Elon Musk has reached a financial milestone that no human in history has ever achieved. Yet, he seems to have found a limit to what that money can actually do.
Only days after his net worth soared past the $800 billion mark, the tech mogul took to his social media platform, X, to share a surprisingly somber thought.
A Pensive Post
Despite his soaring bank balance, Musk’s public mood appeared downcast on 5 February 2026. He posted a message that quickly went viral, stating that the old adage about money and happiness was correct.
The post, accompanied by a pensive face emoji, garnered over 14.9 million views in a matter of hours.
“Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about,” Musk tweeted.
This admission comes after a period of rapid wealth accumulation. Musk has hit four major net worth milestones in just four months, rising from $500 billion in October to his current peak.
Public Reaction: From Prayer to Pragmatism
The response from the public was swift and varied, with many users offering spiritual advice or reflecting on the nature of struggle.
Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) told the billionaire: “Oh Elon, that void you’re feeling is the lack of Jesus Christ in your life. It’s time!!”
Similarly, Wayne_Yong_ (@Wayne_Yong_) cited the Bible, noting that “nothing will ever be able to replace that joy” found in faith.
Others took a more practical or humorous approach to the billionaire’s plight. A user known as Code (@CodeXBT) replied: “Send me 1 million dollars so I can understand you.”
Meanwhile, Nancy Isime (@NancyIsime678) offered a nuanced perspective on the stress of poverty.
“Money might not guarantee happiness, but lack of it can stress your soul in ways people don’t talk about.” — @NancyIsime678
Debating Wealth and Purpose
The post also sparked discussions about wealth inequality. Derek Guy (@dieworkwear) suggested that if the goal is to maximise global happiness, wealth should be redistributed to “poor and sick people” where it could save lives.
Some followers expressed genuine concern for Musk’s mental state. Cillian (@CilComLFC) asked Musk what had been on his mind, writing: “It feels like lately you’ve been searching for a darker place to hide… I REFUSE to lose another hero.”
The $852 Billion Milestone
Earlier this week, Musk became the first person in history to be worth more than $800 billion. This massive surge followed the news that his rocket company, SpaceX, had acquired his artificial intelligence firm, xAI.
Forbes estimates the deal added roughly $84 billion to his personal fortune.
The merger valued the combined company at a staggering 852 billion**. He is now more than half a trillion dollars richer than the world’s second-wealthiest person, Google co-founder Larry Page.
BY moses sagwe
