Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk
Podcast. This is a show where we discuss
the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The
Boring Company, and Neurolink. I'm your host, Will Walden.
In the wake of the shocking assassination of United
Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, an apparent threat has now been
made against Elon Musk. Now, the threat emerged over the
weekend on Blue Sky, a social media platform billed as an
alternative to Musk's own X platform.
A user with the handle smiling, nodding dot Blue Sky dot Social
posted an image that appeared to depict Musk standing on a
sidewalk while an unseen assailant aims at Gunahim.
The post was accompanied by the caption #manifesting now.
Musk, who serves as the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX in
addition to owning X, has faced heightened security concerns in
recent years as his prominence has grown.
According to a New York Times report from September, Musk
travels with a security detail of up to 20 professionals, some
of whom are armed and dangerous and accompanied by medical
personnel. At the same time, however, the
latest threat shows that the increased vulnerability of top
corporate executives exists, even those with substantial
security resources at their disposal.
The killing of Thompson, who was shot dead on December 4th as he
arrived at a company event in New York City, has prompted a
broader reexamination of executive protection measures
across multiple industries, Charlie Carroll, who's the CEO
of ASET Aset Corporation, said. As you can imagine, people are
scrambling, Companies are scrambling, which ASET provides
security services for individuals, corporations, and
also for government agencies. Now Glenn Kusira, who's the
president of Allies Universal Enhanced Protection Services,
reported that his firm has been inundated with calls from
executives in the 24 hours after Thompson's shooting.
Now allies Universal provide security to about 80% of all
Fortune 500 companies. The apparent threat against Musk
adds a troubling new dimension to the evolving security
landscape for high profile business leaders.
Musk's rise to global prominence, coupled with his
house spoken political views and high profile feuds have made him
an increasingly visible target. And Musk's role in the upcoming
Trump administration has further heightened his profile.
The world's richest man has been tapped, along with entrepreneur
Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead president-elect Donald Trump's
Department of Government Efficiency and Non Governmental
Task Force assigned to find ways to fire federal workers, cut
programs and slash federal regulations.
Now, disappointment, combined with Musk's well documented
clashes with government regulators and critics has
thrust him into the political spotlight in a way that could
make him a more attractive target for those harboring
grievances. Now the Blue Sky post
encouraging an attack on Musk was apparently removed by the
platform's moderators, though the user behind the account
claimed the post was taken down because a bunch of cry babies
complained. Now neither Musk nor the user
has responded for our request of comment.
Elon Musk and other billionaire CE OS have full time security
details, but the top executives and many smaller companies
don't. That can leave them vulnerable.
And the shooting of Thompson, who was just walking alone on a
New York City sidewalk when a masked gunman ambushed and
killed him, has sent shock waves through the business world.
Surveillance footage show the assailant approaching Thompson
from behind and firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene.
They caught the guy. But back on Monday, the killer
was at large, and police hadn't determined the motive for the
shooter's identity. He was out there.
The brazen nature of the attack, carried out in broad daylight in
a crowded urban setting, highlights the concerns about
the safety of corporate leaders. Right now, people are really
worried about this. They're worried that it could
happen to them, but looking at their security plans and trying
to figure out what more they can do to protect themselves and
their employees. Now For Elon Musk, the latest
threat is just the latest in a string of security challenges he
has faced as his influence in public profile have grown.
The New York Times report noted that Musk's security apparatus
has expanded significantly in recent years, with a billionaire
often traveling with armed guards, numerous armed guards,
medical personnel, personal assistants and family at times.
Now this level of protection and no more autonomy for Elon shows
there's unique risks faced by such a high profile person.
He's outspoken. His persona is controversial.
His business decisions are also controversial, Has made him a
target for criticism, harassment and even violence.
From his battles with government regulators to his high profile
feuds with other tech leaders, Musk has cultivated a combative
public image that has drawn the ire of both supporters and
detractors. I want to take a step back for a
second and let you all remember. Remember when Elon was just this
tech guy with these broad ambitions to send people to Mars
to make electric cars, to do all the fun things.
And now he's a competitive public figure that's working
with the government to shut down a lot of people's businesses and
a lot of people's jobs. So of course people are going to
be upset. And you know, this public
outrage against Elon has been culminating for years.
And the apparent threat against Musk on Blue Sky is just the
latest in a series of incidents that shows that he needs
heightened security measures right now.
All corporate executives are looking into this.
So back in 2022, Musk was the target of a foiled kidnapping
plot which a group of individuals was arrested for
allegedly planning to abduct him.
Such incidents have prompted Musk and other high profile
business leaders to invest heavily in their own personal
security, with many relying on teams of trained pros to protect
them both at work and at home and their personal lives.
When they go out shopping or whatever, they have armed guards
with them. However, the killing of Thompson
has highlighted the vulnerabilities that even the
most well protected executives may face.
Now, it remains to be seen whether SpaceX or any other
commercial launch companies are ready for such a major
commitment for this. Can they sustain the security
detail of Elon Musk over at X Is?
Are they going to be around all the time?
Can he walk in public anymore? We're not 100% sure.
And as this investigation of Thompson's killing continues and
the threat against Musk remains under scrutiny, and it's a real
thing, the business community is grappling with the unsettling
reality that even the most powerful and well connected
executives are not immune to the risks of violence.
Now. The implications of this new
security landscape extend far beyond the personal safety of
individual leaders, though, raising broader questions about
the stability and resilience of the corporate world when they
face such drastic and incredibly increasing threats.
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