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On March 15, 2025, a viral Facebook post claimed that Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had pledged $10 million in support of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The post further alleged that Musk had expressed his support for Clark on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I support you, Caitlin Clark.”
This claim gained significant traction on social media, with many users on Facebook and YouTube sharing the post as though it were factual. One YouTube channel even amplified the claim with the headline, "Elon Musk Backs Caitlin Clark, Offers $10 Million Endorsement: 'I Support You, Caitlin Clark.'"
Fact Check: Originated as Satire
Upon investigation, Fact Checking website Snopes confirmed that the claim is entirely false and originated from a satirical source. The original post came from Esspots.com, a website known for publishing satirical and fictional content. The article, which was archived and dated June 2024, claimed:
"In a bold and unexpected move, Elon Musk has thrown his support behind Caitlin Clark, the rising star of women's basketball, by offering her a $10 million endorsement deal. Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his ventures in technology and space exploration, made the announcement via social media, expressing his admiration for Clark's talent and potential. This endorsement not only highlights Clark's growing influence in the sports world but also underscores the evolving nature of athlete sponsorships in the age of social media and tech magnates."
However, Esspots.com includes a disclaimer that clearly states:
"Welcome to Esspots.com, a website that specializes in satire, parody, and humor. Before you proceed to read our content, we would like to emphasize that nothing on this website is real. All of the articles, stories, and commentary found on Esspots.com are entirely fictitious and created for the purpose of entertainment only."
Esspots.com and its associated SpaceX Fanclub Facebook page, both part of the SpaceXMania network, have a long history of fabricating stories for engagement. Snopes has previously fact-checked numerous misleading claims stemming from these sources.
No Evidence of Musk’s Support for Clark
There is no verifiable evidence that Elon Musk posted anything about supporting Caitlin Clark on X or that he pledged $10 million toward her career. Snopes found no credible news reports, press releases, or statements from Musk or Clark confirming such claims. Had this been true, it would have been widely covered by mainstream media.
Musk’s Past Comments on Caitlin Clark
In contrast, Elon Musk’s previous public commentary about Caitlin Clark was critical rather than supportive. In December 2024, Musk shared an X post criticizing Clark for discussing her “white privilege.” He responded “100%” to a post that stated:
“'My truth' and 'white privilege' are code for someone who has been captured by the woke mob and is pandering to get people to like and accept them. No matter how much Caitlin Clark panders, they'll still hate her guts.”
These remarks indicate that Musk’s interactions regarding Clark have been far from supportive, contradicting the false claims about his financial backing.
Satirical Source Behind Viral Post
The viral post was lifted directly from a satirical article on Esspots.com, which fabricates news stories for entertainment. This particular article attempted to blend elements of reality with fiction, creating a narrative that was easily mistaken as real by social media users.
