Elon Musk is officially the wealthiest person in history with a net worth of $334.3 billion, according to Forbes. The dramatic rise follows a rally in Tesla stock, driven by Wall Street optimism about the pro-business stance of US President-elect Donald Trump, a close ally of the billionaire.
Tesla’s stock has surged 40 per cent since Election Day, climbing 3.8 per cent on Friday alone to close at $352.56 – its highest price in over three years. This added $7 billion to Mr Musk’s fortune, pushing his net worth past the previous high of $320.3 billion – set during Tesla’s pandemic-era surge in November 2021.
Elon Musk’s close ties with Trump have fuelled investor confidence.After endorsing Trump earlier this year, Mr Musk donated over $100 million to his campaign. He has been appointed chair of the new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), where he will work alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Wall Street analysts view the incoming administration’s anticipated deregulation efforts as a significant advantage for Tesla, particularly for its Full Self-Driving initiatives, which have faced regulatory scrutiny.
