Elon Musk's Potential $1 Trillion Stock Grant: Wealth, Trump Ties, and Industry Impact
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has made headlines recently with his potential involvement in an unusual stock grant worth approximately $1 trillion. This comes amidst a complex relationship with former US President Donald Trump and a fluctuating net worth that has seen him become the world's first person to reach an estimated $500 billion.
Musk's wealth, primarily tied to his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, has been difficult to estimate due to the private nature of many of his companies. In December 2020, he briefly surpassed the $500 billion mark, according to Forbes, before being revised down to $499.1 billion. This was around $150 billion more than Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's net worth at the time.
Musk's relationship with Trump has been a topic of speculation. In the summer of 2021, their relationship deteriorated, leading to a brief threat to cut off Musk's companies from government funds. Conversely, in late 2020, Musk's proximity to Trump was rumored to benefit Tesla's sales. However, Musk's right-wing political views and his association with Trump's administration have also been cited as factors contributing to a weakening in Tesla's sales.
Despite the fluctuations and controversies, Elon Musk's wealth continues to be a significant force in the tech and automotive industries. With a portfolio that includes Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI, and Neuralink, his influence and potential impact on global markets remain substantial.