FACT CHECK: Viral Image Does Not Show Authentic X Post From Elon Musk

A viral image shared on X purports to show a post from Elon Musk reading, “The USA needs to hold an election.”

Screenshot captured via X

Verdict: False

An advanced search of Musk’s verified X account @elonmusk does not return any results for the purported remark, and there is no other evidence suggesting Musk made the purported remark.

Fact Check:

Musk said X, the platform which he owns, experienced a “massive cyberattack” on March 10, according to Politico. The attack impacted users’ ability to view posts and profiles on the platform, the outlet reported.

The X image, viewed over 500,000 times as of writing, purports to show a post from Musk reading, “The USA needs to hold an election.”

“The USA needs to hold an election. Trump would lose by a landslide,” the purported post reads in full. “Did I miss something?” the image’s caption reads.

The claim is false. Check Your Fact performed an advanced search of Musk’s verified X account @elonmusk and did not find any results for the purported remark. Likewise, President Donald Trump does not appear to have commented on the claim via his personal or government X accounts, his TRUTH Social account, or his verified social media accounts.

Additionally, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim. In fact, the opposite is true. On March 8, Lead Stories debunked the claim, labeling the screenshot as “fake.” According to the outlet, the image is likely a parody of a genuine X post made by Musk. “Ukraine needs to hold an election. Zelensky would lose by a landslide,” the actual post from Musk reads.

This is not the first time a false claim has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked an X image purporting to show a post from Trump claiming a president should be impeached if the DOW Jones dropped 1,000 points.