Tesla boss Elon Musk revealed in a recent podcast appearance that he has been more cautious about stepping out in public since Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing political activist, was shot to death during an event. Musk said that Kirk’s death directly affected him and made him more reclusive.
Elon Musk talks about security issues
Elon Musk, one of the richest men of all time, revealed during an appearance on The Katie Miller Podcast that Charlie Kirk’s death raised the stakes of life and death for him. He said that he has become more cautious and makes fewer public appearances.
“These days, particularly in light of Charlie Kirk’s murder, there are serious security issues,” Musk said during his podcast appearance. “There are serious security issues,” he explained. “Life is on ‘hardcore mode.’ Make one mistake, and you’re dead,” he added, referring to his fear of something similar happening to him.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” he further explained about making public appearances. “I simply can’t.”
Others, like Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, have revealed that they changed their approach to security after Kirk’s assassination.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while attending a TPUSA debate event at Utah Valley University. His assassination drew international attention. Many condemned political violence in the wake of the shooting, and it was widely debated across social media platforms.
Kirk was an outspoken right-wing advocate noted for his vocal opposition to issues such as abortion, gun control, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and LGBTQ rights. He also advocated for Christian nationalism. He promoted COVID-19 misinformation, false allegations of electoral fraud in 2020, and the white genocide conspiracy theory.
Police arrested Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old American man, for Kirk’s shooting. His trial will begin in January 2026.
Charlie Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
