As President Donald Trump today returns to the White House, eyes will also be on one his closest pals - Elon Musk. Billionaire Musk has formed a firm alliance with the twice-impeached US President in recent years, and has made no secret of his loyalty to the MAGA movement.
And his vocal support of the divisive businessman turned politician has taken Musk, 53, into powerful new circles, with the tech mogul appointed as co-lead in Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency. Trump, who once blasted Musk as a "bull**** artist" back in less amicable times, has spoken warmly of his affection for the SpaceX entrepreneur, but not everybody is too keen on this high-profile new appointment.
Indeed, there are those who've expressed serious concern over Musk's habit of spreading worrying misinformation with his legions of worshipping followers. Here, the Mirror takes a look at just some unfounded conspiracy theories circulated by Musk... Musk has spread a number of false claims about COVID over the years, and his views on this matter appear to have shifted somewhat. In a 2021 interview with Time, Musk revealed he and his children had been vaccinated, saying “the science is unequivocal". However, he clarified that he was opposed to vaccine mandates, which he regarded as the “erosion of freedom in America".
In December 2022, Musk appeared to call for Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was the face of the US response to the pandemic, to be prosecuted, posting: “My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci." He also tweeted a photoshopped image of Fauci whispering in President Biden’s ear, with the caption: “JUST ONE MORE LOCKDOWN MY KING…”.
