Elon Musk: Trillionaire Pursuit Amid Growing Tensions with France
PARIS, 17 February 2026 – Business magnate Elon Musk is approaching an unprecedented financial milestone as his net worth climbs toward $850 billion (€788 billion). However, the entrepreneur’s expansionist vision for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI is meeting significant resistance in Europe, particularly in France, where President Emmanuel Macron has publicly challenged the “myth” of Musk’s self-made success.
The ‘Subsidised’ Dispute: Macron vs Musk
In a series of recent exchanges, French President Emmanuel Macron has sharpened his rhetoric against the Tesla CEO. During a meeting with industrial leaders, Macron described Musk as “over-subsidised” by American public funds, suggesting that much of the billionaire’s wealth stems from state-backed contracts and incentives rather than pure market innovation. This critique comes as France seeks to bolster its own technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on American platforms.
The friction is reflected in the French market data for 2025, which shows a 21% decline in the usage of X (formerly Twitter) across the country. Analysts attribute this “disenchantment” to Musk’s increasingly polarising political stances and several high-profile disputes with European regulators regarding content moderation and data privacy.
Technological Frontiers: xAI and Autonomous Fleets
Despite the geopolitical headwinds, Musk’s ventures continue to push technical boundaries. At his artificial intelligence startup, xAI, Musk recently unveiled plans for a revolutionary facility featuring a “giant catapult” designed to launch satellites into orbit, potentially reducing SpaceX’s reliance on traditional rocket fuel for smaller payloads. Furthermore, Musk confirmed that Tesla is on track to operate the world’s largest fleet of autonomous vehicles, dismissing recent stock fluctuations as temporary hurdles.
In a move to diversify his financial ecosystem, Musk also announced the imminent launch of “X Money,” an integrated payment system intended to transform X into an “everything app.” This follows his recent confirmation of a “game-changer” integration for Bitcoin and Dogecoin within his platforms.
Key Figures and Ventures (February 2026)
| Entity / Metric | Current Status / Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $850 Billion (€788 Billion) |
| Tesla (TSLA) Focus | Cybercab, Optimus, and Autonomous Fleets |
| xAI Development | Voice-based Command (Pentagon Challenge) |
| X (France) Performance | 21% decrease in user engagement (2025) |
| SpaceX Objective | Autonomous city on the Moon |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire?
Not yet. As of 17 February 2026, his net worth is estimated at approximately $850 billion. While he is the wealthiest individual in history, he remains roughly $150 billion short of the trillion-dollar mark.
Why is there a dispute between Musk and the French government?
The tension stems from a combination of factors: President Macron’s criticism of the high level of US government subsidies Musk receives, concerns over X’s compliance with European digital safety laws, and a broader “tech-clash” regarding American influence over European digital infrastructure.
What is the ‘Memory Chip Crisis’ Musk mentioned?
Elon Musk, alongside Apple’s Tim Cook, has warned of a global shortage of high-end memory chips. This crisis is driven by the exponential demand for hardware required to run advanced Artificial Intelligence models, which currently outstrips global manufacturing capacity.
What is X Money?
X Money is a proposed financial services branch of the X platform. It aims to provide peer-to-peer payments, high-yield accounts, and cryptocurrency integration, moving the platform closer to Musk’s vision of a Western “super-app” similar to WeChat.