It appears that tech billionaire Elon Musk, current owner of the X platform and one of its most active and prolific posters, has decided to take a new path to expand his reach and influence on social media. Recent movements indicate a shift toward fiercely competitive platforms like TikTok and Instagram—a strategic and surprising step that arrives at a delicate time coinciding notably with his space company SpaceX’s pursuit of an initial public offering in the financial markets.
Surprising appearance on TikTok
Last Wednesday, the internet community was surprised by the appearance of a blue-check verified account on the short-form video platform TikTok bearing the username (@elonmusk). According to The New York Times, this account posted its first video on the platform, sparking widespread engagement. The footage showed Elon Musk speaking passionately about the future, accompanied by a montage of promotional clips showcasing the achievements of his various companies, including space firm SpaceX, electric vehicle maker Tesla, neurotechnology company Neuralink, and tunneling venture The Boring Company.
This promotional clip carried a short and eloquent Latin caption: “Ad Astra,” which translates to “To the stars.” It did not take long for the video to go viral, amassing over 2.1 million views in record time, reflecting the substantial public appeal Elon Musk continues to enjoy even outside the walls of his own platform.
Mysterious presence on Instagram
Alongside his move on TikTok, another verified account bearing Elon Musk’s name also surfaced on the popular photo-sharing platform Instagram. However, this account maintains a more mysterious character, remaining set to private, containing no actual posts yet, and lacking a profile picture. Despite this, the account managed to attract nearly 18,000 followers eager to anticipate any future activity. Notably, Elon Musk did not share the aforementioned TikTok video or promote his new accounts via his official account on X, where he commands a massive audience of nearly 238 million followers.
To date, all parties involved have remained silent; neither Elon Musk, TikTok management, nor Meta—owner of Instagram—has responded to requests for comment on this development. The New York Times reported that it was unable to independently and definitively verify whether Elon Musk is the actual person managing these accounts or if a marketing team is running them on his behalf.
The crucial financial timing: SpaceX’s public offering
It is very difficult to ignore the timing of these accounts’ appearance. According to circulating reports, SpaceX—which currently holds ownership of X—is undergoing a critical phase in preparation for taking its shares public. This major financial step represents a radical shift that will likely necessitate generating widespread public interest to attract billions of dollars from potential investors. Bloomberg News reported that the company has already confidentially filed its financial documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, with an ambitious target of listing its shares on the markets by next summer. If this IPO achieves its desired success, it could propel Elon Musk, already the world’s wealthiest person, to become the first trillionaire in human history.
Pragmatic concession or marketing strategy?
Historically, Elon Musk has shown clear disdain for competing digital platforms. In 2022, he made the controversial decision to briefly ban Twitter users from promoting their personal accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and other competing services. In this context, tech journalist Ryan Mac noted in an X post that Musk had previously “launched a scathing attack against both TikTok and Instagram, calling them addictive,” and went so far as to delete his personal Instagram account in 2018.
While blue verification badges typically indicate authenticity and reliability, they are also known to be obtainable through platform administrative processes, leaving a small margin of doubt regarding direct personal management. However, if Elon Musk is indeed behind these new accounts, the move will undoubtedly represent a clever pragmatic concession that places economic interests above personal stances. Even the zealous owner of X now recognizes the tremendous value of reaching diverse audiences on the platforms where they already exist, especially when a potential trillion-dollar valuation directly depends on such visibility and effective digital marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Elon Musk officially join TikTok?
Yes, a verified account bearing Elon Musk’s name appeared and posted its first video showcasing his various companies’ achievements, garnering millions of views in a short time.
What was the content of the first video posted by the account attributed to Elon Musk on TikTok?
The video featured promotional montage footage of his companies, such as SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink, accompanied by a Latin caption meaning “To the stars.”
Why is the timing of these accounts’ appearance important?
This emergence coincides with reports that space company SpaceX is preparing for an initial public offering in the stock market, which requires widespread marketing to attract investors.
Does Elon Musk have an Instagram account now?
A verified account bearing his name appeared on Instagram, but it is a private account containing no posts or profile picture, though it is followed by thousands.
What was Elon Musk’s past stance on these platforms?
In the past, Elon Musk directed harsh criticisms at TikTok and Instagram, calling them addictive, deleted his Instagram account in 2018, and blocked the promotion of competing platforms on X in 2022.
