Elon Musk, a figure who often garners attention both for his groundbreaking work and personal life, recently became the center of a viral conversation—this time about his appearance.
A photo of the billionaire surfaced online, showing him with what appeared to be an enlarged chest and stomach, which quickly sparked widespread speculation about his health. Some speculated that Musk might have developed a condition known as “barrel chest,” in which the chest appears more puffed out than usual, often associated with lung issues.
The image set off a flurry of online rumors: Was Musk battling a hidden health problem? Was this indicative of something serious?
The Truth Behind the Viral Image
Elon Musk’s name is often a subject of intense discussion, but recently, it’s not his business ventures or political views that have been in the spotlight—it’s his body.
On November 10, a photo of Musk with an unusually large chest and stomach went viral on X (formerly Twitter), quickly sparking curiosity and concern.
The image was widely shared, but there was one major issue—it wasn’t authentic. Despite being debunked by fact-checkers and media outlets, the manipulated image spread rapidly. The tweet, posted by the now-deleted account “evan loves morf,” claimed that Musk “always posts AI images of himself because he actually looks like this.” Along with the edited photo, the tweet included a computer-generated image of Musk, which gained over 17.4 million views and 423,000 likes.
The Barrel Chest Speculation
Within hours, the altered image was circulated further, and many online users began speculating that Musk had developed “barrel chest.” This condition, in which the chest appears more rounded and puffed up, can be a sign of an underlying health issue, particularly lung-related conditions. Barrel chest occurs when excess air fills the lungs, causing the ribs and chest to protrude. In some cases, it can also result in a more prominent sternum and raised collarbones.
While this theory gained traction, it was important to note that the image circulating online had been clearly manipulated, rendering such speculations unfounded.
Origins of the Fake Photo
As noted by Snopes, the viral image was a product of digital manipulation and was not a legitimate representation of Musk’s body. The altered photo originated from a YouTube video posted on June 22, 2024, titled First Look Inside SpaceX’s Starfactory with Elon Musk. Around the two-minute mark of the video, a genuine image of Musk was taken, which was later edited to exaggerate his chest and stomach, creating the misleading viral photo.
Despite the frenzy caused by the manipulated image, Musk chose to remain largely silent on the matter. This, however, wasn’t the first time the entrepreneur’s body—or his lifestyle—caught public attention.
The Yacht Photo Controversy
In addition to the recent fake photo, Musk made headlines a few years back when he was photographed on a luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea. The viral pictures, which showed Musk shirtless, led to a barrage of body-shaming and ridicule. However, Musk didn’t let the criticism get to him.
He responded with humor on Twitter, saying, “Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often… free the nip!! (already back in the factory btw).”
Musk’s Diet and Weight Loss Journey
Elon Musk, 53, has been candid about his journey with weight loss, revealing that he has lost more than 20 pounds from what he described as an “unhealthy peak weight.” He has also openly admitted to using Wegovy, an FDA-approved medication for chronic weight management.
Known for his intermittent fasting habits, Musk alternates between fasting and eating, which he claims has helped him manage his weight. However, he’s also admitted that his eating habits aren’t the healthiest.
Musk once tweeted, “I eat a donut every morning. Still alive,” in response to claims from a doctor that sugar is “poison.” His diet includes steak, sushi, chocolate, coffee, and caffeine-free Diet Coke, but he has a notable aversion to vegetables.
Elon Musk’s Body: An Ongoing Topic of Public Discussion
From viral photos to online debates about his health and diet, Elon Musk’s body continues to be a focal point of public conversation—often overshadowing his notable accomplishments. Despite the criticisms and speculations, Musk appears to take it all in stride, maintaining a sense of humor and reminding everyone that he’s simply living his life—donuts, body rumors, and all.
While the speculation surrounding his health may have been based on a fake image, one thing remains clear: Elon Musk continues to capture the public’s attention, even when it’s over something as personal as his physical appearance. And as for his body? It’s likely to remain a topic of conversation, regardless of the facts.