Elon Musk rarely escapes the spotlight—and this time, it wasn’t for launching rockets or shaking up AI. Instead, all eyes were on… his chest.
A Viral Image Ignites Online Frenzy
On November 10, social media exploded when a heavily edited photo of Musk with an exaggeratedly bloated chest and stomach started circulating on X (formerly Twitter). The bizarre image quickly went viral, racking up more than 17 million views and 423,000 likes. Some even speculated Musk was hiding a condition known as “barrel chest”—a physical trait often linked to lung disease.
The Truth: It Was a Fake
Despite the viral traction and medical rumors, the image was completely fake. Fact-checkers and media outlets confirmed it was digitally altered. It originated from a now-archived X account, “evan loves morf,” which claimed Musk uses AI-enhanced images to mask his true appearance.
What Is ‘Barrel Chest,’ Anyway?
For the curious, barrel chest isn’t a disease in itself. It’s typically a sign of chronic lung conditions, where over-inflated lungs push the chest outward, giving it a rounded look. The edited photo played on this very fear—fueling a flood of misinformation and online jokes.
The Real Source of the Image
Digging deeper, the doctored photo was traced back to a June 2024 YouTube video titled First Look Inside SpaceX’s Starfactory. Around the 2-minute mark, Musk appears briefly—shirted, unedited, and normal. Someone grabbed a frame from that moment and digitally manipulated it to create the viral version.
Musk Stays Quiet—As Usual
While the internet speculated, Musk stayed silent. But this isn’t the first time his physique has sparked public discussion.
Remember the Yacht Photo?
In 2022, shirtless photos of Musk relaxing on a yacht in the Aegean Sea went viral, too—prompting waves of body-shaming. Musk, unfazed, fired back on Twitter:
“Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often … free the nip!!”
Weight Loss and “Still Alive” Donuts
Now 53, Musk has been open about his health journey. He claims to have dropped over 20 pounds thanks to intermittent fasting and Wegovy, a popular FDA-approved weight loss drug.
Yet he still clings to his signature quirks—tweeting:
“I eat a donut every morning. Still alive.”
His diet? Steak, sushi, chocolate, and caffeine-free Diet Coke—with vegetables nowhere in sight.
Always in the Spotlight
From tech empires to Twitter trolls, Elon Musk is constantly under the public microscope. The viral fake photo may have sparked gossip, but Musk didn’t flinch. He seems content to keep moving—spaceships, sugar, sarcasm, and all.
