ELON MUSK SPARKS GLOBAL DEBATE, SAYS MONEY DOES NOT GUARANTEE HAPPINESS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ignited a worldwide conversation on wealth and wellbeing after declaring that money does not buy happiness.

The billionaire made the comment on Thursday via X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about.”

The post quickly went viral, amassing more than 52.1 million views, about 57,000 reposts, and over 363,000 likes, along with thousands of comments. The statement sparked mixed reactions, with social media users debating the true value of financial wealth.

Some users agreed with Musk, noting that money cannot shield individuals from emotional struggles or personal challenges. Others argued that financial security improves quality of life and provides access to opportunities that can indirectly contribute to happiness.

The discussion also resonated strongly in Nigeria, where users linked Musk’s comment to Afrobeat star Adekunle Gold’s 2021 hit song, It Is What It Is, which expresses a similar sentiment: “Money no dey bring happiness oh / Na when I get money I realise oh.”

Musk, whose net worth has fluctuated sharply due to Tesla’s share price, did not provide further context for the post. He has frequently spoken about the pressures associated with extreme wealth and leadership, while remaining in the spotlight for his growing influence in U.S. politics and scrutiny of his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI.

On December 16, 2025, Musk became the first person in history to reach a net worth of $638 billion, representing a 42.7% increase from December 2024, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

In October, Musk expanded his technology footprint with the launch of Grokipedia, an online encyclopedia, further cementing his influence in the global tech sector.

The post continues to spark debates on the balance between wealth, personal wellbeing, and life satisfaction across social media platforms worldwide.