Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is not just known for his innovations, he is also very active on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where he often shares his thoughts and reacts to trending topics.
Recently, Musk responded to a post discussing the idea of national identity and ethnicity. The tweet, written by a user of Indian origin, questioned why some people don’t consider white South Africans as Africans.
The post pointed out that if that logic is applied, then a brown-skinned British man wouldn’t be considered British, or a black American wouldn’t be truly American. The tweet argued that identity shouldn’t be selectively applied—it should be equal for everyone, no matter their skin color or origin.
“If white South Africans aren’t Africans then; No brown British man is British No black American is American No white American is American No black Jamaican is Jamaican No black Frenchman is French You cannot have it one way and not the other. White South Africans are Africans.” – he wrote.
Musk called this a “strong argument,” which led to a wave of online discussions. People debated the difference between race, ethnicity, and nationality.
Sound argument https://t.co/3QUhYKLG7M
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 19, 2025
Some said identity is based on borders and citizenship, while others argued that identity is personal and fluid—it can depend on how a person sees themselves and how they’re accepted in society.
The topic struck a chord, especially in countries with a history of migration and colonialism. Musk’s reply added more fuel to the conversation, as users shared their thoughts on inclusivity and the evolving idea of what it means to belong to a nation.
For context, Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He moved to Canada at 17 and later to the United States, where he built his career.
Over the years, he co-founded several major companies like Zip2, PayPal, SpaceX, and Tesla. Today, Musk is one of the most influential tech leaders in the world—and his online presence often keeps him right in the middle of global conversations.