Elon Musk Sparks Controversy Over Conspiracy Theory Regarding Fort Knox Gold

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his trailblazing ventures in electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence, has recently rekindled an old conspiracy theory that has been circulating for decades—the alleged disappearance of gold from the Fort Knox vaults. For years, Fort Knox, the U.S.

Army base that houses much of the U.S. government’s gold reserves, has been the subject of speculation and intrigue, with rumors and theories suggesting that the gold stored there may have been stolen or mysteriously vanished. While the theory has been long dismissed as unfounded, Musk’s repeated mentions of it have brought the question back into the public eye, stirring up fresh debate and curiosity.

Since mid-February, Musk has referenced the conspiracy theory about the missing gold from Fort Knox at least a dozen times on social media and in public comments. Despite the absence of any credible evidence to support the claim that gold has been removed from Fort Knox, Musk’s remarks have fueled new waves of speculation.

His cryptic comments and calls for an audit of the nation’s gold reserve have caused a stir, with the question “Is the gold still in Fort Knox?” once again becoming a topic of intense discussion on social media and in the American media. The conspiracy theory about the missing gold in Fort Knox is not new. It dates back to the 1970s when Peter Beter, a lawyer and financial consultant, claimed that a "powerful group of forces" had secretly removed all the gold from the vault.

According to Beter, these secretive figures orchestrated a scheme to take the gold out of the vault without public knowledge, an assertion that led to widespread speculation and intrigue at the time. In 1974, in an attempt to quell public concern, the U.S. Treasury invited journalists and members of Congress to visit Fort Knox. This visit, the only one of its kind in modern history, resulted in reports that stated the gold was indeed still present, with newspapers widely reporting: “The gold is still there.”

Despite the visit and the subsequent reassurances from the Treasury Department, the conspiracy theory about Fort Knox continued to bubble under the surface, occasionally resurfacing when individuals or events reignited public interest. For years, the theory remained a fringe topic, frequently discussed in certain circles but rarely gaining mainstream traction.

However, in February 2025, the theory was suddenly thrust back into the spotlight when a post from the far-right financial blog Zero Hedge mentioned Elon Musk in connection with the missing gold.The blog’s post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) suggested that it would be “great” if Musk could visit Fort Knox to verify whether the 4,580 tons of gold were still there.

The post further claimed that the last time anyone had inspected the vault was in 1974, an inaccurate assertion since the gold at Fort Knox is subject to regular audits. Regardless of the inaccuracies in the post, it quickly gained attention, amassing over 3.3 million views and sparking new conversations about the conspiracy theory. Musk, ever the provocateur, responded to the post, which led to widespread media coverage and a renewed interest in the decades-old rumor.

Musk’s engagement with this long-standing conspiracy theory has sparked mixed reactions. His involvement in the Fort Knox gold debate has raised eyebrows among some of his followers, while others have found amusement in the billionaire’s willingness to entertain such an outlandish theory.

Musk, known for his active and often controversial presence on social media, has faced criticism in the past for his comments on various conspiracy theories, but his repeated references to the Fort Knox gold conspiracy have been particularly polarizing. On one hand, some of Musk’s supporters see his engagement with the theory as a natural extension of his persona as a disruptor and visionary.

Musk has built his career on challenging the status quo and questioning traditional norms, whether it be in the automotive industry with Tesla or in the space sector with SpaceX. For many, his involvement in the Fort Knox debate fits with his broader narrative of challenging established systems and advocating for transparency in institutions, no matter how unlikely the cause may seem.

On the other hand, critics argue that Musk’s continued references to the conspiracy theory are damaging to his credibility. Some see it as a distraction from the more pressing issues facing his companies, such as Tesla’s recent financial struggles and SpaceX’s ambitious plans for Mars exploration.

By engaging with a topic as trivial and unsubstantiated as the missing gold in Fort Knox, Musk risks alienating potential investors, customers, and supporters who expect more from a leader in the tech and space industries. His ability to influence people through his public statements is undeniable, but critics contend that his credibility may suffer if he continues to entertain such conspiratorial ideas.

The timing of Musk’s comments also raises questions about his motivations. As Tesla faces increased competition in the electric vehicle market and SpaceX pushes for greater achievements in space exploration, Musk’s focus on long-standing conspiracy theories may distract from the more significant challenges his companies face.

Musk has always been known for his unconventional approach to business, but this engagement with conspiracy theories could signal a shift in his priorities, moving from technological innovation to more provocative and controversial statements aimed at maintaining his public profile. The media frenzy surrounding Musk’s comments on the Fort Knox gold theory highlights the growing intersection between social media, public figures, and conspiracy theories.

Musk, who has a massive following on platforms like X, has the power to amplify even the most unlikely claims, drawing attention to fringe ideas that may otherwise remain obscure. His ability to influence the public discourse is not only limited to his work in technology and space; it extends to his statements on political matters, environmental issues, and even long-debunked conspiracy theories. Whether this is a deliberate strategy to maintain his relevance in the public eye or merely a case of Musk indulging in a bit of online fun, the consequences for his personal brand and the perception of his companies remain to be seen.

As the conversation about the missing gold in Fort Knox continues to circulate, it is clear that Musk’s comments have reignited a debate that many thought had long been settled. For some, the notion that the U.S. government may be hiding something as significant as the nation’s gold reserves is too intriguing to dismiss.

For others, Musk’s engagement with the theory is nothing more than a distraction from more important issues facing society and the economy. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, Musk’s involvement in this conspiracy theory is yet another chapter in his ever-evolving public persona, one that continues to challenge expectations, entertain, and, at times, confuse.

In conclusion, Elon Musk’s recent references to the conspiracy theory about the missing gold in Fort Knox have sparked renewed interest in a decades-old topic. While some view Musk’s engagement with the theory as part of his role as a disruptive figure, others see it as a dangerous distraction that undermines his credibility.

As Musk continues to lead Tesla, SpaceX, and his other ventures, his ability to balance his unconventional public persona with the serious responsibilities of running multi-billion-dollar companies will be tested. The ongoing debate over the Fort Knox conspiracy serves as a reminder of the power that public figures like Musk wield in shaping global conversations and the potential consequences of their words.