A post shared on Facebook claims Tesla CEO and owner of X, Elon Musk, has purportedly acquired Ford Motor Company.
Verdict: False
The claim is false and appears to originally stem from a Sept. 16 YouTube video shared by the channel “Elon Musk Rewind,” according to PolitiFact.
Fact Check:
Musk has reportedly clashed with Boris Epshteyn over President-Elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, according to Axios. Musk has accused Epshteyn, a top Trump adviser, of leaking the President-Elect’s personnel picks to the media, the outlet indicated.
The Facebook post claims Musk has purportedly acquired Ford Motor Company.
“In an unexpected move, Elon Musk has announced the acquisition of the iconic Ford automotive brand, marking a milestone in the automotive industry. The acquisition, which surprised investors and industry followers alike, is portrayed as a revolutionary step in the electric and autonomous vehicle market,” the post reads in part.
“With this purchase, Musk plans to combine Ford’s historic manufacturing experience with Tesla’s cutting-edge technology, driving the transition toward a future of sustainable mobility. Analysts speculate that this alliance will allow Ford to incorporate innovations in electrical technology and artificial intelligence, which could accelerate new model development and redefine the global automotive market,” it continues.
The claim is false. Musk does not appear to have publicly commented on the claim via his verified X account. Likewise, Ford Motor Company has not issued a press release or social media statement confirming the purported acquisition.
In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On Nov. 14, PolitiFact debunked the claim. According to the outlet, the claim seems to originate from a Sept. 16 YouTube video shared by the channel “Elon Musk Rewind.” The video’s description indicates the content is “unverified,” and its information should not be “considered the truth.”
Besides PolitiFact, Snopes, VERIFY, and Rappler also debunked the claim. (RELATED: No, Elon Musk Did Not Announce A Water-Powered Car Engine)
Check Your Fact has contacted Musk and Ford Motor Company for comment.