While we were asleep, Elon Musk added $62 billion, bringing his net worth to startling $447 billion and making him the first person ever to reach such a milestone. That’s more than Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates combined.

What’s behind this surge? According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk’s fortune has increased 77% since the Election Day, November 5.

Musk has fostered a close relationship with Trump and has been tapped for a key position in the new administration as co-lead of the Department of Government Efficiency. While he won’t officially work within the government, Musk will have a direct line to the White House, wielding significant influence over federal policy and the agencies that regulate his empire of six companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, which have collectively received billions in federal contracts over the past ten years.

Since Election Day, Tesla shares have skyrocketed by 70%, adding roughly $500 billion to the company’s value and pushing its market cap past $1.3 trillion. Musk owns about 13% of Tesla, which translates to nearly $170 billion.

Tesla Stock Chart by TradingView

So where’s the rest of his wealth coming from? While Tesla soaring stock price has played a big role, it’s Musk’s privately held stake in SpaceX that’s truly pushed his fortune over the edge. A recent insider share sale valued SpaceX at $350 billion, cementing its status as a leader in the space exploration industry.

Additionally, Musk’s AI startup, xAI — created to rival OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT — recently raised $5 billion, boosting its valuation to $50 billion just two years after its launch.

It’s worth noting that Musk has already held the title of the world’s richest person. While his position has fluctuated in recent years due to swings in Tesla stock price, he’s consistently remained at the top since May.

Of course, most of Musk’s fortune exists on paper, tied up in shares. Still, it’s become a hot topic of debate, with some arguing he could use his wealth to solve global issues like hunger, while others question whether his political aspirations align with his claims of prioritizing the public good.

We’re not here to judge, but it’s worth talking about, don’t you think?