=Netanyahu: Musk is being 'falsely smeared' over controversial salute | website=POLITICO | date=January 23, 2025 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/benjamin-netanyahu-elon-musk-is-being-falsely-smeared-over-controversial-salute/ | access-date=January 24, 2025}}

Musk derided the claims as being politicized,{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Elon Musk responds to backlash over gesture at Donald Trump rally |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy48v1x4dv4o |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124051122/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy48v1x4dv4o |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Elon Musk accused of giving 'Nazi salute' at Trump inauguration celebration |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-salute-trump-inauguration-b2683095.html |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124044406/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-salute-trump-inauguration-b2683095.html |url-status=live }} in one post he wrote: "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired",{{cite web |title=Musk accused of giving Nazi salute during Trump inauguration celebrations |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=January 21, 2025 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/1/21/musk-accused-of-giving-nazi-salute-during-trump-inauguration-celebrations |access-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121025644/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/1/21/musk-accused-of-giving-nazi-salute-during-trump-inauguration-celebrations |url-status=live }} but did not explicitly deny the claims. The Anti-Defamation League stated that Musk did not make a Nazi salute, but "made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm". Jared Holt from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which tracks online hate, also said that he is skeptical it was on purpose, and that it could indicate a sort of gesture of thanks to the crowd.{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Did Elon Musk make a Nazi or Roman salute, and what do they each mean? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-22/elon-musk-accused-salute-donald-trump-inauguration/104845166 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation News |language=en-AU |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123011852/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-22/elon-musk-accused-salute-donald-trump-inauguration/104845166 |url-status=live }} However, former ADL national director Abraham Foxman described the gesture as a "Heil Hitler Nazi salute".{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Mira |date=January 21, 2025 |title=ADL excuses Musk salute as 'awkward gesture' |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/690745/adl-elon-musk-sieg-heil-hitler-salute-nazi/ |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=The Forward |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122003639/https://forward.com/fast-forward/690745/adl-elon-musk-sieg-heil-hitler-salute-nazi/ |url-status=live }} In further response to the events, Musk posted a series of puns about Nazis on Twitter, which the ADL condemned as "inappropriate" and "highly offensive".{{cite web | last=Basu | first=Zachary | title=ADL condemns Musk's Nazi "jokes" after salute controversy | website=Axios | date=January 23, 2025 | url=https://www.axios.com/2025/01/23/elon-musk-nazi-joke-adl | access-date=January 23, 2025 | archive-date=January 24, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124023501/https://www.axios.com/2025/01/23/elon-musk-nazi-joke-adl | url-status=live }} Various media outlets, including the Associated Press, reported that regardless of what Musk meant, his gesture was widely embraced by right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis.{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Bernard |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Musk's straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant |url=https://apnews.com/article/musk-gesture-salute-antisemitism-0070dae53c7a73397b104ae645877535 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |work=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121233346/https://apnews.com/article/musk-gesture-salute-antisemitism-0070dae53c7a73397b104ae645877535 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Gilbert |first1=David |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Neo-Nazis Love the Nazi-Like Salutes Elon Musk Made at Trump's Inauguration |url=https://www.wired.com/story/neo-nazis-love-elon-musk-nazi-like-salutes-trumps-inauguration/ |access-date=January 22, 2025 |magazine=Wired |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121230437/https://www.wired.com/story/neo-nazis-love-elon-musk-nazi-like-salutes-trumps-inauguration/ |url-status=live }}

In April 2025, Elon Musk became the target of a public outburst by Vincenzo De Luca, President of the Campania region. During a press interaction, De Luca referred to Musk as a "crazy drug addict" and stated that he "should be locked up in a psychiatric hospital," suggesting a 5150 psychiatric hold, known in Italy as TSO (Trattamento Sanitario Obbligatorio).{{cite news |title=‘Poor Deluded Fool’, Says Elon Musk As Italian Minister Calls Him ‘A Crazy Drug Addict’ And ‘Should Be Locked Up In A Psychiatric Hospital’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/news/poor-deluded-fool-says-elon-musk-as-italian-minister-calls-him-a-crazy-drug-addict-and-should-be-locked-up-in-a-psychiatric-hospital/articleshow/108999999.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025-04-10}}

De Luca also criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for associating with Musk, implying a contradiction with her party’s claimed values of "God, Fatherland and Family". He added further insults, accusing Musk of being "a cokehead, a junkie, a nutcase" and referencing Musk’s numerous children as part of his critique.{{cite news |title=‘Poor Deluded Fool’, Says Elon Musk As Italian Minister Calls Him ‘A Crazy Drug Addict’ And ‘Should Be Locked Up In A Psychiatric Hospital’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/news/poor-deluded-fool-says-elon-musk-as-italian-minister-calls-him-a-crazy-drug-addict-and-should-be-locked-up-in-a-psychiatric-hospital/articleshow/108999999.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025-04-10}}

Musk responded on X by sharing a screenshot of a Grok AI-generated roast in Italian, captioned “Buono sera, buono sera …”. He later referred to De Luca as a "poor deluded fool" and mocked the authenticity of mainstream news.{{cite news |title=‘Poor Deluded Fool’, Says Elon Musk As Italian Minister Calls Him ‘A Crazy Drug Addict’ And ‘Should Be Locked Up In A Psychiatric Hospital’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/news/poor-deluded-fool-says-elon-musk-as-italian-minister-calls-him-a-crazy-drug-addict-and-should-be-locked-up-in-a-psychiatric-hospital/articleshow/108999999.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025-04-10}}

{{Excerpt|Protests against Elon Musk}}

{{Excerpt|Tesla Takedown}}

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{{Elon Musk}}

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Category:Elon Musk