Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Elon Musk

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Elon Musk.

Elon Musk is a businessman and public official primarily known for leading Tesla and SpaceX. He has been the wealthiest person in the world since 2025, with Forbes estimating his net worth at US$788 billion as of May 2026. Musk's ventures focus on electric vehicles, space exploration, and other technological advancements.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2012: Emails between Musk and Epstein exist from 2012 to 2013

Emails between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein exist from 2012 to 2013.

2012: Musk emails Epstein about parties

In 2012, Elon Musk emailed Jeffrey Epstein asking about parties for the holiday season and inquiring if Epstein had any parties planned.

September 11, 2013: Epstein invites Musk to UN General Assembly opening

On September 11, 2013, Jeffrey Epstein sent an email to Elon Musk inviting him to New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

2013: Emails between Musk and Epstein exist from 2012 to 2013

Emails between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein exist from 2012 to 2013.

2014: Musk appears in photograph with Ghislaine Maxwell

In 2014, Elon Musk and Ghislaine Maxwell appeared together in a photograph taken at an Academy Awards after-party, which Musk later described as a "photobomb".

2018: SEC Lawsuit and Settlement Over Tesla Tweet

In 2018, Elon Musk was sued by the SEC for a tweet about taking Tesla private. The lawsuit characterized the tweet as false, misleading, and damaging. Two days later, Musk settled with the SEC, resulting in fines and his removal as Tesla chairman for three years.

2018: Lawsuit over Tesla Pay Package

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed regarding Elon Musk's $55 billion pay package from Tesla.

2018: Settlement agreement between Elon Musk and the SEC.

In 2018, the settlement agreement between Elon Musk and the SEC led to clarifying the terms, including preclearance for Musk's tweets on specific topics.

2019: Musk denies close relationship with Epstein

In 2019, Elon Musk denied any close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and described him as a "creep".

2019: SEC Contempt Motion Over Tesla Production Tweet

In 2019, after Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla would build half a million cars that year, the SEC sought to hold him in contempt for violating the 2018 settlement agreement. A joint agreement clarified the terms, including preclearance for Musk's tweets on specific topics.

2020: Lawsuit Blocked Over Tesla Stock Tweet

In 2020, a judge blocked a lawsuit claiming that a tweet by Elon Musk regarding Tesla's stock price ("too high imo") violated the agreement with the SEC.

2021: Musk allegedly has affair with Nicole Shanahan

In 2021, Elon Musk allegedly had an affair with Nicole Shanahan, the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, leading to their divorce the following year. Musk has denied the report.

July 2022: Report of Musk's alleged affair with Nicole Shanahan

In July 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk allegedly had an affair with Nicole Shanahan in 2021.

2022: Support for Ukraine and Recommendations on Annexed Territories

In 2022, Elon Musk expressed support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion and suggested referendums and peace deals on the annexed Russia-occupied territories.

2022: Investigation into purchase of Twitter stock

In 2022, The SEC investigated whether Elon Musk violated federal law when he purchased Twitter stock.

February 2023: Jury Verdict in Shareholder Lawsuit

In February 2023, a jury found Elon Musk and Tesla not liable in a shareholder lawsuit related to the 2018 tweet. Musk stated he does not regret posting the tweet.

October 2023: Grimes sues Musk over parental rights

In October 2023, Grimes sued Elon Musk over parental rights and custody of X Æ A-Xii.

October 2023: SEC Lawsuit Over Refusal to Testify

In October 2023, the SEC sued Elon Musk for refusing to testify a third time in an investigation into his purchase of Twitter stock in 2022.

January 2024: Rescinding of Musk's Pay Package by Delaware Judge

In January 2024, Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick ruled that Elon Musk's $55 billion pay package from Tesla be rescinded, calling it unfair to shareholders.

January 2024: Reports of Alleged Drug Use

Since January 2024, media outlets have reported alleged drug use by Elon Musk, including ketamine, marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, mushrooms, and cocaine, among others. His alleged drug use has come under increased scrutiny.

February 2024: Ruling Requiring Musk to Testify

In February 2024, Judge Laurel Beeler ruled that Elon Musk must testify again in the SEC investigation.

July 2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump for President

In July 2024, Elon Musk became a vocal and financial supporter of Donald Trump, endorsing him for president and expressing hope for his rapid recovery after an assassination attempt. Musk also joined Trump at campaign rallies, promoted conspiracy theories, and became the largest individual donor of the 2024 election.

October 2024: Report of Musk buying a Texas compound for his children

In October 2024, The New York Times reported Elon Musk bought a Texas compound for his children and their mothers, though Musk denied having done so.

2024: Support for Far-Right Political Parties

In 2024, Elon Musk began supporting international far-right political parties, activists, and causes. He also shared far-right misinformation and various conspiracy theories. His views have been generally described as right-wing since 2024.

2024: Criticism of UK Politics and Support for Tommy Robinson

In 2024, Elon Musk blamed the UK riots on mass migration and open borders, criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and was attacked for spreading misinformation. He also publicly supported far-right activist Tommy Robinson and initially pledged financial backing to Reform UK.

2024: Musk criticizes Assassin's Creed Shadows for "woke" content

In 2024, Elon Musk criticized the video game Assassin's Creed Shadows and its creator Ubisoft for including "woke" content, specifically the inclusion of the historical figure Yasuke, deeming the game "terrible" and stating that "DEI kills art".

2024: Support for Alternative for Germany

In 2024, Elon Musk expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany political party.

January 2025: Fall Out with Nigel Farage and Shifted Political Backing

In January 2025, Elon Musk publicly fell out with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, calling for his replacement. He subsequently shifted his backing towards Restore Britain, the political party launched by Rupert Lowe.

January 2025: SEC Lawsuit for Securities Violations

In January 2025, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk for securities violations related to his purchase of Twitter.

January 2025: Creation of the Organization and Musk's Designation

In January 2025, the organization DOGE was created by executive order, and Elon Musk was designated a "special government employee", leading the organization as a senior advisor to the president. However, his official role remained unclear. Statements during a lawsuit indicated he lacked formal authority, though Trump later stated Musk was in charge.

January 2025: Increased Scrutiny and Criticism of Political Actions

Starting in January 2025, Elon Musk's international political actions and comments faced increasing scrutiny and criticism, particularly from governments and leaders of France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This was especially due to his position in the U.S. government and his ownership of X.

February 14, 2025: Ashley St. Clair claims to have given birth to Musk's son

On February 14, 2025, Ashley St. Clair posted on X claiming to have given birth to Elon Musk's son Romulus five months earlier.

February 2025: NBC News Analysis of Political Movements Boosted by Musk

In February 2025, an NBC News analysis found that Elon Musk had boosted far-right political movements to cut immigration and curtail regulation of business in at least 18 countries on six continents since 2023.

February 22, 2025: St. Clair files for sole custody of her son

On February 22, 2025, it was reported that Ashley St. Clair had filed for sole custody of her five-month-old son and for Elon Musk to be recognised as the child's father.

March 31, 2025: Musk states he has paid St. Clair $2.5 million

On March 31, 2025, Elon Musk wrote that, while he was unsure if he was the father of Ashley St. Clair's child, he had paid St. Clair $2.5 million and would continue paying her $500,000 per year. Later reporting indicated that $1 million of these payments were structured as a loan.

May 2025: Criticism and Allegations Against Musk

In May 2025, Musk's role in the second Trump administration, particularly in response to DOGE, attracted public backlash. Bill Gates accused him of "killing the world's poorest children" through cuts to USAID. Modeling estimated the cuts resulted in 400,000 children and 200,000 adults deaths by November.

May 2025: Continued Scrutiny of Political Actions

The scrutiny and criticism of Elon Musk's international political actions and comments that started in January 2025 continued into May 2025.

2025: Musk continues criticism of Assassin's Creed Shadows

In 2025, Elon Musk continued to voice his criticism of the video game Assassin's Creed Shadows.

2025: Contribution to Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

In 2025, Elon Musk contributed $19 million to the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, aiming to influence the state's future redistricting efforts and regulations governing car manufacturers and dealers.

2025: Publication of Epstein Files

The emails Musk sent to Jeffrey Epstein are included in the Epstein files, which were published in 2025 and 2026 and became a topic of worldwide debate.

January 2026: Epstein files contain emails between Musk and Epstein

In January 2026, the Epstein files contain emails between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein from 2012 to 2013, after Epstein's first conviction.

January 30, 2026: Emails indicate Epstein invited Musk to visit his island

On January 30, 2026, emails were released indicating that Jeffrey Epstein invited Elon Musk to visit his private island on multiple occasions, but Musk did not visit.

March 20, 2026: Jury Finds Musk Liable for Misleading Investors

On March 20, 2026, a jury in San Francisco found Elon Musk liable for misleading investors during his acquisition of Twitter, but absolved him of fraud allegations. He was found to have misled shareholders in two tweets. Damages are estimated to be $2.5 billion.

April 27, 2026: Jury Selection Begins in Lawsuit Against OpenAI

On April 27, 2026, jury selection began for Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its executives Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.

April 28, 2026: Trial Testimony Begins

On April 28, 2026, Elon Musk began his trial testimony against Sam Altman and OpenAI.

April 30, 2026: Third day of trial testimony

On April 30, 2026, Elon Musk entered his third day of testimony against Altman and OpenAI.

2026: Publication of Epstein Files

The emails Musk sent to Jeffrey Epstein are included in the Epstein files, which were published in 2025 and 2026 and became a topic of worldwide debate.