Elon Musk Achieves Historic Milestone with 200 Million Followers on X
Tech Billionaire Sets New Record on Social Media Platform Acquired for $44 Billion
Summary
On October 3, 2024, Elon Musk made headlines by becoming the first person ever to reach 200 million followers on the X social media platform, which he acquired in October 2022 for an astounding $44 billion. This achievement puts Musk at the forefront of social media, significantly outpacing other high-profile accounts while raising questions about follower authenticity amid recent controversies.
Milestone Achieved
Elon Musk has set a remarkable record on X, previously known as Twitter, by becoming the first individual to reach an impressive 200 million followers. This milestone was achieved on October 3, 2024, reinforcing Musk’s influential presence on the platform he acquired for $44 billion in October 2022.
Trailing Musk are notable figures such as former US President Barack Obama, who boasts 131.9 million followers, and renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, with 113.2 million. The popular singer Justin Bieber comes in fourth with 110.3 million followers, while the celebrated artist Rihanna holds the fifth position with 108.4 million followers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made waves by surpassing 100 million followers, currently standing at 102.4 million. Musk expressed his admiration for Modi’s achievement, further showcasing the global appeal of X.
Recently, Musk reported that X has surpassed 600 million monthly active users (MAUs) and approximately 300 million daily active users (DAUs). Despite these impressive statistics, concerns have been raised about the authenticity of Musk’s follower count, with claims that many accounts may be inactive or fake. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding these assertions.
Musk has described X as “the group chat for Earth,” emphasizing its role as a worldwide communication hub. He envisions transforming X into an “everything app,” allowing users to share movies, TV shows, and conduct digital payments. Additionally, Musk claims that user engagement on X in the United States has reached unprecedented levels.
However, X faces challenges, particularly in light of recent developments from global investment firm Fidelity. The firm slashed the value of its holdings in Musk’s X by a staggering 78.7%, suggesting that the platform’s valuation has plummeted to just $9.4 billion—less than a quarter of the initial purchase price. Reports from TechCrunch, citing regulatory filings, indicate a significant decline in X’s worth since Musk’s acquisition, but neither X, Fidelity, nor Musk has commented on these claims.
In summary, Musk’s milestone of 200 million followers not only highlights his substantial influence but also underscores the evolving dynamics of social media and the ongoing questions about follower authenticity and platform value in the digital age.
