On July 5, 2025, Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, made a startling announcement on his social media platform X, claiming that he was being monitored by unknown entities. The revelation, which came amid his high-profile political activities and public feud with President Donald Trump, sent shockwaves through his followers and the media. More alarmingly, Musk’s private security team, led by renowned security expert Gavin de Becker, later confirmed a far more disturbing reality: Musk has been the target of credible death threats and sophisticated stalking campaigns, raising serious concerns about his safety and the motives behind these actions. This article explores Musk’s claims, the findings of his security team, the broader context of his rising political influence, and the implications for his personal and professional life.
Musk’s Claim of Surveillance
Musk’s assertion that he is being monitored was first posted on X, where he stated, “I’m being watched. They’re tracking my every move, and I’m not talking about paparazzi.” The cryptic message, shared with his over 200 million followers, lacked specific details but fueled speculation about who might be behind the alleged surveillance. Some interpreted it as a reference to government agencies, given Musk’s recent involvement in U.S. politics through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his newly announced America Party. Others suggested it could be linked to foreign actors, citing Musk’s global business interests and his handling of sensitive U.S. government contracts through SpaceX.
The claim is not entirely new. In January 2025, the BBC reported that UK security officials were monitoring Musk’s social media posts due to his inflammatory comments about British politicians, including calling Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips a “rape genocide apologist.” The Home Office’s actions were part of a broader effort to track “non-state actors” posing security risks, though no direct evidence of physical surveillance was confirmed. Similarly, a June 2025 report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department, had monitored foreign nationals visiting Musk’s properties in 2022 and 2023, citing concerns about potential influence operations targeting the billionaire due to his access to sensitive national security contracts.
Musk’s history of claiming surveillance dates back further. In 2022, he alleged that a “crazy stalker” followed a car carrying his son in Los Angeles, an incident that led to the suspension of the @ElonJet account on Twitter (now X) for allegedly sharing his real-time location. However, police investigations later revealed discrepancies in Musk’s account, noting that the suspect was likely a member of his own security team and that Musk was not present during the confrontation. These incidents highlight Musk’s longstanding concerns about his personal security, amplified by his growing public profile and controversial actions.
Security Team’s Shocking Findings
Following Musk’s latest claim, his private security team, operated by Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA), conducted an internal investigation that uncovered a series of credible threats against his life. According to a New York Times report from September 2024, Musk’s security apparatus has grown significantly in response to escalating dangers, operating like a “mini-Secret Service” with a rotating cast of bodyguards, many with military backgrounds. The team’s findings, shared privately with Musk’s inner circle and partially leaked to media outlets, revealed the following:
Death Threats and Stalking Incidents: The most alarming discovery was a series of explicit death threats directed at Musk, some of which were linked to his political activities. A November 2024 incident near Tesla’s Austin factory, where a Florida man, Paul Overeem, was arrested for allegedly planning a “mass casualty event,” underscored the severity of the threats. Additionally, Musk’s team identified multiple stalking attempts, including a woman who left a voicemail at one of his companies claiming to have “spoken telepathically” with him and proposing marriage in outer space. While some incidents were dismissed as eccentric, others were deemed credible by GDBA.
Potential Foreign Involvement: The security team flagged several instances of foreign nationals attempting to access Musk’s properties, echoing concerns raised by U.S. government agencies in 2022 and 2023. These incidents raised fears of coordinated efforts to gather intelligence or exert influence over Musk, particularly given SpaceX’s contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. The team has not publicly confirmed specific countries involved, but speculation on X points to Eastern European and Asian actors, though these claims remain unverified.
Cyber Surveillance Concerns: Beyond physical threats, Musk’s team uncovered attempts to hack into his personal and corporate communication systems. This aligns with a February 2025 Reuters report that Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee called for an investigation into potential national security breaches by Musk’s DOGE team, citing unauthorized access to sensitive government systems. While no direct evidence links these breaches to surveillance of Musk himself, the findings suggest a broader pattern of targeting his digital footprint.
Musk’s security costs reflect the gravity of these threats. In 2023, Tesla disclosed paying $2.4 million for his protection, with monthly bills reaching six figures for international travel. Bodyguards have been known to handle everything from washing Musk’s car to paying hotel bills to minimize his public exposure, indicating the extent to which his safety is a constant concern.
Context: Musk’s Political and Business Influence
The timing of Musk’s surveillance claims coincides with his deepening involvement in U.S. politics and his public fallout with President Trump. On July 5, 2025, Musk announced the formation of the America Party, a new political entity aimed at challenging the Republican-Democrat “uniparty” system, just days after Congress passed Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” on spending and tax cuts. Musk’s vocal opposition to the bill, which he called a “disgusting abomination” for adding $3 trillion to the federal deficit, led to a public feud with Trump, who threatened to cut government contracts with Tesla and SpaceX. This rift, combined with Musk’s leadership of DOGE, has placed him at the center of political scrutiny.
Musk’s role in DOGE, which seeks to slash federal spending and streamline government operations, has also drawn criticism. Reports from ABC News and WIRED indicate that Musk’s team accessed sensitive government systems, including those of the Treasury Department, the Department of Commerce, and the General Services Administration, raising concerns about data privacy and national security. These actions may have made Musk a target for both domestic and foreign adversaries, as his access to classified information and influence over federal policy grows.
Moreover, Musk’s global business interests make him a high-profile target. SpaceX’s contracts with the Pentagon and NASA, coupled with Tesla’s international operations, expose him to risks from state and non-state actors. A December 2024 New York Times report noted that Musk and SpaceX faced federal reviews for failing to comply with security clearance protocols, including not reporting meetings with foreign leaders or drug use, which could compromise his access to sensitive information. These lapses may have heightened scrutiny from government agencies, potentially contributing to Musk’s perception of being monitored.
Public and Political Reactions
Musk’s claims have sparked varied responses. On X, supporters rallied behind him, with some speculating that the surveillance is a “deep state” plot to silence his efforts to reform government. One post from February 2025, in which Musk wrote, “And they want to kill me for doing so. That’s how you know it’s a big deal,” received millions of views and amplified fears among his base. Critics, however, argue that Musk’s claims lack evidence and may be a tactic to deflect attention from controversies surrounding DOGE and his America Party.
Democratic lawmakers, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, have expressed alarm over Musk’s access to sensitive data, calling his actions a “HUGE scandal” and accusing DOGE of undermining public trust. Meanwhile, Trump has downplayed Musk’s surveillance claims, stating in a February 2025 press conference that “we don’t have very good security in our country” but offering no specific response to Musk’s allegations.
Implications for Musk’s Future
The revelations from Musk’s security team underscore the precarious position he occupies as a billionaire with unprecedented political influence. The credible threats against his life highlight the personal risks of his high-profile role, while the potential surveillance—whether by government agencies, foreign actors, or private entities—raises questions about privacy and security in the digital age. For Musk, these developments may necessitate even tighter security measures, further isolating him from public life.
Politically, the surveillance claims could bolster the America Party’s narrative of fighting a corrupt establishment, resonating with voters disillusioned with traditional politics. However, they also risk alienating allies and escalating tensions with Trump, whose administration remains a key partner for Musk’s businesses. Legally, Musk’s failure to comply with security clearance protocols could jeopardize SpaceX’s government contracts, as noted in a Fox Business report.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s claim of being monitored, coupled with his security team’s discovery of death threats and stalking attempts, paints a troubling picture of the risks he faces as a global figure. While the exact nature of the surveillance remains unclear, the combination of his political activism, business interests, and controversial public statements has made him a lightning rod for threats and scrutiny. As Musk moves forward with the America Party and his cost-cutting initiatives, his ability to navigate these dangers will be critical to his personal safety and political ambitions. The coming months will likely reveal whether these threats escalate or if Musk can leverage them to further galvanize his supporters in a polarized political landscape.
