In a bold move blending populist transparency with a dash of spectacle, tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited a new conversation that’s capturing the attention of Americans far beyond the realms of technology, space travel, or electric vehicles. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has publicly proposed a livestream of Fort Knox’s legendary gold reserves — an idea now reportedly supported by President Donald Trump. I mean, that would be really fun,” Musk said. “And after all, it is actually the gold of the American people, so the American people, it seems to me, have a right to see their gold. “The comment came during a thread on X (formerly Twitter), where Musk casually entertained the idea of checking whether the U.S. Bullion Depository still holds its full stockpile of gold — a staggering 147.3 million troy ounces, valued at over $459 billion at current market prices. Though said partly in jest, the proposal taps into longstanding public curiosity and skepticism about one of America’s most secretive institutions.
The U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, located in Kentucky, is widely believed to be one of the most secure facilities in the world. It is guarded by multiple layers of physical and electronic security, and its exact specifications are classified. The gold stored there is primarily in the form of gold bars, most of which are of 400-ounce standard, and serves as a key part of the U.S. reserves.
According to the U.S. Mint, Fort Knox holds roughly 147.3 million troy ounces of gold — about half of the country’s total gold holdings. That gold is owned by the U.S. Treasury and is considered a strategic financial reserve.
Despite official records and annual audits, public access to Fort Knox is virtually nonexistent. The last time members of the media were allowed a glimpse inside was in 1974, and very few government officials have ever seen the interior firsthand. This lack of transparency has, over the decades, bred conspiracy theories ranging from the harmlessly speculative to the outright absurd.
Musk’s remarks struck a chord with millions, prompting discussions about government transparency and the role of public trust in national financial institutions. In true Musk fashion, the comment balanced humor and sincerity — playful, yet pointed: “Hopefully, it looks really cool. You know, open the doors like, ‘Is it there? Is that really gold? Let’s check.’ Maybe it’ll be really interesting.”
