Trump and Musk Team Up to Uncover the Gold Truth
Could America's gold be gone?
That's the question U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are pushing into the spotlight — and they want you to see for yourself. With over $450 billion in shiny bullion allegedly stashed in Fort Knox, the world's richest man and the commander-in-chief are now demanding a peek behind the vault doors. Musk even wants to livestream the whole thing. What started as a conspiracy-fueled meme has now ballooned into a national spectacle. And depending on who you ask, it's either a long-overdue act of transparency — or political theater wrapped in gold foil.
What Is Fort Knox Even?
Despite what pop culture might say, Fort Knox is not a fictional lair from a Bond movie — it's the U.S. Bullion Depository, a real-life, heavily guarded fortress in Kentucky that houses nearly 60% of America's gold reserves. According to the Treasury Department, that's 147.3 million fine troy ounces of gold locked away in deep storage.
While the book value of that gold sits at just $6.2 billion — an outdated price set by the government — its current market value exceeds $430 billion based on today's gold price.
The facility, built in 1936, hasn't been open to the public in decades. The last significant inspection involving outsiders happened in 2017 when then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin toured the vault. According to NBC News, Mnuchin said, "The gold was there when I visited it. I hope nobody's moved it. I'm sure they haven't."
Musk Wants a Fort Knox Livestream — Seriously
It all started with a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) from the financial blog Zero Hedge, suggesting Musk should personally check if the gold was still there.
Musk responded enthusiastically — and then ran with it. "Maybe it's there, maybe it's not," he posted on X on Feb. 17, followed by multiple calls for a live video walkthrough of Fort Knox, according to NBC News.
In recent comments reported by Fox Business, Musk doubled down, saying, "I mean, that would be really fun. And after all, it is actually the gold of the American people, so the American people, it seems to me, have a right to see their gold. Hopefully, it looks really cool. You know, open the doors like, 'Is it there? Is that really gold? Let's check.' Maybe it'll be really interesting."
Musk, who also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has become a key voice in the push to bring transparency — or spectacle — to America's most iconic stash of wealth.
Is Trump on Board? Absolutely.
President Trump seized the moment. As reported by Forbes, Trump said in response to calls for an audit, "We're actually going to Fort Knox to see if the gold is there. Because maybe somebody stole the gold. Tons of gold."
While no formal plans for a visit have been announced, Trump's involvement has lent legitimacy — or at least high-level attention — to what many consider a fringe conspiracy theory.
Is the Gold Actually There?
According to the people responsible for it — yes.
According to Fox Business, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appointed by Trump, said in February that the annual audit completed on Sept. 30, 2024, confirmed all gold was accounted for.
Still, conspiracy theories are persistent. Some claim the gold was quietly moved, stolen, or even replaced with painted lead bricks. These allegations are unproven, but they've found fertile ground online — especially with influencers and alternative media.
So... Why Does This Matter?
To Musk, it's about visibility and citizen access. For Trump, it's a chance to stir patriotism — and skepticism — all at once. And for the public? The whole spectacle is irresistible. It taps into deep-seated distrust of institutions and a hunger for drama. Whether the doors open or not, this saga proves that in 2025, even something as old-school as gold bars can go viral.
References: Elon Musk says Fort Knox gold reserves should be livestreamed | Musk and Trump keep fanning flames of Fort Knox gold conspiracy theory | Trump Says He's Going To Check If 'Somebody Stole' Fort Knox $400 Billion Gold Supply
