Elon Musk says he’s drastically changed how he moves in public — or doesn’t move at all. The billionaire revealed that he’s become extremely fearful about going out following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in broad daylight back in September.
During an episode of The Katie Miller Podcast, Musk explained that the incident shifted his entire sense of safety. According to Complex, he shared that he now feels like going anywhere is nearly impossible due to what he described as “serious security issues.”
“Life Is on Hardcore Mode”
Musk stressed just how tense things have become for him on a daily basis. “Life is on hardcore mode,” he said. “Make one mistake and you’re dead.” He added that he constantly has his guard up and couldn’t even remember the last time he ran a simple errand because of his fear of being in public spaces.
Musk was vocal in his support of Kirk after his passing, even sharing a clip on social media from one of Kirk’s final interviews. The shooting — which happened in broad daylight — appears to have deeply influenced Musk’s current mindset about personal safety.
What Happened to Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an outdoor event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was struck by a single bullet during the event and was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The 31-year-old’s killing was widely described as a targeted attack and sparked national attention, with law enforcement quickly arresting a suspect in connection with the shooting. His death prompted widespread reactions across the political spectrum and renewed discussions about political violence in the U.S.