Elon Musk is no stranger to public scrutiny. From his groundbreaking innovations to his polarizing opinions, the billionaire frequently finds himself at the center of attention. Recently, however, the focus shifted to something much more personal—his body. A manipulated photo of Musk with an exaggeratedly enlarged stomach and chest went viral, sparking a flurry of online speculation and rumors about his health.

The Viral Photo and Its Origin

On November 10, 2024, an image of Musk sporting what appeared to be a pronounced “barrel chest” began circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The image, accompanied by the caption, “He always posts AI pictures of himself because he actually looks like this,” quickly gained traction. Shared by the now-archived account “evan loves morf,” the post garnered over 17 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes.

However, the viral sensation was short-lived. Fact-checkers, including Snopes, confirmed the image was a manipulated version of a still from a SpaceX video posted in June 2024. In the original footage, Musk appeared entirely normal. The doctored photo exaggerated his chest and stomach, creating a misleading narrative that fueled rampant speculation about his health.

Speculation About “Barrel Chest”

As the photo spread, many began speculating that Musk might have a condition known as “barrel chest.” Typically associated with chronic lung issues, barrel chest causes the chest to appear rounded or puffed out due to overinflated lungs. While not a disease itself, it is often linked to respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Despite the discussions, there was no evidence to suggest Musk had such a condition. The image was fabricated, and any claims about his health based on the altered photo were unfounded.

A History of Musk and Body Criticism

This isn’t the first time Musk’s body has been a topic of public discussion. In 2022, shirtless photos of him aboard a luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea went viral. The images led to widespread body-shaming online.

Musk, however, handled the trolling with humor, tweeting, “Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often … free the nip!!” His lighthearted response endeared him to some fans, showing his ability to take criticism in stride.

Musk’s Weight Loss Journey

In recent years, Musk has been candid about his health and fitness. At 53, he revealed he lost over 20 pounds from what he described as an “unhealthy peak weight.” He credited his progress to intermittent fasting and the use of Wegovy, an FDA-approved drug for chronic weight management.

Despite his efforts, Musk has confessed to indulging in less-than-ideal eating habits, including a fondness for donuts, steak, sushi, and Diet Coke. In response to criticism of his diet, he once tweeted, “I eat a donut every morning. Still alive.”

Why the Speculation Persisted

While the fake image sparked unnecessary rumors, it also highlighted the public’s fascination with Musk. As a figure of immense influence, everything from his business ventures to his eating habits seems to draw attention.

Musk’s response to these situations reflects his personality: he remains unapologetic and often uses humor to deflect negativity. Whether addressing body-shaming or viral misinformation, Musk appears unbothered by the scrutiny, focusing instead on his goals and projects.