Kimbal Musk criticized Trump on social media: who is Elon's brother and where does his wealth come from

Recently, a bold statement was made on social media platform X by a person whose status in the business world often remains in the shadow of his more famous brother. Kimbal Musk, a 52-year-old entrepreneur and investor, sharply criticized the U.S. president’s tariff policies. Although both brothers grew up wealthy and achieved great heights, their views on politics and economics sometimes differ.

Kimbal Musk’s Bold Criticism of the Trump Administration’s Decisions

In his recent post, Kimbal Musk criticized the U.S. leader’s approach to foreign trade. “Who would have thought that Trump would impose the highest taxes in a generation? His tariff strategy has created a constant structural tax on American consumers,” he wrote. Kimbal Musk’s net worth, estimated at around $700 million, gives him weight in economic discussions. Most of his wealth is tied to his ownership of Tesla shares (about 0.04%), a company led by his brother Elon Musk.

Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Portrait of Elon Musk’s Brother

Kimbal Musk and his older brother Elon (53) share many traits. Both were born in Pretoria, have similar square jaws, straight noses, and green eyes. They are simultaneously South African, Canadian, and American by origin. However, there are clear differences between them. While Elon is known for his innovations in electric vehicles and space technology (co-founder of OpenAI), Kimbal Musk has chosen a calmer lifestyle, though no less successful. His personal style is recognizable — Kimbal almost always wears a cowboy hat, which has become his signature.

From Family Hardships to Financial Success

The Musk family’s story did not begin in a privileged environment. Kimbal Musk, his brother Elon, and sister Tosca (50), the youngest in the family, experienced violence from their father. This forced their mother, May (76), to make the difficult decision to divorce in 1979. After the family split, they moved to Canada, and then to the U.S., where both brothers decided to start their first joint business project.

Zip2 and the First Major Success: How the Musk Brothers Began Their Entrepreneurial Journey

Together, Kimbal Musk and Elon founded Zip2, a startup specializing in developing business software for the internet. The startup was successful, and in 1999, the company was sold to Compaq for $307 million. This deal marked the brothers’ first major financial achievement and launched their careers as wealthy entrepreneurs. Afterward, their paths diverged — Elon focused on his ambitious projects, while Kimbal Musk continued to develop his investments and business interests.