Unlikely Defend Billionaires Billboard Is Real
The Claim
A billboard shows a picture of Elon Musk next to the words, “Defend billionaires. We’re just like you.”
Emerging story
In early June, an image began to circulate on Twitter that showed a billboard in which a portrait of Elon Musk, owner of companies which include Tesla Motors and SpaceX, accompanies the phrase, “Defend billionaires. We’re just like you.” Twitter users began sharing the image, with the original caption “Spotted in the wild.” Others shared their disbelief at the idea that anyone would promote this kind of message.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found no evidence of the billboard’s authenticity. The original posting fails to note the location of the billboard. A Google reverse image search revealed the only source of this image is social media, thus far.
The original source self-describes as a communist and most of their Twitter feed often discusses issues of and wealth disparity, which could imply that the post was created as social commentary. In a follow-up post to the billboard image, the user writes, “It is infinitely cheaper to [eat] one billionaire than driving less to reduce carbon emissions!”
In April, a Los Angeles creative agency erected a real billboard near SpaceX’s headquarters in an attempt to troll Musk. “Mars Sucks,” it read. The company added on Twitter, “But the way we treat it frankly sucks.” The billboard went up on Earth Day, April 22nd, and was already in national news the following day. No major news outlets have mentioned this new billboard, however. From SEC penalties to fan clubs, Elon Musk keeps his name in the spotlight, and it’s not always positive.
