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Supposed Musk post about CEOs after UnitedHealthcare shooting is fabricated | Fact check
The claim: Image shows Musk post saying world can’t function without CEOs
A Dec. 5 Threads post (direct link, archive link) shows what appears to be an X post from the platform's owner Elon Musk, saying, "America will be destitute" without CEOs.
The post criticizes people "cheering for the gunman" who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4 outside a New York City hotel.
“What these people fail to understand is that without CEOs, the world would not be able to function," the post states, "and as CEOs, we are responsible for the delicate balancing act of generating profits for shareholders while also ensuring that shareholders are able to maintain their own personal wealth even in spite of the typical corporate laziness and greed of middle-management and their staff. America will be destitute without us. #DOGE."
The image received more than 100 likes in four days. Users shared similar versions across Facebook, Instagram and X, where one post received more than 3,000 likes before it was deleted.
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There's no evidence of such a post on Musk’s account. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO hasn’t posted anything directly naming Thompson or UnitedHealthcare since the CEO’s death.
Image can't be traced to Musk's profile
The post doesn’t exist on Musk’s verified X account, and no credible media outlets have reported him making such a statement.
In fact, Musk hasn't made any posts mentioning Thompson, UnitedHealthcare or society being unable to function without CEOs.
Fact check: Elon Musk became a US citizen in 2002, contrary to viral post
The profile picture in the image also doesn't match Musk’s picture on X. Musk changed his profile image in early November to a photo of the SpaceX Starship rocket, according to archived posts.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. X did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
PolitiFact, Lead Stories and Reuters also fact-checked this claim.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Elon Musk didn't make this post defending CEOs | Fact check