Elon Musk Considers Returning to Instagram and TikTok Ahead of SpaceX IPO

The billionaire, who once called Instagram a 'thirst trap,' may use social media platforms beyond his own X to promote the highly anticipated SpaceX public offering.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic SpaceX rocket engine component, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate mechanical details, conceptually representing the advanced technology and innovation behind the company's space exploration efforts.The luminous, high-tech visuals of SpaceX's advanced aerospace engineering could be a key part of Elon Musk's social media strategy to promote the company's upcoming IPO.NYC Today

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, has been critical of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook in the past, even deleting his personal accounts. However, recent reports suggest Musk may be reconsidering his stance and could return to Instagram and join TikTok, potentially to promote the upcoming SpaceX IPO. Musk has previously expressed distaste for the 'thirst trap' nature of Instagram, but the prospect of reaching new investors ahead of the highly anticipated SpaceX public offering may be motivating him to expand his social media presence beyond his own X platform.

Why it matters

Musk's potential return to Instagram and TikTok could be a strategic move to reach a wider audience and generate more buzz around the SpaceX IPO. As one of the most influential figures in the tech industry, Musk's social media presence can have a significant impact on public perception and investor interest. This shift in Musk's social media strategy could also signal a broader change in how he approaches marketing and communication for his companies.

The details

In the past, Musk has been highly critical of Meta-owned platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, even going so far as to delete official accounts for Tesla and SpaceX. However, recent reports suggest that Musk may be reconsidering his stance, with a new Instagram account potentially belonging to him and a TikTok account that has already posted content related to Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has previously admitted to having a secret Instagram account where he could click on links, and he has also criticized Instagram for being a 'thirst trap' that encourages users to take too many selfies. Despite his past criticisms, Musk's potential return to these platforms could be driven by the upcoming SpaceX IPO, which is highly anticipated by investors. By expanding his social media presence, Musk may be able to reach a wider audience and generate more interest in the SpaceX public offering.

  • In past interviews, Musk has admitted to deleting official accounts for Tesla and SpaceX on Facebook, along with his personal Instagram account.
  • In 2022, Musk admitted to having a secret Instagram account where he could click on links.
  • In 2023, Musk doubled down on his criticism of Instagram, saying the social media platform makes users 'depressed.'

The players

Elon Musk

The CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, who has been critical of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook in the past.

Tesla Inc.

The electric vehicle company founded by Elon Musk, which recently began advertising on Facebook after Musk's past criticism of the platform.

SpaceX

The aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, which is expected to go public in a highly anticipated IPO.

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What they’re saying

“Just don't like Facebook. Gives me the willies.”

— Elon Musk

“Instagram, man — it's a thirst trap, you know.”

— Elon Musk

“Whatever message I'm trying to get across I can put on Twitter.”

— Elon Musk

What’s next

The upcoming SpaceX IPO is expected to be a major event, and Musk's potential return to Instagram and TikTok could be a strategic move to generate more interest and buzz around the offering. Investors and the public will be closely watching Musk's social media activity in the coming months to see if he follows through on this potential shift in his communication strategy.

The takeaway

Elon Musk's past criticism of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook has been well-documented, but the prospect of the SpaceX IPO may be causing him to reconsider his stance. If Musk does return to these platforms, it could signal a broader change in how he approaches marketing and communication for his companies, potentially allowing him to reach a wider audience and generate more interest in the highly anticipated SpaceX public offering.