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 primarily known for his involvement in Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter. As of 2025, he holds a senior advisory position to US President Donald Trump and effectively leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). With an estimated net worth of $320 billion USD in March 2025, Forbes recognizes him as the wealthiest individual globally.

Sections (6)

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

2018: Settlement agreement with the SEC

In 2018, Elon Musk entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC following a controversial tweet. In 2019, the SEC requested a court to find him in contempt for violating the terms of the 2018 settlement agreement.

2018: Lawsuit regarding Musk's pay package from Tesla

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed regarding Elon Musk's pay package from Tesla. In January 2024, a Delaware judge ruled that Musk's $55 billion pay package be rescinded.

2018: SEC sues Musk over Tesla tweet

In 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Elon Musk for a tweet about taking Tesla private, alleging securities fraud. Two days later in 2018, Musk settled with the SEC, and Musk and Tesla were each fined $20 million. Musk was also forced to step down as Tesla chairman for three years.

2019: Musk faces contempt charge over Tesla tweet

In 2019, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla would build half a million cars that year, leading the SEC to seek contempt charges for violating the 2018 settlement agreement. The SEC and Musk then clarified the agreement details.

January 2020: Tesla Directors Settle SolarCity Lawsuit

In January 2020, Tesla directors settled the lawsuit filed by multiple shareholder groups regarding the purchase of SolarCity, leaving Elon Musk as the sole remaining defendant.

May 2020: Resignation from Chairman of the Board

In May 2020, Elon Musk resigned from chairman of the board of Tesla as part of the settlement of a lawsuit from the SEC.

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 an agreement. FOIA records later revealed the SEC concluded Musk violated the agreement twice by tweeting about Tesla's solar roof production volumes and its stock price.

2020: Laptop Controversy Leading up to 2020 Presidential Election

In 2022, Elon Musk released internal documents relating to Twitter's moderation of Hunter Biden's laptop controversy in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

2021: Musk donates to his own foundation

In 2021, after being challenged to contribute to ending world hunger, Elon Musk instead donated $6 billion to his own foundation, despite a plan showing it could feed 42 million people for a year. The Musk Foundation has been criticized for its 'self-serving' donations.

December 2022: Musk Bans ElonJet Account on Twitter

In December 2022, Elon Musk banned the ElonJet account on Twitter, as well as temporary bans on the accounts of journalists that posted stories regarding the incident.

2022: Investigation into Twitter stock purchase

In 2022, Elon Musk purchased Twitter stock, leading to an investigation by the SEC. In October 2023, the SEC sued Musk for refusing to testify.

2022: Federal Probe Launched into Neuralink Animal Welfare

In 2022, a federal probe was launched into possible animal welfare violations by Neuralink.

2022: Changes to Twitter after Acquisition

In 2022, after acquiring Twitter, Elon Musk fired top executives, became CEO, instituted monthly subscriptions for a "blue check", and laid off a significant portion of the company's staff. Musk lessened content moderation and hate speech also increased on the platform after his takeover. In late 2022, Musk released internal documents relating to Twitter's moderation of Hunter Biden's laptop controversy in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

February 2023: Jury finds Musk and Tesla not liable in shareholder lawsuit

In February 2023, a jury found Elon Musk and Tesla not liable in a shareholder lawsuit concerning a tweet that had previously triggered an SEC investigation.

October 2023: Grimes sues Musk over parental rights

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

October 2023: SEC sues Musk over Twitter stock investigation testimony refusal

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

2023: Denial of Ukraine's Request to Activate Starlink Over Crimea

In 2023, Elon Musk denied Ukraine's request to activate Starlink over Crimea to aid an attack against the Russian navy, citing fears of a nuclear response.

2023: Scrutiny of Musk's International Political Actions

Since 2023, Elon Musk's international political actions and comments have come under increasing scrutiny and criticism, especially from the governments and leaders of France, Germany, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom.

January 2024: Judge rescinds Musk's Tesla pay package

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

January 2024: Reports of Musk's alleged drug use surface

Since January 2024, media outlets have reported alleged drug use by Elon Musk, including ketamine, marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, mushrooms, and cocaine. Musk initially refused to comment, later stating he hadn't tested positive for drugs and would take them if they improved his productivity.

February 2024: Judge orders Musk to testify in Twitter stock probe

In February 2024, Judge Laurel Beeler ruled that Elon Musk must testify again in the investigation into his purchase of Twitter stock in 2022.

2024: Musk Supports International Far-Right Political Parties

In 2024, Elon Musk started supporting international far-right political parties, activists, and causes, and has shared far-right misinformation and numerous conspiracy theories.

2024: Largest Donor in U.S. Presidential Election

In 2024, Elon Musk was the largest donor in the U.S. presidential election and supported global far-right figures, causes, and political parties.

January 2025: SEC files lawsuit against Musk over Twitter stock purchase

In January 2025, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk for securities violations related to his 2022 purchase of Twitter.

2025: Criticism for treatment of government employees

In early 2025, Elon Musk was criticized for his treatment of federal government employees, including his influence over the mass layoffs of the federal workforce.