Elon Musk elevates security from casual bodyguards to ‘mini-secret service’ level amidst rising threats

Tesla’s recent financial disclosures highlight the steep rise in Musk’s security costs

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man with a fortune exceeding $240 billion, has taken personal security to an unprecedented level, according to new revelations by The New York Times. Internal Tesla documents reveal that Musk’s security expenses have surged into the millions annually, as he employs a formidable team of bodyguards and security professionals to protect him around the clock.

In a dramatic shift from his earlier, more relaxed approach to security, Musk has transformed his protection strategy to rival that of a head of state. Once flanked by just two bodyguards, Musk now travels with as many as 20 security personnel, who are meticulously trained to scout escape routes and clear rooms before he enters. These professionals often carry firearms and include a dedicated medical expert. Musk's security team, codenamed “Voyager,” operates with the precision and vigilance of a mini-Secret Service, the NYT report adds.

The intensification of Musk’s security comes as he has increasingly become a target of stalkers and death threats. His previously manageable interactions with fans have escalated into more sinister encounters, leading to a complete overhaul of his security measures. While many high-profile individuals face security risks, Musk’s protective setup is notably more elaborate compared to other billionaires.

Musk, known for his devil-may-care public persona and his habit of mingling with celebrities and world leaders, has become significantly more guarded in private. Sources close to him told NYT that the rising threats have made him increasingly fearful and isolated. According to a recent lawsuit filed by former employees, Musk is rarely seen without his security detail, even in seemingly mundane situations like bathroom breaks at his social media company, X.

Tesla’s recent financial disclosures highlight the steep rise in Musk’s security costs, NYT adds. In 2023, Tesla reported spending $2.4 million on Musk’s protection, with an additional $500,000 allocated in the first two months of 2024 alone. This represents a dramatic increase from the $145,000 monthly average spent on his security between 2015 and 2018. For context, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook's security budget was $820,000 last year, while Amazon's Jeff Bezos was protected with $1.6 million. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg topped the list with a staggering $23.4 million spent on his security.

Musk himself has acknowledged the heightened risks. At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in June, he remarked on the growing severity of threats, saying, “The probability that a homicidal maniac will try to kill you is proportionate to how many homicidal maniacs hear your name.”

NYT has reported details about Elon Musk’s security arrangements by reviewing hundreds of pages of documents, it adds. These sources include Tesla records, police and local government files accessed through public records requests, state records of Musk’s security firm, audio recordings, court documents, and SEC filings. Specifics about Musk’s locations were not disclosed.

The Tesla documents were part of a larger cache obtained by the German newspaper Handelsblatt from Lukasz Krupski, a former Tesla employee. Sources close to Musk provided information to NYT under the condition of anonymity.