Elon Musk's intellectual prowess is under scrutiny following claims by his biographer Seth Abramson, who asserts that the tech magnate's IQ does not exceed 110.
This revelation has provoked a storm of reactions online, particularly on the social media platform X, where many supporters and critics have clashed over the merit of Abramson's controversial assertion.
Abramson, known for his dual career as an attorney and journalist, made headlines with his sweeping declarations about Musk's intelligence in a series of tweets on X.
Traditionally, an IQ score of 100 is considered average, and anything above 130 is classified as gifted.
In a blunt statement, he tweeted, “As an Elon Musk biographer, I would peg his IQ as between 100 and 110. There’s zero evidence in his biography of anything higher.”
According to Abramson, the lack of unprecedented personal intellectual achievements in Musk’s life history raises questions about his claimed status as a visionary leader.
The biographer scrutinised Musk’s business ventures, referencing his removal from companies like PayPal and controversies such as allegations of concept theft linked to his early venture, Zip2.
While acknowledging Musk's role in SpaceX as "the only truly successful venture" he founded, Abramson suggested that Musk's successes are often rooted more in financial backing than in superior intellect.
This characterisation of Musk as merely an average thinker elicited widespread distress from his supporters, many of whom took to X to defend the billionaire entrepreneur.
Accusations of jealousy were levelled against Abramson, with users branding him as overly preoccupied with Musk's achievements.
As the debate heated up, defenders of Musk emphasised the ground-breaking innovations and industry transformations he has spearheaded, arguing that these achievements contradict Abramson's claims.
As an Elon Musk biographer, I would peg his IQ as between 100 and 110. There’s zero evidence in his biography of anything higher.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) February 20, 2025
And I want to repeat that now, lest you think it a typo.
There’s zero evidence, from his life history, of Musk having anything higher than a 110 IQ.
Abramson’s comments have also led to intense scrutiny of IQ tests, with various users questioning their validity as a measure of an individual's capabilities. One user challenged the relevance of such tests, declaring, “What does that tell us about a person's abilities, potential, creativity, etc.” Another chimed in to say, “Dude is a genius. Can you land a rocket?” indicating a belief in Musk's unique skill set beyond the realm of traditional assessment.
As the discourse evolved, it became evident that opinions varied widely. Some users found Abramson’s evaluation lacking in depth, while others argued it inaccurately overlooks Musk's vast array of skills. “I’m not a fan of his, but I don’t think this is an objective viewpoint,” remarked one user.
The debate heightened with Abramson, in a sincere reply, alleging that Musk's purported genius is a product of an "American disease" that equates wealth with intelligence. He painted Musk as an "average coder" and “average video game player” with terrible management skills, merely coasting on luck and the grind of his workforce.
As this conversation continues to unfold, Abramson has extended his critique into promotional opportunities for his upcoming book, further intertwining his narrative with that of Musk. Despite the backlash, he remains steadfast in his belief that true intellectual accomplishments are notably absent from Musk's body of work.