The World’s Richest Man Caught in Unlikely, Revealing Feud
Here are a few other ways to phrase it:
- Elon Musk, the World’s Richest Man, Embroiled in Surprising Feud.
- An Unlikely Feud Reveals a New Side of the World’s Richest Man.
- Billionaire Elon Musk Finds Himself in an Unexpected and Telling Dispute.
The Game That Exposed Elon Musk: Billionaire’s Gaming Credibility Crumbles Amid “Boosting” Scandal
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a prominent figure in global politics and tech, recently found himself at the center of an unlikely but revealing online feud: a controversy over his video game skills that culminated in accusations of “boosting.” This bizarre episode, which has captivated the gaming community, casts a new light on Musk’s highly curated public persona.1
For years, Musk has cultivated an image as an avid gamer, often streaming himself playing and boasting about elite rankings in titles like Quake and Diablo IV.2 He even appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, seemingly confirming claims of being among the world’s top players.3 His alleged feats in Diablo IV, a hack-and-slash game, were particularly impressive, given his demanding schedule of running multiple companies and engaging in political activities.4
The turning point came with his forays into “Path of Exile 2,” a far more complex and challenging action RPG. While Musk’s account showed impressive progression, his live streams revealed a stark contrast. Gamers, including popular streamer Quin69, noticed that Musk appeared unfamiliar with basic game mechanics, interface navigation, and even his own equipment.5 A viral video by Quin69, titled “Elon Musk is Lying About Being Good at Video Games,” accumulated over 1.2 million views, fueling widespread skepticism.6
The most damning evidence emerged when a video superimposed Musk’s Path of Exile 2 character’s activity with his physical presence at President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony – implying he was “in two places at the same time.”7 Adding to the controversy, Musk was also reportedly logged into the game while simultaneously speaking at a Spaces event on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Germany’s far-right AfD party.
The gaming community’s response was swift and merciless.8 Online platforms were flooded with videos and comments dissecting his amateurish gameplay.9 One Reddit user likened watching Musk play to a top racer struggling to open a car door.
Eventually, Elon Musk admitted to using “boosts” — a practice where players pay others to play on their account to achieve higher levels, acquire powerful gear, or complete difficult challenges.10 In a direct message conversation shared by gaming YouTuber NikoWrex, Musk reportedly stated he had used boosting, adding that “it’s impossible to beat the players in Asia if you don’t, as they do!”11
This scandal highlights Musk’s drive to assert dominance even in digital realms. While other public figures might boast athletic prowess, Musk, identifying as a “nerd,” seems to use gaming to enhance his credibility among his largely young, male, tech-oriented fanbase. However, this attempt to burnish his image backfired, leading to a significant loss of goodwill from the very gaming communities he sought to impress.
The Assassin’s Creed X account’s viral clapback—”Is that what the guy playing your Path of Exile 2 account told you?”—became a symbol of this shift. It was a rare instance of a major brand publicly “clowning” a powerful figure like Musk, and ironically, the bold move appeared to benefit the game, with its day-one sales reportedly becoming Ubisoft’s biggest ever on PlayStation’s digital store.
For many, the “boosting” scandal revealed a fundamental disconnect: the world’s richest man, accustomed to instant results in business, seemingly believed he could buy his way to gaming expertise, bypassing the “grind” that defines the experience for most players. As Musk continues to venture into diverse fields, insiders frequently express surprise at his apparent lack of foundational understanding or curiosity, a pattern the gaming community has now acutely observed.12
