Elon Musk has ushered in 2025 with several notable developments across his ventures:
Launch of X Money
X (formerly Twitter) announced the upcoming launch of “X Money,” a new payment system set to debut in 2025. CEO Linda Yaccarino teased this development alongside other features like X TV and Grok, encouraging users to anticipate exciting innovations. An official X Money account has already garnered significant attention, amassing over 140,000 followers.
Cybertruck’s Resilience Highlighted
On New Year’s Day, a Tesla Cybertruck was involved in an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The vehicle’s robust design effectively contained the blast, directing it upwards and minimizing damage to the surroundings. Musk praised the Cybertruck’s sturdiness, noting that it was a poor choice for a car bomb. Authorities suspect the incident was a deliberate act by a former US Army special forces soldier.
Significant Charitable Donation
Musk donated 268,000 Tesla shares, valued at approximately $108.2 million, to unspecified charities just before the new year. This aligns with his pattern of significant year-end contributions in previous years. The Musk Foundation supports various initiatives, including the development of safe artificial intelligence for societal benefits.
New Year’s Celebration with Donald Trump
Musk celebrated New Year’s Eve at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, accompanied by his 4-year-old son, X. Reports indicate that Musk has recently moved into a luxurious cottage on the estate to remain close to the president-elect. Together, Musk and Trump have formed a strong alliance, with Musk involving himself in key meetings and even setting up the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). This move signals a new direction for Trump’s administration as he enters his second term, emphasizing efficiency and innovative strategies from Musk’s expertise in the private sector.
Name Change on X
Musk updated his name on X to “Kekius Maximus” and changed his profile picture to Pepe the Frog dressed as a gladiator. This move sparked curiosity among his followers, with interpretations linking it to internet meme culture and possibly signaling his gaming interests. Notably, this activity influenced the cryptocurrency market, causing the value of the “Kekius Maximus” memecoin to surge by over 900%.
These developments underscore Musk’s multifaceted influence across technology, social media, and philanthropy as the new year begins.
