Elon Musk Is Officially $122 Billion Poorer Than His Peak—As Tesla Stock Erases Most All Of Its Election Rally

Forbes - Mar 6th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and President Trump's chief of cost-cutting, experienced a significant decrease in his net worth as Tesla shares faltered amid the stock market's reaction to newly imposed tariffs by Trump. Musk's wealth dropped by $9.2 billion on Thursday, bringing his total to $342.5 billion, a stark contrast to his all-time high of $464 billion in December when Tesla's stock reached $480 per share. The decline in Tesla's share value, now trading at just above $260, reflects broader market anxieties as the S&P 500 also took a hit, largely due to the tariffs affecting investor sentiment.

The tariffs, targeting countries like Canada, China, and Mexico, have significant implications for Tesla, given its reliance on international markets and parts imports. Tesla's CFO has previously warned about the potential impacts on profitability. Musk's involvement with the Trump administration, particularly his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), adds complexity to Tesla's market position. Wall Street's initial optimism about Musk's political donations translating into regulatory advantages has cooled, as broader geopolitical tensions weigh heavily on the company's outlook and investor confidence.

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RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of Elon Musk's financial status and Tesla's market performance in the context of political and economic developments. It effectively captures readers' attention with specific figures and comparisons, but its lack of source transparency and depth of analysis limits its overall quality.

While the article is clear and accessible, it would benefit from more diverse perspectives and a deeper exploration of the broader implications of the issues discussed. The absence of direct citations and expert opinions raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.

Overall, the story is of interest to readers following financial news and high-profile individuals, but it could enhance its impact and credibility by incorporating a wider range of sources and viewpoints, providing more context and transparency, and exploring the controversial aspects of the topics in greater depth.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story contains several factual claims that require verification, such as the specific figures related to Elon Musk's net worth and Tesla's stock performance. The net worth figures are presented with precision, but without direct citation of sources, making it difficult to confirm their accuracy independently. The claim that Musk's net worth fell by $9.2 billion and is now $342.5 billion aligns with the type of data Forbes typically provides, but without a direct link, this remains unverifiable in the story itself.

Additionally, the article mentions Trump's tariffs affecting the stock market and Tesla's sensitivity to these tariffs, which are plausible given Tesla's international operations. However, the direct impact on the S&P 500 and Tesla's stock price due to these tariffs is not substantiated with data or expert analysis in the article. The mention of Musk's role in the Trump administration and his influence on regulatory matters is a significant claim that is not backed by any official statements or documents within the story.

Some figures, such as the comparative wealth rankings and the specific stock price movements, could be accurate but need cross-referencing with reliable financial news sources or databases. Overall, while the article provides detailed figures and context, the lack of direct source attribution limits its factual accuracy score.

5
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Elon Musk and Tesla's financial and market performance, with an emphasis on the negative impact of Trump's tariffs. This creates an imbalanced view by not including perspectives from other stakeholders, such as Tesla investors, industry analysts, or representatives from the affected countries like China or Canada.

There is a lack of counter-narratives or alternative viewpoints that could provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation. For instance, while it discusses the potential negative impacts of tariffs, it does not explore any possible benefits or the rationale behind these tariffs from an economic policy perspective.

The article also portrays Musk as a significant figure in the Trump administration without providing insights from other political figures or experts on government efficiency. This singular focus on Musk might lead to a skewed perception of his influence and the broader implications of his actions in the political and economic landscape.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting information in a straightforward manner. The use of subheadings like 'Topline' and 'Key Facts' helps organize the content and guide the reader through the main points.

However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of complex topics, such as the impact of tariffs on the stock market and Tesla's operations. Some statements, like Musk's involvement with the Trump administration, are presented without sufficient context, which might confuse readers unfamiliar with the background.

Overall, while the article is easy to read and understand, it could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations and context for the claims made, particularly those involving economic and political dynamics.

4
Source quality

The story lacks direct citations or links to authoritative sources, which diminishes the credibility of the information presented. While it references Forbes for Musk's net worth, there is no direct link or detailed explanation of the methodology used to arrive at these figures.

The absence of quotes or insights from financial analysts, economists, or Tesla representatives weakens the source quality. The article would benefit from incorporating a variety of sources, including official statements from Tesla, market analysts' reports, and economic experts' opinions on the tariffs.

Furthermore, the story's reliance on unnamed or unspecified sources for significant claims, such as Musk's role in the Trump administration, raises questions about the reliability and impartiality of the information.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of the sources of its information and the methodology behind the figures presented. There is no disclosure of how Musk's net worth figures were calculated or the specific data sources used for the stock market analysis.

Additionally, there is no explanation of the potential conflicts of interest or biases that may affect the reporting, such as the relationship between the publication and the subjects discussed. The story does not clarify the basis for its claims about Musk's political involvement or the impact of tariffs, leaving readers without a clear understanding of the underlying evidence.

A more transparent approach would involve citing specific reports, studies, or expert opinions and providing links to original sources or data sets. This would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to verify the information independently.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_of_Elon_Musk
  2. https://economictimes.com/markets/stocks/news/elon-musks-net-worth-bleeds-83-billion-in-2025-is-teslas-golden-era-crumbling/articleshow/118606672.cms
  3. https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/forbes-2025-billionaires-list-rankings-of-worlds-richest-people-9788354/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk
  5. https://www.forbes.com.au/news/billionaires/top-10-richest-people-in-the-world-march-2025/