\nElon Musk \u2013 love him or loathe him \u2014 is never far from the public eye.\n
Recently, however, the billionaire\u2019s body became the focus of online chatter after a photo surfaced showing him with an enlarged stomach and chest.\n
The viral image set off a flurry of speculations, with many wondering if Musk had developed barrel chest, a condition where the chest appears unusually puffed out.\n
The speculation was rampant \u2014 did Musk have an underlying health issue? Was this a sign of something more serious?\n
Truth behind the viral photo\n
Elon Musk is a name that often sparks strong opinions and discussions \u2013 and recently, it\u2019s not just been about his political views or billions in the bank. No, the latest hot topic has revolved around something much more personal: his body.\n
The speculation exploded on November 10, when a photo of Musk with an unusually enlarged stomach and chest went viral on X (formerly Twitter).\n
The image quickly spread and sparked strong reactions, but there was one problem \u2013 it wasn\u2019t real.\n
Despite multiple media outlets and fact-checkers confirming that the image was manipulated, it didn\u2019t seem to matter much to many. The tweet, posted by the now-archived account \u201devan loves morf,\u201d racked up millions of views and was shared across the platform.\n
The tweet read, \u201dHe always posts AI pictures of himself because he actually looks like this.\u201d Alongside the image in question, the post also featured an artificial intelligence-generated photo of Musk. The tweet quickly gained traction, racking up more than 17.4 million views and 423,000 likes.\n
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Elon Musk barrel chest?\n
Hours later, the image was picked up by other accounts on X, sparking discussions about what had happened to Elon Musk\u2019s body and why his chest appeared so pronounced.\n
Many speculated that Musk might have a condition called \u201dbarrel chest\u201d \u2013 a condition where the chest appears rounded or puffed up, resembling a barrel.\n
While not a disease in itself, barrel chest can be a sign of an underlying health issue, often linked to lung conditions.\n
When the lungs overfill with air, they push out the ribs, chest, and upper back bones, causing the chest to appear larger and more rounded. It can also lead to a more prominent sternum, an elevated collarbone, and shorter neck appearance.\n
Origin of the fake photo of Elon Musk\n
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In my opinion, all of these speculations were unnecessary, especially since the image in question was clearly manipulated. While some jumped to conclusions about Elon Musk\u2019s health and body, the reality is that the photo was altered.\n
As Snopes confirmed, the altered photo created a misleading narrative about Musk\u2019s health, sparking a wave of rumors that weren\u2019t grounded in reality.\n
The origins of the manipulated image can be linked back to a YouTube video posted on June 22, 2024, titled First Look Inside SpaceX\u2019s Starfactory with Elon Musk. Around the 2-minute mark in the video, there\u2019s a photo of Musk, which was later edited to make his chest and stomach appear larger.\n
An unknown user altered the photo, artificially extending Musk\u2019s chest and stomach to create the misleading image that went viral. While the viral speculation may have caused a stir online, Musk himself has mostly kept quiet on the matter.\n
But this isn\u2019t the first time the tech mogul\u2019s body \u2014 or his lifestyle \u2014 has caught people\u2019s attention.\n
Elon Musk\u2019s viral yacht photos: The Good, the Bad, and the body Shaming\n
In addition to the fake photo from 2024, Musk made headlines a few years ago when he was photographed on vacation in the Aegean Sea aboard a $20,000-per-week yacht.\n
The images, which went viral, captured Musk shirtless, sparking a wave of body-shaming and trolling. But Musk wasn\u2019t phased.\n
In fact, he took it in stride, responding humorously on Twitter: \u201dHaha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often \u2026 free the nip!! (already back in the factory btw).\u201d\n
Eating habits and weight Loss\n
Elon Musk, 53, has been open about his diet and weight loss journey, admitting that he\u2019s shed over 20 pounds from what he considered an \u201dunhealthy peak weight.\u201d\n
He also admitted to using Wegovy, an FDA-approved drug designed for chronic weight management.\n
Known for his intermittent fasting routine, Musk cycles between periods of fasting and eating, which he says has helped him manage his weight. He\u2019s also confessed to not having the healthiest eating habits.\n
For instance, Musk famously tweeted, \u201dI eat a donut every morning. Still alive,\u201d in response to a doctor claiming that sugar is \u201dpoison.\u201d His diet consists mainly of steak, sushi, chocolate, coffee, and caffeine-free Diet Coke, with a distinct aversion to vegetables.\n
Musk\u2019s body: A topic of constant public discussion\n
\n
From viral photos to debates about his diet and health, Elon Musk\u2019s body has been a consistent topic of conversation, often overshadowing his immense accomplishments.\n
Despite the sometimes harsh critiques, Musk seems to take it all with a sense of humor, reminding the public that, like anyone, he\u2019s just living his life \u2014 donuts, body speculations, and all.\n
The online speculation about his health might have been based on a fake image, but one thing is certain: Elon Musk continues to captivate the world with everything he does \u2014 even when it comes to what\u2019s on his plate (or not!).\n
As for his body? It seems that will remain a topic for discussion, no matter the truth.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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