When you think of Elon Musk — the world’s wealthiest man — images of private jets, billion-dollar tech empires, and moonshot ambitions instantly come to mind. But behind the headlines and high-profile ventures lies a curious contradiction: a man who haggles over a few thousand dollars, refuses discounts even for his own mother, yet openly celebrates the woman who raised him with heartfelt admiration.
Haggling Over Pennies — Even as a Billionaire
In 2022, the internet lit up when 19-year-old Jack Sweeney created a Twitter bot, @ElonJet, that tracked Musk’s private jet flights in real time. Musk, citing security concerns, reached out to the teen with an offer: $5,000 to shut the bot down. Sweeney countered with $50,000 — still chump change for someone worth hundreds of billions. But Musk declined.
This moment exposed a lesser-known side of the tech mogul: one who treats every dollar with weight, regardless of the zeros in his bank account. It’s a quality that seems both comical and deeply strategic, especially coming from a man who once topped the global rich list with a net worth surpassing $300 billion.
No Discounts — Not Even for Family
Musk’s frugality doesn’t stop at social media showdowns. When it comes to Tesla, there are no friends and family deals — not even for his own mother, Maye Musk. The former model and author, who raised Elon and his siblings as a single mom in South Africa, confirmed in an interview with The New York Times that her son never offered her a Tesla discount.
“He doesn’t give anyone a discount,” Musk’s cousin once confirmed, echoing the same sentiment. Even music legend Snoop Dogg was denied a free car, reinforcing Musk’s rigid “no-favorites” rule. His reasoning? A fair price for everyone. Business, after all, is business.
A Heartfelt Bond with His Mother
But for all the strict policies and business acumen, Elon Musk is also — quite unmistakably — a mama’s boy. Though Maye Musk doesn’t receive financial perks, she receives something arguably more valuable: deep and public admiration from her world-famous son.
On International Women’s Day, Musk tweeted: “Being a mom is a real job that deserves major respect.” And on Mother’s Day 2024, while in Shanghai on business, he had an extravagant bouquet of flowers and a handwritten note delivered to his mother — a gesture Maye proudly shared with fans.
“Happy Mother’s Day. I am the luckiest mom in the world. Also, the luckiest grandmom,” she wrote, posting family photos alongside her message. Musk has never been shy about crediting his mother for his success. “She’s been my biggest supporter from day one, no matter how crazy my ideas sounded,” he once said.
The Paradox of Elon Musk
Elon Musk remains one of the most fascinating figures of our time — a man who builds rockets, redefines transportation, and dreams of Mars colonization, but still watches every dollar and honors his mother with genuine affection. His life is a paradox: driven by logic, guided by ambition, yet deeply tied to his roots.
In a world where billionaires often appear out of touch, Musk reminds us that brilliance can be quirky, controversial, and even sentimental. He may not hand out Tesla discounts, but he offers loyalty, respect, and — perhaps most importantly — a very human side to his larger-than-life persona.
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