Elon Musk's 20-Member Security Detail Follows Him Everywhere, Even to the Bathroom. Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is constantly surrounded by a security team known as Voyager. This team, consisting of 20 bodyguards, accompanies Musk everywhere, including to the bathroom. His need for heightened security is largely due to various threats against him over the years.
Musk's security expenses have significantly increased. In 2016, Tesla spent over $163,000 on his protection, but that number has soared to $2.4 million in 2023, with an additional $500,000 spent by February 2024. These figures reflect the growing concerns for Musk’s safety, especially after incidents involving personal threats.
At Tesla's annual shareholder meeting in June, Musk mentioned that he had been targeted by two individuals with homicidal intentions. In response to these threats, Musk secretly purchased a new home in 2022 after his previous address was revealed.
In the same year, Musk acquired Twitter (now rebranded as X) and took action against a university student who was tracking his private jet. Musk called the flight details “assassination coordinates” and tried to suspend multiple accounts associated with this tracking.
Aside from Musk, Tesla’s former chief financial officer, Zachary Kirkhorn, has also faced threats. Kirkhorn received an email demanding $300,000 in bitcoin in exchange for his safety. Law enforcement has classified these threats as "terroristic" in nature.
Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have invested millions in ensuring his protection. His security has been handled by Gavin de Becker & Associates and other firms. In addition, Musk founded his own security company, Foundation Security, to deal with ongoing threats.
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