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Elon Musk Becomes First Person To Surpass $400 Billion Net Worth

Elon Musk has made history, becoming the first individual to reach a net worth of $400 billion, according to Bloomberg. This milestone is largely driven by a significant surge in SpaceX’s valuation, now pegged at $350 billion following a $1.25 billion insider share purchase agreement. Musk’s fortune now positions him $140 billion ahead of Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, his closest rival. Although wealth rankings fluctuate, Musk’s commanding lead appears firmly in place.

Key Drivers Of Wealth Surge

The recent $20 billion increase in Musk’s fortune came largely from SpaceX’s valuation hike. Although the company’s finances are typically opaque, the deal underscores the growing confidence in SpaceX’s future.

Musk’s post-election alliance with President-elect Donald Trump has also amplified his influence. His new role co-leading the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) with Vivek Ramaswamy is seen as a potential catalyst for deregulation, which could benefit Musk’s ventures.

Tesla’s stock hit a record high of $424.77, contributing to a 65% increase since Election Day. This stock surge, combined with the NASDAQ crossing 20,000, has been instrumental in Musk’s wealth spike. As Tesla’s largest shareholder, Musk directly benefits from these market gains.

Beyond SpaceX And Tesla

Musk’s xAI venture has doubled its valuation to $50 billion following a new funding round, reflecting the growing interest in AI technologies. Additionally, ventures like Neuralink, The Boring Company, and his ownership of X further bolster his wealth.

Musk’s $101 billion Tesla pay package, which faced legal scrutiny, remains part of Bloomberg’s wealth calculation. The package is now valued at $120 billion, due to the rising stock price of Tesla.

With continued growth in AI, electric vehicles, and space exploration, Musk’s wealth is on track to keep rising. The expanding valuations of his ventures and potential policy shifts could further fuel his financial ascent.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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