Claims circulating on X allege Elon Musk is targeting $20 billion to create a social media network where AI controls users’ thoughts and actions, sparking fear and skepticism. These assertions, lacking credible sources, appear to stem from misinterpretations of Musk’s recent ventures, particularly xAI’s acquisition of X for $33 billion in March 2025. While Musk’s ambitions for AI and social media integration are bold, no evidence supports the dystopian narrative of AI manipulating thoughts. Let’s unpack the facts behind this sensational rumor.

Musk’s xAI, valued at $80 billion, acquired X to merge its AI capabilities with the platform’s 600 million users, aiming to “deliver smarter experiences” through tools like the Grok chatbot. Reuters and CNN report the deal focuses on enhancing AI-driven content curation and user interaction, not controlling minds. Grok, trained on X’s data, assists with real-time answers, competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Musk’s vision, as stated on X, is to “accelerate human progress” and “seek truth,” not to dominate users’ thoughts or actions.

The $20 billion figure seems to echo speculative reports, like Bloomberg’s mention of xAI’s fundraising talks at a $75 billion valuation, but no confirmed $20 billion plan exists for a new network. Posts on X, such as @BassonBrain’s warning about AI diminishing independent thinking, fuel fears but lack specifics. Neuralink, Musk’s brain-interface project, is often cited in conspiracy theories about mind control, yet its focus remains on medical applications, like aiding paralysis patients, not social media integration.

Musk’s critics point to his influence via X and his role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency as evidence of overreach. NBC News notes advertisers are returning to X, wary of Musk’s political clout, but this reflects market dynamics, not AI coercion. OpenAI’s exploration of a rival social platform suggests competition, not a race to control minds. The idea of AI “controlling thoughts” likely exaggerates Musk’s push for AI-driven personalization, a feature already common in platforms like Instagram.

Skeptics on X, like @trinity_314, speculate about X becoming an “everything app” tied to Neuralink, but these claims are unsubstantiated. Musk’s history of provocative statements, like predicting AI will reduce biological intelligence to 1%, adds fuel to the fire, yet he emphasizes human oversight, not domination. Euronews quotes him advocating for AI regulation to mitigate risks, contradicting the narrative of unchecked control.

This “breaking news” appears to be a distorted amplification of Musk’s AI ambitions. While his projects warrant scrutiny, no credible evidence supports a $20 billion plan for thought-controlling AI. The real story is Musk’s drive to integrate AI into X, a move that could reshape social media—but not by stripping away free will.