Elon Musk and Andrew Tate each pledged $1 million Wednesday to fund murals of Iryna Zarutska across U.S. cities, amplifying a $500,000 grant program launched by Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe.
McCabe said he is offering “$500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent US city locations,” inviting artists to apply. The pledges follow the release of train surveillance video and fresh federal charges in Zarutska’s killing. (RELATED: Charlotte City Council Had Literal ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ Moment After Iryna Zarutska Murder)
“I will contribute $1M,” Musk posted in reply to McCabe’s call.
“Matched. 1M,” Tate wrote shortly afterward.
I will contribute $1M
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 10, 2025
McCabe’s mural fund surfaced amid national outrage over Zarutska’s death and his high-profile push to memorialize her. Zarutska, 23, a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on Aug. 22 while riding Charlotte’s LYNX Blue Line, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. The department identified Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, as the suspect and said he will face a first-degree murder charge.
Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that Brown is also charged with committing “an act causing death on a mass transportation system,” a crime that carries a potential life sentence or death. An affidavit describes surveillance footage showing the attacker pull a knife and strike three times from behind before walking away; officers arrested Brown on the platform.
CATS released the train surveillance video Friday, which local outlets published with graphic warnings, intensifying public scrutiny of transit safety in Charlotte.
McCabe’s post indicates the mural initiative will distribute $10,000 grants to artists for prominent placements; he also shared a donation link to support the project. Musk and Tate’s posts did not include additional details beyond their dollar commitments.