--- title: "Elon Laments That in Spite of His Obscene Wealth, He Still Can’t Find Happiness" description: "The world's richest man is feeling sorry for himself after it was revealed that he kept close ties with notorious pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein." date: "2026-02-05" modified: "2026-02-05" authors: - name: "Joe Wilkins" job_title: "Correspondent" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jwilkins" url: "https://futurism.com/future-society/elon-musk-money-happiness" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Finance" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" --- # Elon Laments That in Spite of His Obscene Wealth, He Still Can’t Find Happiness ![Elon Musk is shown in a black and white photo. He is wearing a dark sweater over a striped collared shirt and looking to the right. The background is bright yellow with a large red circle featuring a grid pattern behind his head.]() *Illustration by Tag Hartman-Simkins / Futurism. Source: Patrick Tehan / MediaNews Group / Mercury News via Getty Images* At this point, there's nothing left to say about Elon Musk that hasn't been said a thousand times already. Yet his latest comment is so on the nose, we couldn't resist. "Whoever said 'money can't buy happiness' really knew what they were talking about," the world's richest man [mourned on X-formerly-Twitter]() this week, likely from one of his mansions, or perhaps his private jet. It's a pathetic complaint from someone who could end homelessness in multiple cities, fund universal school lunch programs across the US, or bankroll malaria eradication with just a fraction of his wealth. It also comes just days after another tranche of emails from notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein were released to the public. There, it was revealed that Musk had been in extensive contact with Epstein in the years following his [2008 conviction]() for soliciting prostitution from a minor. (Musk even went so far as to [beg Epstein for an invite]() to his infamous island in December of 2013, contradicting his [earlier assurance]() that he'd "refused" the offer.) The revelation is evidently [taking its toll]() on Musk, who began a desperate campaign to clear his name on social media. "If I actually wanted to spend my time partying with young women, it would be trivial for me to do so without the help of a creepy loser like Epstein," the [billionaire raved]() in one post. Now that his ties to Epstein are undeniable, Musk evidently thinks he can pity-post his way out of it. So here's a challenge, Elon: if money really doesn't buy happiness, set yourself free. Liquidate your hundreds of billions and feed the hungry, house the homeless, and fund the schools. He won't, of course — but he could, and that's what makes this performance so insulting. At least King Midas had the decency to regret his curse. **More on Musk:** *[Mother of Elon Musk’s Child Sues xAI Over Grok Abuse]()* ## Author At Futurism, I focus on the intersection of technology and power — examining the economics, history, and politics behind today’s dystopian headlines. As a writer, I’m interested in topics ranging from AI’s impact on labor to startups nobody asked for. My prior work includes bylines in Jacobin, Verso, and Blue Labyrinths. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Forbes, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Verge, and Wired. I grew up in Michigan, attending Central Michigan University as well as Ball State University, where I earned a master of music. I now live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend and our cat Ziti. On weekends, you can find me hunched over a cold pint arguing geopolitics with the other transplants. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()