A viral claim circulating online suggested that Elon Musk’s personal net worth could equal nearly 1% of global GDP. The billionaire CEO responded directly, offering a simpler explanation for how people should actually think about his wealth. Musk said the easiest way to estimate his net worth is to track the combined market value of the companies most closely tied to him, specifically Tesla and SpaceX. Because Musk owns large stakes in both companies, changes in their valuations can cause massive swings in his personal wealth. Tesla, the electric vehicle giant Musk leads, trades publicly on the stock market and has experienced huge volatility over the past decade as investors bet on the future of EVs, AI, and autonomous driving. SpaceX, meanwhile, remains privately held but has grown into one of the most valuable private companies in the world thanks to its rocket launches, Starlink satellite network, and contracts with NASA and the U.S. government. When both companies rise in valuatio...