Elon Musk is no stranger to public scrutiny, but lately, the discussions surrounding him haven’t just been about his business ventures or political opinions—they’ve shifted to something much more personal: his body.
The image quickly gained traction, sparking a storm of comments and speculations. Some online users even suggested Musk might have a condition called “barrel chest,” where the chest appears unusually rounded. While barrel chest can sometimes be linked to lung conditions, in this case, the reality was far simpler: the image was a fake.
Despite multiple fact-checks confirming that the image had been manipulated, the damage was done. The tweet, posted by the now-deleted account “evan loves morf,” claimed that Musk’s real appearance was being hidden by AI-generated photos of him. The tweet included the altered image, along with a fabricated AI-generated picture, leading to over 17 million views and 423,000 likes.
The photo in question didn’t come from a mysterious source—it was actually based on a moment from a June 2024 YouTube video titled First Look Inside SpaceX’s Starfactory with Elon Musk. Around the two-minute mark, Musk’s image was altered, exaggerating his chest and stomach to create the distorted version that made its way to the internet.
While the misleading photo sparked wild theories about Musk’s health, it was clear that the viral speculation had no basis in reality. Despite the confusion, Musk remained silent on the matter.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s body has been scrutinized. A few years ago, photos of him vacationing aboard a luxurious yacht in the Aegean Sea went viral, with many engaging in body-shaming and cruel remarks. Musk, however, responded with humor, tweeting, “Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often … free the nip!! (already back in the factory btw).”
Elon Musk, 53, has been open about his weight loss efforts. He’s lost over 20 pounds from what he considered his “unhealthy peak weight,” and has been candid about his use of Wegovy, an FDA-approved medication for weight management.
Known for his intermittent fasting routine, Musk cycles between periods of eating and fasting, but he’s also admitted that his eating habits aren’t always the healthiest. He’s famously tweeted, “I eat a donut every morning. Still alive,” in response to critics of sugar. His typical diet includes steak, sushi, chocolate, coffee, and caffeine-free Diet Coke, with a notable aversion to vegetables.
From viral yacht photos to debates over his diet and health, Elon Musk’s body continues to be a popular topic of conversation. Whether it’s based on reality or the product of online rumors, one thing is certain: Musk remains a figure of endless fascination and controversy.
Despite the sometimes harsh commentary, Musk doesn’t seem too bothered by the attention. In fact, he seems to take it all with good humor, reminding the world that, like anyone, he’s simply living his life—donuts and all.
While the latest viral image might have been a fabrication, it’s clear that Elon Musk’s presence—whether on a yacht, in a photo, or even at the dinner table—is sure to keep the public talking.