20 Bodyguards for 'Voyager': Inside Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $6-figure security detail
Tesla’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, has significantly ramped up security measures for CEO Elon Musk following a series of serious threats. Reports reveal that between April 2022 and January 2024, Tesla responded to over five emergency 911 calls related to "terroristic threats," prompting substantial investments in safety.
One notable incident occurred in March 2023 when then-Chief Financial Officer Zachary Kirkhorn received a death threat demanding $300,000 in bitcoin. Although authorities later identified the threat as a scam, it highlighted the escalating security concerns. In January 2024, another threat emerged when a Tesla employee used X (formerly Twitter) to issue a terroristic threat against Musk and President Joe Biden. The employee was arrested, and the threat was classified as "terroristic."
Musk, codenamed "Voyager" by his security team, is typically accompanied by up to 20 security personnel, including armed guards and a medical professional. His high-profile status, with a net worth exceeding $250 billion, necessitates such extensive protection. His monthly security expenses, which can exceed $163,000, reflect the high costs associated with safeguarding a figure of his prominence.
Additionally, Musk has taken personal security steps, including purchasing a house with 24/7 security after his address was made public.