Elon Musk, a figure who often dominates headlines, recently sparked online buzz, but this time, it wasn’t due to his ventures or views. Instead, attention turned to a viral image of the billionaire that portrayed an enlarged stomach and chest, leading to speculation about his health. Some wondered if Musk had developed a condition known as “barrel chest,” where the chest appears unusually puffed out, often a sign of lung-related issues.
The photo, which appeared on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained traction, but there was one major problem: it was manipulated. Despite fact-checking and media confirmation that the image had been altered, the photo spread widely. The tweet, shared by the now-deleted account “evan loves morf,” suggested Musk was hiding his true appearance with AI-generated pictures. The tweet amassed millions of views and sparked further speculation.
Barrel chest, which can result from lung conditions, causes the chest to appear more rounded due to air trapped in the lungs. However, there was no confirmation that Musk had this condition, and the altered image didn’t accurately depict his body.
The origins of the manipulated photo trace back to a video posted in June 2024 showing Musk at a SpaceX event. An unknown user edited the footage to exaggerate Musk’s chest and stomach, leading to the misleading image.
This incident is not Musk’s first encounter with public body scrutiny. He previously faced body-shaming during a vacation when photos of him aboard a yacht went viral. Musk responded humorously, showing resilience against online criticism.
Known for his intermittent fasting routine and sometimes unconventional eating habits, Musk has also discussed his weight loss journey and use of weight-management medication, shedding over 20 pounds from what he considered an unhealthy peak weight. Despite the attention on his body, Musk appears to take it all in stride, embracing the public’s fascination with his personal life.
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