Elon Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, has come to her son’s defense in a powerful new statement, rejecting the label of “wealthy” often associated with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. In a candid interview, Maye shared her thoughts on how the media and public tend to focus on her son’s financial success rather than acknowledging his true achievements and visionary ideas. According to Maye, calling Elon “wealthy” is not only misleading but “degrading,” as it reduces his life’s work and contributions to a mere financial figure.

In her remarks, Maye emphasized that Elon Musk is not just a billionaire but a “genius of the world.” She expressed her belief that his inventions, such as revolutionizing electric vehicles, advancing space exploration, and pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, make him one of the most important and innovative minds of our time. “Elon has always been focused on ideas, on doing something important for humanity. Wealth has never been his primary goal,” Maye Musk explained.

The comments reflect a broader sentiment shared by Musk’s family and supporters, who believe that the focus on his wealth often overshadows the groundbreaking work he has done in various industries. While his net worth frequently makes headlines, many see him as a visionary who is shaping the future of technology, space exploration, and sustainable energy, rather than simply amassing riches.

For instance, multiple people reacted by sharing the meme of The Simpson’s nebbish character Milhouse van Houten sheepishly saying: “But my mom thinks I’m cool!” At least one person superimposed an image of Elon on top of Milhouse in the cartoon.

“Bet your mom doesn’t go on Fox News to tell everybody what a good and impressive boy you are. (It is because you and your mom have dignity),” Wonkette managing editor Evan Hurst quipped on Bluesky.

Maye Musk’s defense of her son is part of a larger narrative that Elon Musk has fought against throughout his career. Despite facing criticism, especially when it comes to his bold and unconventional business moves, Musk has remained committed to his ambitious goals, which many see as being driven by a sense of purpose rather than a desire for personal wealth.

For Maye, this deeper recognition of her son’s intellectual and visionary contributions is important, and she hopes that more people begin to appreciate Elon for his ingenuity rather than just his financial status. The conversation also touches on a larger cultural discussion about how success is measured and the true meaning of achievement.