History of Elon Musk in Timeline
Elon Musk is a highly successful entrepreneur and investor known for his ambitious ventures. He leads SpaceX, Tesla, X Corp., and several other companies focused on technology, innovation, and space exploration. His significant contributions to these fields have made him one of the wealthiest individuals globally.
June 28, 1971: Elon Musk's Birth
Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971.
1980: Elon Musk's Parents Divorce
Elon Musk's parents divorced in 1980, after which he chose to live primarily with his father.
June 1989: Elon Musk Arrives in Canada
Musk arrived in Canada in June 1989 and worked odd jobs.
1990: Elon Musk Enters Queen's University
Elon Musk entered Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, in 1990.
1994: Elon Musk Holds Two Internships
Musk held two internships in Silicon Valley in 1994: one at energy storage startup Pinnacle Research Institute, and another at Palo Alto–based startup Rocket Science Games.
1995: Elon Musk Claims to have Earned Two Degrees
Musk has said that he earned a Bachelor of Arts in physics, and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.
1995: Founding of Zip2
In 1995, Musk, his brother Kimbal, and Greg Kouri founded Global Link Information Network, later renamed to Zip2.
1995: Elon Musk Moves to California and Starts Zip2
In 1995, Elon Musk moved to California and, with his brother Kimbal, co-founded the online city guide software company Zip2.
1995: Elon Musk Accepted to Stanford but Joins the Internet Boom
In 1995, Musk was accepted to a graduate program in materials science at Stanford University, but did not enroll and joined the Internet boom.
1997: Elon Musk Officially Receives his Two Degrees
The University of Pennsylvania did not award Musk's degrees until 1997.
February 1999: Compaq Acquires Zip2
Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million in cash in February 1999, and Musk received $22 million for his 7-percent share.
March 1999: Co-founding of X.com
Musk co-founded X.com, an online financial services and e-mail payment company, in March 1999 with $12 million of the money he made from the Compaq acquisition.
1999: Acquisition of Zip2 and Co-founding of X.com
Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million in 1999. That same year, Musk co-founded X.com, a direct bank.
September 2000: Elon Musk Ousted as CEO of X.com
With the company suffering from compounding technological issues and the lack of a cohesive business model, the board ousted Musk as CEO and replaced him with Thiel in September 2000.
2000: Musk Marries Justine Wilson
Elon Musk married Justine Wilson, a Canadian author, in 2000. They met while attending Queen's University in Ontario, Canada.
2000: Merger of X.com and Confinity
X.com merged with Confinity in 2000 to form PayPal.
2001: X.com Renamed to PayPal
The company focused on the money-transfer service and was renamed PayPal in 2001.
2001: Musk's Involvement with Mars Society
In 2001, Elon Musk became involved with the nonprofit Mars Society, discussing plans to fund a growth-chamber for plants on Mars and traveled to Moscow to explore buying refurbished intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to send payloads into space.
2001: Founding of the Musk Foundation
In 2001, Musk founded the Musk Foundation, aimed at providing solar power in disaster areas, supporting research in various fields, and promoting science and engineering education.
February 2002: Musk Rejected Rocket Offer and Founded SpaceX
In February 2002, after being offered a rocket for \$8 million, Elon Musk decided to reject the offer and instead found his own company, SpaceX, with \$100 million of his own money.
May 2002: SpaceX Founded
Elon Musk founded SpaceX in May 2002, becoming the company's CEO and Chief Engineer.
October 2002: Founding of SpaceX
Using $100 million from the sale of PayPal, Elon Musk founded SpaceX, a spaceflight services company, in October 2002.
October 2002: PayPal Sold to eBay
In October 2002, PayPal was sold to eBay, and Elon Musk earned $175.8 million from the sale.
2002: Musk and Wilson Lose First Child
In 2002, Elon Musk and Justine Wilson tragically lost their first child to sudden infant death syndrome at 10 weeks old.
2002: eBay Acquires PayPal
In 2002, PayPal was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion in stock. Musk, PayPal's largest shareholder, received $175.8 million.
2002: Musk Becomes U.S. Citizen
Elon Musk became a U.S. citizen in 2002, marking a significant step in his personal and professional journey.
2002: Musk Foundation's Early Donations
Between 2002 and 2018, the Musk Foundation donated $25 million to nonprofit organizations, with nearly half going to OpenAI, which was a nonprofit at the time.
July 2003: Tesla Motors Incorporated
Tesla Motors was incorporated in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who financed the company until the Series A round of funding.
2003: Musk's Favorite Plane
In 2003, Elon Musk expressed that his favorite plane he owned was an L-39 Albatros.
February 2004: Musk Leads Series A Funding and Joins Tesla
In February 2004, Elon Musk led the Series A round of investment in Tesla, investing \$6.5 million, becoming the majority shareholder, and joining the board of directors as chairman.
2004: Musk and Wilson Welcome Twins via IVF
In 2004, Elon Musk and Justine Wilson welcomed twins via in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the loss of their first child.
2004: Elon Musk Becomes Early Investor in Tesla Motors, Inc.
In 2004, Musk became an early investor in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors, Inc. (later Tesla, Inc.).
2006: Creation of SolarCity
In 2006, Musk helped create SolarCity, a solar-energy company.
2006: First Falcon 1 Launch Attempt and NASA Contract
In 2006, SpaceX attempted its first launch of the Falcon 1 rocket, which failed to reach Earth orbit. However, SpaceX was later awarded a Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program contract from NASA.
2006: SolarCity Founded
Elon Musk provided the initial concept and funding for SolarCity, a solar energy company founded by his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive in 2006.
2006: Musk and Wilson Have Triplets
Elon Musk and Justine Wilson had triplets in 2006, further expanding their family through IVF.
2007: Escalating Conflicts at Tesla
A series of escalating conflicts occurred at Tesla in 2007, ultimately leading to the ouster of Martin Eberhard from the firm.
2008: Falcon 1 Reaches Orbit and Commercial Resupply Services Contract
After two failed attempts, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 1 into orbit in 2008. Later that year, SpaceX also received a \$1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract from NASA for 12 flights to the International Space Station.
2008: Musk Becomes CEO and Product Architect of Tesla
Elon Musk assumed leadership of Tesla as CEO and product architect in 2008.
2008: Elon Musk Becomes Tesla CEO
Elon Musk assumed the position of CEO of Tesla in 2008.
2008: Musk and Wilson Divorce
In 2008, Elon Musk and Justine Wilson divorced, sharing custody of their children.
2008: Musk Begins Dating Talulah Riley
In 2008, Elon Musk began dating Talulah Riley, an English actress, embarking on a new relationship after his divorce from Justine Wilson.
2008: Inspiration for Tony Stark in Iron Man
In 2008, Elon Musk was a partial inspiration for the character Tony Stark in the Marvel film Iron Man. This portrayal tied Musk to the image of a real-life tech innovator and entrepreneur.
2008: Tesla Roadster Delivery Begins
Tesla began delivery of its electric sports car, the Roadster, in 2008, which was the first serial production all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells.
2009: Musk Joins Twitter
Elon Musk joined Twitter in 2009 and has since become a prominent figure on the platform.
2009: Lawsuit Settlement Designates Musk as Tesla Co-founder
A 2009 lawsuit settlement with Martin Eberhard designated Elon Musk as a Tesla co-founder, along with Tarpenning and two others.
2010: Cameo in Iron Man 2
In 2010, Musk made a cameo appearance in Iron Man 2, further cementing his association with the Tony Stark character and the world of high-tech innovation.
2010: Tesla Initial Public Offering
Tesla held its initial public offering in 2010, after which the stock price rose significantly.
2011: Space Shuttle Retirement
The Space Shuttle was retired in 2011, with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft replacing it for resupply missions to the ISS.
2012: Taking the Giving Pledge
In 2012, Musk took the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes either during his lifetime or through his will. He also funded prizes at the X Prize Foundation, including $100 million for carbon capture technology.
2012: Model S Sedan Delivery Begins
Tesla began delivery of its four-door Model S sedan in 2012.
2012: Dragon Vehicle Docks with ISS
In 2012, the Dragon vehicle docked with the ISS, marking a first for a commercial spacecraft.
2012: Musk and Riley Divorce, Then Remarry
Elon Musk and Talulah Riley married in 2010 but divorced in 2012. They remarried the following year.
2012: Musk Joins Forbes Billionaires List
Elon Musk was first included in the Forbes Billionaires List in 2012, with a net worth of $2 billion.
August 2013: Hyperloop Concept Announcement
In August 2013, Musk announced plans for the Hyperloop, a vacuum tube train, and assigned engineers to develop its conceptual foundations. The alpha design was published, outlining a potential route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
2013: SolarCity's Growth
By 2013, SolarCity had become the second-largest provider of solar power systems in the United States.
2013: Twitter's IPO
In 2013, Twitter went public with its initial public offering (IPO).
2013: Hyperloop Proposal
Musk proposed a hyperloop high-speed vactrain transportation system in 2013.
2014: Musk and Riley File for Divorce Again
Elon Musk and Talulah Riley filed for divorce again in 2014. While they briefly reconciled, they ultimately finalized their second divorce in 2016.
2014: Advanced Production Facility Announced
In 2014, Elon Musk promoted the idea of SolarCity establishing a large-scale production facility in Buffalo, New York. The facility, intended to be triple the size of the largest existing solar plant in the U.S., commenced construction the same year.
December 2015: Co-founding of OpenAI
In December 2015, Musk co-founded OpenAI, a nonprofit aimed at developing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence. He pledged $1 billion in funding to support its mission of democratizing AI systems.
2015: Open Letter on Artificial Intelligence
In 2015, Elon Musk co-signed the Open Letter on Artificial Intelligence, advocating for the ban of autonomous weapons due to the potential existential threat posed by AI.
2015: Hyperloop Design Competition Announcement
In 2015, Musk announced a design competition for building Hyperloop pods, which would operate on a SpaceX-sponsored track, marking the start of the Hyperloop pod competition.
2015: Co-founding of OpenAI
In 2015, he co-founded OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research company.
2015: Starlink Development Begins
SpaceX began development of the Starlink constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites in 2015 to provide satellite Internet access.
2015: First Stage Landing of Falcon 9
SpaceX successfully landed the first stage of a Falcon 9 on an inland platform in 2015, working towards its goal of reusable rockets.
2015: Model X Launched
The Tesla Model X, a crossover, was launched in 2015.
2016: Tesla Acquires SolarCity
Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016 and it became Tesla Energy.
2016: Neuralink Founded
In 2016, Elon Musk co-founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology startup, with a \$100 million investment. Neuralink aims to develop brain-machine interfaces with the potential to enhance human capabilities and address neurological conditions.
2016: Awarded the Annual Luddite Award
In 2016, Musk received the Annual Luddite Award from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation for his perceived alarmist stance on AI.
2016: Tesla Acquires SolarCity
Tesla, under the leadership of Elon Musk, acquired SolarCity in 2016 for over \$2 billion. The acquisition aimed to integrate SolarCity with Tesla's battery division, creating Tesla Energy.
2016: Voted for Hillary Clinton
Elon Musk voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
2016: Musk Allegedly Engages in Sexual Misconduct
In 2016, Elon Musk was alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a SpaceX flight attendant. These allegations, which surfaced in 2022, were accompanied by claims of a $250,000 severance agreement to suppress the accusations.
2016: Musk and Riley Finalize Second Divorce
Elon Musk and Talulah Riley finalized their second divorce in 2016. This marked the end of their on-again, off-again relationship.
January 2017: Hyperloop Pod Competition Begins
In January 2017, the Hyperloop pod competition began, using a mile-long track sponsored by SpaceX. The competition encouraged students and others to build Hyperloop pods for testing.
July 2017: Verbal Approval for East Coast Hyperloop
In July 2017, Musk announced that he had received verbal government approval to build a Hyperloop connecting New York City to Washington, D.C., with stops in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
2017: Initial Interest in Buying Twitter
Elon Musk began expressing interest in acquiring Twitter as early as 2017, driven by concerns about the platform's commitment to free speech principles.
2017: Musk Dates Amber Heard
Elon Musk dated Amber Heard, an American actress, for several months in 2017. Reports suggest that he had been pursuing her since 2012.
2017: Resignation from Presidential Advisory Councils
Elon Musk resigned from two presidential business advisory councils in 2017, following President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.
2017: Boring Company Founded
In 2017, Elon Musk established the Boring Company, a tunneling venture aimed at developing underground transportation systems to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas.
2017: Elon Musk Purchases X.com Domain
Musk purchased the X.com domain from PayPal for its "sentimental value" in 2017.
2017: Model 3 Released
Tesla released its mass-market sedan, the Model 3, in 2017, which became the all-time bestselling plug-in electric car worldwide.
2017: Buffalo Solar Plant Operational
The construction of SolarCity's advanced production facility in Buffalo, New York, was completed in 2017. The plant operated in partnership with Panasonic until 2020.
February 2018: First Two Prototype Starlink Satellites Launched
In February 2018, SpaceX launched the first two prototype satellites for its Starlink constellation, aiming to provide satellite Internet access.
July 2018: Musk Aids in Thai Cave Rescue
In July 2018, Elon Musk arranged for his employees to build a mini-submarine to assist in the rescue of children trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand.
September 2018: Musk Samples Cannabis on Podcast
Elon Musk sampled a cannabis-laced cigar during an interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast in September 2018.
November 2018: Musk and SpaceX Reach Severance Agreement
In November 2018, Elon Musk, SpaceX, and the flight attendant allegedly entered into a severance agreement. The attendant reportedly received $250,000 in exchange for agreeing not to sue over the sexual misconduct allegations.
2018: Criticism of Musk's Private Jet Usage
Elon Musk faced criticism for his extensive use of private jets, particularly in 2018 when his jet logged over 150,000 miles, due to the environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption.
2018: Los Angeles Tunnel Debut
A test tunnel constructed by the Boring Company in Los Angeles was unveiled to journalists in 2018. The tunnel, less than two miles long, utilized Tesla Model X vehicles but was criticized for a bumpy ride and slower-than-expected speeds.
2018: Elon Musk Leaves OpenAI Board
In 2018, Elon Musk resigned from the OpenAI board to prevent potential conflicts of interest with his role as CEO of Tesla, as Tesla's involvement in AI through Autopilot increased.
2018: Model 3 Production Hell
In 2018, Musk's demanding leadership style was evident during Tesla's Model 3 production hell, where he frequently fired employees. His approach included expecting staff to work up to 80 hours a week and signing strict non-disclosure agreements.
2018: Musk Foundation's Significant Contributions
In 2018, the Musk Foundation allocated $100 million to establish a new higher education university in Texas and supported various nonprofit organizations.
2018: SEC Sues Musk for Tweet About Taking Tesla Private
In 2018, the SEC sued Elon Musk for a tweet stating funding had been secured for potentially taking Tesla private, claiming it was false, misleading, and harmful to investors. Musk settled without admitting or denying the allegations, paying a \$20 million fine and stepping down as Tesla chairman for three years while remaining CEO.
2018: SEC Lawsuit Against Elon Musk
In 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Musk, alleging that he had falsely announced that he had secured funding for a private takeover of Tesla.
2018: Falcon Heavy Launch
SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy in 2018, with the inaugural mission carrying Elon Musk's personal Tesla Roadster as a dummy payload.
2018: Chicago and Los Angeles Tunnel Projects Cancelled
Two tunnel projects announced by the Boring Company in 2018, one in Chicago and the other in West Los Angeles, were subsequently canceled.
2018: Musk and Grimes Begin Dating
In 2018, Elon Musk and Grimes, a Canadian musician, announced their relationship, embarking on a high-profile romance.
March 2019: Musk Honored for Thai Cave Rescue Efforts
In March 2019, Elon Musk was among 187 individuals who received honors from the King of Thailand for their involvement in the Thai cave rescue effort.
April 2019: Musk Releases "RIP Harambe"
In April 2019, Elon Musk, through his label Emo G Records, released a rap track titled "RIP Harambe" on SoundCloud.
May 2019: First 60 Operational Starlink Satellites Launched
In May 2019, the first 60 operational Starlink satellites were launched, marking the first large deployment of a piece of the constellation.
October 2019: Neuralink Research Paper
In October 2019, a research paper detailing some of Neuralink's research was published, with Elon Musk listed as the sole author. This move caused some friction within the Neuralink team.
December 2019: Musk's Defamation Trial Begins
In December 2019, a defamation case filed against Elon Musk by Vernon Unsworth, a British caver, began. Unsworth sought $190 million in damages related to a tweet Musk made about him.
2019: Neuralink's "Sewing Machine" Device Announcement
Elon Musk, in 2019, revealed Neuralink's work on a device designed to embed threads into the human brain, resembling a sewing machine.
2019: Musk Becomes Longest-Tenured CEO of any Automotive Manufacturer
By 2019, Elon Musk became the longest-tenured CEO of any automotive manufacturer globally.
2019: Cybertruck Unveiled
Tesla unveiled its all-electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, in 2019.
2019: Musk Discusses Cannabis Use on "60 Minutes"
In a 2019 interview on "60 Minutes," Elon Musk stated that he does not smoke pot.
2019: SEC Dispute Over Tesla Production Tweet
In 2019, Elon Musk faced scrutiny from the SEC after tweeting about Tesla's projected car production. The SEC alleged that the tweet violated a prior settlement agreement, leading to legal action. Ultimately, the dispute was resolved with a revised agreement clarifying communication guidelines for Musk.
2019: Starship Development Begins
SpaceX began developing Starship in 2019, a fully-reusable, super-heavy-lift launch vehicle intended to replace the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy.
January 2020: Shareholder Lawsuit Settlement
In January 2020, Tesla's directors reached a settlement in the shareholder lawsuit regarding the SolarCity acquisition. Elon Musk remained the sole defendant in the case.
March 2020: Musk Downplays COVID-19 Risks
In March 2020, Elon Musk publicly downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the panic "dumb" and referring to the virus as a "specific form of the common cold." He also made inaccurate claims about the virus's impact on children.
March 2020: Musk Offers Ventilator Support, Delivers Different Devices
In March 2020, Elon Musk offered to produce and donate ventilators to address potential shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he ended up donating BiPAP and CPAP machines, which are different devices that support breathing but do not provide full ventilation.
March 2020: Musk Defies Lockdown Orders
In March 2020, Elon Musk defied local shelter-in-place orders and initially refused to close the Tesla Fremont Factory. This decision sparked controversy and raised concerns about worker safety.
March 19, 2020: Musk Predicts Zero New COVID-19 Cases
On March 19, 2020, Elon Musk incorrectly predicted that there would be close to zero new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. by the end of April. This statement was widely criticized for being inaccurate and overly optimistic.
May 2020: Musk Reopens Tesla Factory Despite Orders
In May 2020, Elon Musk reopened the Tesla factory against local stay-at-home orders, potentially jeopardizing worker unemployment benefits. This action further fueled the controversy surrounding his stance on COVID-19 restrictions.
May 2020: Musk and Grimes Welcome Son
Grimes gave birth to her and Musk's son in May 2020. The couple's choice of an unconventional name, initially violating California regulations, drew attention.
August 2020: Musk Acquires Second Private Jet
In August 2020, Elon Musk acquired his second private jet.
September 2020: Musk Declines Vaccination, Cites Lack of Risk
In September 2020, Elon Musk declared he would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, stating that he and his children were not at risk. This decision contradicted public health recommendations and sparked debate.
2020: Model Y Launched
The Tesla Model Y crossover was launched in 2020.
2020: Joint Venture Ends
The joint venture between SolarCity's Buffalo plant and Panasonic ended in early 2020.
2020: Tesla Becomes Most Valuable Carmaker and Enters S&P 500
In the summer of 2020, Tesla became the most valuable carmaker and was later included in the S&P 500.
2020: Musk Relocates to Texas
Elon Musk relocated from California to Austin, Texas, in late 2020. He cited California's complacency towards its economic success as a reason for the move.
2020: Live Demonstration of Neuralink Device
During a 2020 live demonstration, Elon Musk described an early Neuralink device as "a Fitbit in your skull." He suggested it could have the potential to cure various conditions, including paralysis, deafness, and blindness, but these claims drew criticism from neuroscientists for being overly speculative. The demonstration also featured a pig with a Neuralink implant that tracked neural activity related to smell.
2020: Endorsements and Voting in the 2020 Election
During the 2020 election, Musk endorsed Andrew Yang and Kanye West, and voted for Joe Biden.
2020: Musk Foundation Donations
By 2020, the Musk Foundation had made 350 donations, supporting scientific research and education nonprofits. Notable beneficiaries include the Wikimedia Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania.
2020: Lawsuit Over "Too High" Tesla Stock Tweet
In 2020, Elon Musk faced a lawsuit regarding a tweet in which he commented on Tesla's stock price, stating it was "too high." The lawsuit claimed that the tweet violated his agreement with the SEC. However, a judge prevented the lawsuit from proceeding.
2020: Philanthropy Criticism
In 2020, Forbes gave Musk a philanthropy score of 1, criticizing him for donating less than 1% of his net worth, despite his significant wealth.
2020: Twitter Moderation Controversy
In 2020, Musk released internal Twitter documents related to the moderation of Hunter Biden's laptop controversy leading up to the U.S. presidential election. This move was part of his broader effort to lessen content moderation on the platform.
2020: First Crewed Flight, Demo-2
In 2020, SpaceX launched its first crewed flight, the Demo-2, becoming the first private company to place astronauts into orbit and dock a crewed spacecraft with the ISS.
June 2021: Model 3 Becomes First Electric Car to Sell 1 Million Units
In June 2021, the Tesla Model 3 became the first electric car to sell 1 million units globally.
September 2021: Musk and Grimes Announce Separation
In September 2021, Elon Musk and Grimes confirmed reports of their separation. While they remained involved as parents, their romantic relationship shifted.
October 2021: Tesla Reaches \$1 Trillion Market Cap
In October 2021, Tesla reached a market capitalization of \$1 trillion, becoming the sixth company in U.S. history to achieve this.
November 2021: Massive Tesla Stock Donation
In November 2021, Musk donated $5.7 billion worth of Tesla shares to charity, significantly boosting the Musk Foundation's assets. However, the donation primarily benefited causes connected to Musk and his businesses.
November 2021: Musk Proposes Selling 10% of Tesla Stock
In November 2021, Elon Musk proposed selling 10% of his Tesla stock on Twitter after receiving support from over 3.5 million accounts. He sold \$6.9 billion worth of Tesla stock within a week and a total of \$16.4 billion by year-end, reaching his target.
November 2021: Musk Fathers Twins with Shivon Zilis
Elon Musk fathered twins with Shivon Zilis in November 2021, weeks before his second child with Grimes was born via surrogacy.
December 2021: Musk Reveals Vaccination Status, Opposes Mandates
In December 2021, Elon Musk disclosed that he and his eligible children had received the COVID-19 vaccine. He acknowledged the science behind the vaccine but expressed opposition to vaccine mandates, demonstrating his complex stance on the issue.
December 2021: Musk and Grimes Welcome Daughter via Surrogate
Elon Musk and Grimes welcomed their second child, a daughter, in December 2021 via surrogacy, despite their relationship being described as "semi-separated."
2021: Musk Publicly Shares Asperger's Syndrome
While hosting Saturday Night Live in 2021, Elon Musk publicly announced that he has Asperger's syndrome. However, he has not received an official medical diagnosis.
2021: Self-Driving Car Controversy
In 2021, Musk faced criticism from Tesla engineers for branding the company's vehicles as self-driving, which they argued put customers' lives at risk. Some employees resigned due to this decision, highlighting concerns about Musk's leadership.
2021: Macaque Monkey Plays Pong with Neuralink Implant
Neuralink released a video in 2021 showcasing a macaque monkey successfully playing the video game Pong using a Neuralink implant.
2021: Las Vegas Tunnel Completion
In early 2021, the Boring Company completed a tunnel beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center. Local authorities granted approval for further expansion of the tunnel system.
2021: Musk Encourages GameStop Short Squeeze
In early 2021, Elon Musk encouraged the GameStop short squeeze, a phenomenon where retail investors drove up the price of GameStop stock to counter short sellers.
2021: Removal of DC-to-Baltimore Hyperloop Mention
In 2021, the mention of the DC-to-Baltimore leg of the Hyperloop project was removed from the Boring Company website, indicating a shift in project priorities.
2021: Tesla's Bitcoin Purchase and Reversal
In 2021, Tesla announced it had bought $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and would accept it as payment, decisions influenced by Elon Musk's public support for cryptocurrencies. However, facing criticism over the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, Tesla reversed its decision to accept Bitcoin payments a few months later.
2021: Advocacy for Population Growth and Mars Colonization
In 2021, Elon Musk voiced concerns about declining birth rates, emphasizing the need for population growth to enable the colonization of Mars.
2021: Musk Changes Title to "Technoking"
In 2021, Elon Musk nominally changed his title to "Technoking" while retaining his position as CEO of Tesla.
January 2022: Twitter Share Purchases Begin
Elon Musk initiated the purchase of Twitter shares in January 2022, eventually amassing a 9.2% stake in the company by April, becoming its largest shareholder.
February 2022: Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
In February 2022, Elon Musk was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. This prestigious honor highlighted his significant contributions to engineering and technology.
February 2022: SEC Investigates Musk for Insider Trading
In February 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon and Kimbal Musk were under investigation by the SEC for possible insider trading related to the Tesla stock sale.
March 2022: Musk and Grimes Describe Relationship as "Fluid"
In March 2022, Grimes described her relationship with Elon Musk as "fluid," acknowledging the unconventional nature of their dynamic despite their separation.
April 14, 2022
No event details provided for this date.
April 2022: Judge Rules Musk's Tweet About Taking Tesla Private was False
In April 2022, a federal judge ruled that Elon Musk's tweet stating funding was secured for potentially taking Tesla private was false, according to a shareholder who sued Musk over the tweet.
May 2022: Musk Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations
After the sexual misconduct allegations against him surfaced in May 2022, Elon Musk denied any wrongdoing. He framed the accusations as a politically motivated attack and highlighted his long career without previous harassment claims.
May 2022: Meeting with Brazilian President Bolsonaro
In May 2022, Musk traveled to Brazil to discuss environmental protection projects for the Amazon rainforest with President Jair Bolsonaro.
July 12, 2022: Twitter Sues Musk
On July 12, 2022, Twitter filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk in the Delaware Chancery Court, alleging breach of contract for attempting to back out of the acquisition agreement.
July 2022: News Breaks of Musk's Twins with Shivon Zilis
In July 2022, news broke that Elon Musk had twins with Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive, in November 2021. This revelation raised ethical concerns due to their professional relationship.
October 2022: Starlink Terminals Sent to Ukraine
In October 2022, Elon Musk sent Starlink terminals to Ukraine to provide Internet access and communication during the Russian invasion, stating that about 20,000 satellite terminals had been donated along with free data transfer subscriptions.
October 2022: Proposed Peace Plan for Ukraine War
In October 2022, Elon Musk proposed a peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting a neutral status for Ukraine and the retention of Crimea by Russia, raising concerns and drawing criticism.
October 2022: Acquisition Completion
In October 2022, Elon Musk reversed course and proceeded with the acquisition of Twitter for \$54.20 per share. The deal was officially finalized on October 27, 2022.
December 2022: Musk Bans ElonJet Account and Journalists on Twitter
In December 2022, Elon Musk banned the ElonJet Twitter account, which tracked his private jet usage, and suspended the accounts of journalists who reported on the incident, citing concerns about doxxing and harassment.
December 2022: Musk Calls for Fauci's Prosecution
In December 2022, Elon Musk called for the prosecution of Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This statement reflected Musk's ongoing criticism of COVID-19 policies and public health officials.
December 2022: Musk Sells Tesla Stock
In December 2022, Elon Musk sold $3.6 billion worth of Tesla stock, equivalent to 22 million shares, despite previously stating he would not sell any more shares.
2022: Tesla Workforce Reduction
In 2022, Musk announced plans to reduce Tesla's workforce by 10% due to economic concerns. That same month, he also suspended remote work at SpaceX and Tesla, threatening to fire employees who did not work 40 hours a week in the office.
2022: Elon Musk Discusses "X, the Everything App"
Musk discussed a goal of creating "X, the everything app" in 2022.
2022: Acquisition of Twitter
In 2022, he acquired Twitter for $44 billion. He subsequently merged the company into newly created X Corp. and rebranded the service as X the following year.
2022: Federal Probe into Animal Welfare
In 2022, a federal investigation was initiated into Neuralink's animal testing practices due to allegations of animal cruelty and potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
2022: Musk Foundation's Funding Shortfall
In 2022, The New York Times reported that the Musk Foundation gave away $230 million less than required by law to maintain tax-deductible status, with over half the funds going to causes connected to Musk and his family.
2022: Clinical Trials Announcement
In 2022, Neuralink declared that clinical trials for its devices would commence by the end of the year.
2022: Musk Steps Down as Twitter CEO
In 2022, Musk pledged to step down as CEO of Twitter after a poll indicated users wanted him to do so. Five months later, he appointed Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO and transitioned to the role of executive chairman and chief technology officer.
2022: Musk's Eldest Child Changes Name and Distances Herself
In 2022, Elon Musk's eldest twin officially changed her name to reflect her gender identity as a trans woman and adopted her mother's last name, Wilson, expressing a desire to distance herself from her father.
2022: Article in China Cyberspace
In 2022, Elon Musk wrote an article for China Cyberspace, raising concerns about potential conflicts with his advocacy for free speech.
2022: Musk Undergoes Random Drug Tests
In 2022, Elon Musk revealed that he and other SpaceX employees were subjected to random drug tests for approximately a year following the 2018 incident on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.
2022: Shift in Political Support
In 2022, Elon Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party and encouraged independent voters to support Republicans.
2022: Hawthorne Tunnel Project Discontinued
In 2022, the tunnel project to Hawthorne Municipal Airport was discontinued and repurposed as parking spaces for SpaceX employees, as part of a shift in infrastructure plans.
February 2023: Jury Finds Musk and Tesla Not Liable
In February 2023, a jury found Elon Musk and Tesla not liable in the lawsuit concerning Musk's tweet about taking Tesla private.
March 9, 2023: Twitter Files Hearing
On March 9, 2023, the United States House Committee on the Judiciary held hearings on the Twitter Files. Journalists Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger provided testimony during these hearings, discussing the internal documents released by Musk.
March 2023: Founding of xAI
In March 2023, Musk founded xAI, an artificial intelligence company.
April 2023: U.S. Virgin Islands Subpoena Effort
In April 2023, the U.S. Virgin Islands sought to subpoena Elon Musk for documents in a lawsuit alleging JPMorgan Chase profited from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Despite difficulties in locating Musk, the efforts did not implicate him in any wrongdoing nor sought his testimony under oath.
May 2023: Declined to Endorse Specific Candidate
As of May 2023, Musk chose not to endorse any specific candidate for the upcoming elections.
June 20, 2023: Musk Meets Indian Prime Minister
On June 20, 2023, Elon Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York City, suggesting he might invest in India.
July 12, 2023: Elon Musk Launches xAI
On July 12, 2023, Elon Musk launched xAI, an artificial intelligence company focused on developing a generative AI program to compete with existing offerings like ChatGPT.
August 2023: Support for Vivek Ramaswamy
In August 2023, Elon Musk hosted Vivek Ramaswamy on Twitter Spaces and expressed his support.
September 2023: Grimes Files Custody Dispute Petition
In September 2023, Musk's former girlfriend Grimes filed a parental relationship petition as part of a custody dispute. This legal move followed her public accusation that Musk was blocking her access to their youngest child.
September 2023: Approval for Human Trials
In September 2023, Neuralink received approval to begin human trials for its brain-machine interface technology. The company plans to conduct a six-year study.
September 2023: Musk and Grimes Reportedly Have Third Child
In September 2023, reports surfaced that Elon Musk and Grimes had welcomed their third child, a son.
October 2023: SEC Sues Musk Over Testimony Refusal
In October 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Musk, alleging that he refused to testify in an investigation into his 2022 purchase of Twitter stock. Musk had previously testified twice in 2022 but declined a third testimony in 2023, claiming harassment by the SEC.
October 2023: Grimes Sues Musk Over Parental Rights
Grimes filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk in October 2023, seeking custody and parental rights over their eldest son. This legal action signaled ongoing challenges in their co-parenting relationship.
October 2023: Defamation Lawsuit by Ben Brody
In October 2023, Ben Brody filed a defamation lawsuit against Musk, claiming Musk falsely identified him as a participant in a violent brawl associated with a neo-Nazi group. Brody alleged that Musk's statements led to harassment and threats against him and his family.
November 10, 2023: Criticism of Israel's Actions in Gaza
On November 10, 2023, Elon Musk criticized Israel's response in the Gaza Strip during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.
November 2023: Musk's Twitter Usage
As of November 2023, Elon Musk has over 163 million followers on Twitter (now known as X) and is known for his active engagement on the platform.
November 15, 2023: Controversial Reply to Antisemitic Tweet
On November 15, 2023, Musk replied "You have said the actual truth" to a tweet containing antisemitic statements, sparking widespread controversy and criticism.
November 17, 2023: Policy Change on X Platform
On November 17, 2023, Musk announced a policy change on the X platform, targeting terms that imply genocide of Jewish people.
November 20, 2023: X Files Lawsuit Against Media Matters
On November 20, 2023, X filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court in Texas against Media Matters, alleging that the organization manipulated the X platform by using accounts that followed major brands and scrolling until finding ads next to extremist posts.
November 29, 2023: Confrontation with Bob Iger and Admission of Mistake
At the DealBook Summit on November 29, 2023, Musk engaged in a heated exchange with Disney CEO Bob Iger over advertising on X. He admitted that his tweet endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory was a mistake.
2023: New Republic's Scoundrel of the Year
In 2023, The New Republic named Elon Musk its 'Scoundrel of the Year' due to a tumultuous year filled with changes and controversies surrounding his activities at X and beyond.
2023: Errol Musk Clarifies Emerald Mine Ownership
In 2023, Errol Musk clarified that he had a deal to receive a portion of the emeralds produced at three small mines, rather than being a part owner of a Zambian emerald mine.
2023: Equivalent Value of Zip2's Startup Capital
The $28,000 used to start Zip2 is equivalent to $56,000 in 2023.
2023: Funding Discrepancy Revelation
In 2023, Musk tweeted that he had donated $100 million to OpenAI, but investigations revealed that only $15 million could be traced from public records. Musk later clarified the donation amount was around $50 million.
January 2024: Musk's $55 Billion Pay Package Rescinded
In January 2024, Delaware Judge Kathaleen McCormick ruled that Musk's $55 billion pay package from Tesla, granted in 2018, be rescinded, calling it an unfair sum to shareholders. Following the ruling, Musk criticized Delaware's incorporation laws on social media.
January 2024: Visit to Auschwitz and Conference on Antisemitism
In January 2024, Elon Musk visited the Auschwitz concentration camp and participated in a conference discussing rising antisemitism.
April 2024: Elon Musk's Net Worth Estimated by Forbes
In April 2024, Forbes estimated Elon Musk's net worth to be $196 billion.
2024: Support for Ron DeSantis
Elon Musk has voiced his support for Ron DeSantis in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.