As of November 2024, Elon Musk's net worth has skyrocketed to approximately $304 billion, making him the only individual to surpass the $300 billion mark. This remarkable increase follows a significant surge in Tesla shares, which rose by 8.19% to $321.22 per share after Donald Trump's recent election victory. Over just five days post-election, Musk's wealth increased by more than $54 billion, reflecting a broader trend where Tesla's stock value surged 30% within the week. [a31e6f55]
Musk's financial ascent places him ahead of Larry Ellison, who is the second-richest individual with a net worth of $230.7 billion, followed closely by Jeff Bezos at $224.5 billion. The correlation between Trump's re-election and Musk's fortune is notable, especially considering Musk's vocal support for Trump during the campaign. Following the election, Musk participated in a call with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, indicating his continued engagement in political matters. [a31e6f55]
In addition to his wealth, Musk's business interests are closely tied to federal contracts. Since 2002, SpaceX has received at least $21 billion in federal contracts, and with the Trump administration potentially favoring Musk's businesses, further funding could be on the horizon. Musk has been appointed to co-head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which may streamline federal contracts for his companies. [4674bf67]
SpaceX is also pursuing funding for its Mars mission, with the Starship lunar lander project costing approximately $4 billion. Furthermore, Musk's military contracts with SpaceX are valued at $70 million, while Tesla has received $2.8 million for electric vehicle charging stations. Musk's Neuralink has raised over $600 million, and there are expectations that AI regulations may be relaxed under the Trump administration, potentially benefiting Musk's ventures. [4674bf67]
The wealth landscape is evolving, with younger billionaires like Musk increasingly dominating the rankings. This shift is indicative of broader global trends where the ultra-wealthy redefine standards of wealth and influence. The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) has also seen a significant increase, growing from 157,000 in 2016 to 220,000 in 2023, reflecting a 28% rise. North America alone experienced a 7.3% increase in UHNWIs last year, attributed to economic resilience and government spending initiatives. [b2c68062]
In the context of the broader wealth distribution in America, the Forbes 400 List previously reported that the combined wealth of the top 400 richest individuals in the U.S. had reached $5.4 trillion, nearly $1 trillion more than in 2023. This growing concentration of wealth among the ultra-rich raises concerns about economic inequality, with the top 10% of Americans now holding 67% of total household wealth. [f11133f2]