Doubt that Elon Musk earned his trillion? Rightwing media says you’re in an impotent envy cult

The support from Musk’s conservative fans ignores the unfair ways he got his huge wealth

Published 30 June 2026 157 words
TECHNOLOGY A2
Doubt that Elon Musk earned his trillion? Rightwing media says you’re in an impotent envy cult

Elon Musk recently became a trillionaire. This means he had a lot of money, more than anyone in history. But he lost this status quickly when the prices of his company shares went down.

Some people, especially in conservative news, say that Musk earned all his money. They believe he is a great man and his wealth shows innovation. They think people who question his money are just jealous.

However, the article asks if Musk really earned his money. It talks about how he was born rich in South Africa and how his companies might have used unfair or illegal methods. It also mentions how government contracts and tax cuts may have helped him.

The article suggests that Musk's huge success might not be fair for everyone. It questions if his wealth is good for society and raises concerns about a few rich people having too much power.

Vocabulary

trillionaire — Someone who has more than a trillion dollars.
conservative — Believing in traditional ideas and values.
innovation — A new idea, method, or product.
status — A person's position or rank in relation to others.
wealth — A very large amount of money or property.
unfair — Not treating people in an equal or just way.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do some conservative news outlets think people who question Elon Musk's wealth are in an 'envy cult'?
  2. What are some of the ways the article suggests Elon Musk might have unfairly gained his wealth?
  3. What is the main concern the article expresses about Musk's trillionaire status?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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