Elon Musk’s Wealth Falls Below $300 Billion Amid Tesla Stock Decline:

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc., has seen his net worth dip below $300 billion for the first time since November. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk lost $4.4 billion on Monday following another decline in Tesla’s stock. His total loss for the year now stands at $134.7 billion.

The Tesla stock slide also contributed to a broader market downturn, with the Bloomberg Billionaires Index dropping $271 billion on Monday—its third-largest one-day loss ever. Musk was the sixth-largest loser on the list of the world’s 500 richest individuals.

Tariff Fallout Hurting Tesla and Musk

The financial decline follows the announcement and effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Despite previously benefiting from a stock rally post-election, Musk’s close association with Trump has led to public backlash. Tesla has faced protests and acts of vandalism in both the U.S. and overseas.

The company’s shares have now dropped over 50% since reaching a peak in mid-December. Market sentiment appears to be affected by Musk’s high-profile role and controversial social media presence, which have alienated some customers and investors.

Calls for Trade Reform and Tariff Criticism

Over the weekend, Musk publicly expressed support for a "zero-tariff" agreement between the U.S. and Europe. He described such a move as a path to a true "free-trade zone."

Kimbal Musk, Elon’s brother and a Tesla board member, echoed these sentiments on Monday. He criticized the current tariff system, describing it as a "permanent tax on the American consumer." According to Kimbal, even if tariffs manage to bring some manufacturing back to the U.S., costs will remain high due to inefficiencies in domestic production.