Musk Tells Investors Money Won't Matter in 2036; $700B Net Worth Disagrees 🚀

Elon Musk said "money won't matter in 2036," a remark that came as his paper fortune declined by nearly $700 billion over the past five weeks amid drops in Tesla and SpaceX stock prices. The comments were made in an interview with The Economist, published as his companies experienced a sustained slide in market value.

When pressed on how shareholders in his companies might react to the statement, Musk responded that people only need money to buy goods and services. "What do you need money for in that case?" he asked, arguing that if AI and robots produce more than humans can consume, currency would lose its central role. Musk framed deflation, rather than inflation, as the likely economic problem going forward, pointing to faster growth in the supply of goods and services than in the supply of money.

The interview touched on broader questions about how AI could reshape economic systems. Musk said AI may fundamentally alter how economies function, though he acknowledged there are still many questions to address about the technology. He did not specify policy proposals or timelines beyond his 2036 reference.

The paper wealth figure cited reflects the change in Musk's net worth tied to Tesla and SpaceX valuations during the five-week period and is not a realized loss. Musk's comments drew attention given the simultaneous decline across his listed holdings, with Tesla and SpaceX shares both falling over the stretch measured.

The remarks add to a series of public statements Musk has made about AI's economic implications, including earlier warnings about automation displacing human labor. In the Economist interview, Musk reiterated that scenario, suggesting that an abundance of AI-generated output could reduce the relevance of traditional monetary exchange.