Maye Musk Defends Son Elon, Reflects on Raising the World’s First Trillionaire

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — Maye Musk, mother of SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, shared personal insights into raising the world’s first trillionaire during a Wednesday interview with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King.

Reflecting on her son’s childhood, Musk described him as a genius who possesses a genuine desire to improve the world, even if his methods often ruffle feathers. She expressed frustration over the public treatment of her son, noting that many critics are strangers or individuals who lack personal accomplishments.

Musk emphasized that her son consistently prioritizes the best interests of America and the global community. She noted that when his ideas are ignored, he turns his focus toward his long-standing ambition of reaching Mars.

The tech mogul faced significant scrutiny during his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, where he oversaw major organizational overhauls and funding cuts to programs like global aid during the early months of President Trump’s second term. Following his departure from the White House, a public rift emerged after Musk criticized the president’s One Big Beautiful Bill, though the two appear to have since reconciled.

Since exiting federal service, Musk has supported Republican midterm candidates and advocated for data center expansion. In December 2025, he remarked that he would likely avoid a repeat of his DOGE experience due to the intense negative public reaction, a period that coincided with SpaceX going public and his rise to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.

Regarding questions about whether her son is on the spectrum, Maye Musk acknowledged that he can be socially awkward, though she stopped short of a full clinical confirmation. She highlighted that she recognized his unique nature from a very young age.

In her memoir, Timeless, Musk details her escape from an abusive marriage and her relocation from South Africa to Canada with her three children. She recounted the struggle of balancing her dietetics practice, parenting, and graduate studies while living in a one-bedroom apartment where the family often slept on floors and couches without complaint.

Years later, her children provided her with an apartment in New York City, offering the stability she needed to pursue a second act. While she modeled as a teenager, her career reached new heights in her 70s, culminating in her becoming the oldest woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2022.

Musk views her advancing age as a source of wisdom rather than a limitation. She encourages others to embrace their experience, noting that as you get older, you gain the confidence to say no and the clarity to pursue what you believe is right.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)