Social media platforms recently erupted with rumors claiming that Elon Musk had purchased Amazon, but fact-checkers have debunked the claims as false. The rumor originated from a now-deleted YouTube video titled “Elon Musk Just BOUGHT Amazon & Ends All Competition!” shared on the Elon Musk Rewind channel on November 15, 2024.
The video quickly went viral, racking up tens of thousands of views and being widely shared on X (formerly Twitter). It included fabricated claims of Musk announcing, “I just officially bought Amazon,” and featured a thumbnail of the billionaire holding a supposed contract for the alleged deal. However, investigations revealed that the video used AI-generated voice clips and edited visuals to create the false narrative.
Viral Video Removed Amid Backlash
On November 21, 2024, Snopes, a prominent fact-checking website, reported that the YouTube video had been removed after the associated channel was terminated. The platform displayed a message stating: “This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.”
Snopes confirmed that no credible sources or major news outlets had reported on Musk purchasing Amazon, debunking the rumor entirely. Additionally, the alleged video’s content was flagged as manipulated, further discrediting the claims.
The rumors were fueled by the longstanding rivalry between Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Their competition has extended beyond personal net worth rankings to ambitious projects like the space race, with Musk’s SpaceX and Bezos’s Blue Origin competing for dominance in the reusable rocket industry.
Musk recently reignited the rivalry with controversial comments on X, alleging that Bezos had advised investors to sell Tesla and SpaceX stocks. Musk tweeted:
“Just learned tonight at Mar-a-Lago that Jeff Bezos was telling everyone that @realDonaldTrump would lose for sure, so they should sell all their Tesla and SpaceX stock 🤭.”
Bezos swiftly denied the claim, replying, “100% not true,” prompting Musk to post a follow-up:
“Well, then, I stand corrected 😂.”
Why the Rumor Doesn’t Add Up
The most glaring flaw in the rumor is the financial implausibility of the claim. According to Gazette Direct
Moreover, Musk has been preoccupied with his roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and his recent appointment to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President-elect Donald Trump.
While the idea of Musk owning Amazon may have sparked curiosity, the rumor has been thoroughly debunked. The viral video was a product of AI manipulation, and there is no evidence to support claims that such a monumental acquisition has occurred. For now, it’s clear that the Musk-Bezos rivalry will continue in the arenas of innovation and influence, but not as co-owners of Amazon.