The Elon Musk Hype Cycle

Three years ago, Musk set a “delusional” goal.

Elon Musk in 2017. — Elon Musk in 2017.
Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Take our Survey

January 11, 2021 at 11:45 AM UTC

Hey y’all, it’s Austin. On Jan. 7, Elon Musk hit a stunning milestone. Thanks to an unprecedented surge in Tesla Inc.’s share price, the electric-vehicle maker chief’s wealth soared past that of Jeff Bezos, making Musk the richest person on the planet.

“How strange,” Musk tweeted in reaction.