Elon Musk’s recent viral photo sparked widespread speculation after an image showing him with an enlarged stomach and chest circulated online. The post, from the now-archived account “evan loves morf,” paired the altered photo with an AI-generated image of Musk, claiming, *“He always posts AI pictures of himself because he actually looks like this.”* Despite fact-checkers confirming the photo was fake, it amassed over 17 million views and 423,000 likes, fueling unfounded rumors about Musk’s health.
Some speculated Musk had “barrel chest,” a condition where the chest appears puffed up, often linked to lung issues. However, the claims lacked basis, as the photo was deliberately manipulated to exaggerate his physique.
The altered image originated from a 2024 YouTube video featuring Musk at SpaceX’s Starfactory. An unknown user edited the original photo to enlarge his chest and stomach, creating a misleading narrative. Musk has not commented publicly on the incident.
This isn’t Musk’s first experience with body-related scrutiny. In 2022, shirtless photos of him on a yacht sparked online trolling. Musk humorously responded, *“Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often … free the nip!!”*
Musk has also discussed his weight loss, shedding over 20 pounds through intermittent fasting and using Wegovy, an FDA-approved weight-management drug. Unfazed by public chatter, Musk reminds everyone he’s human too—donuts and all.