Elon Musk Reportedly Evicted from Luxury Hotel—Then SpaceX Buys It Minutes Later

In a saga that feels more like a scene from a high-stakes drama than real life, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has once again captured headlines. On May 7, 2025, Musk was allegedly escorted out of the historic Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan by security staff. But in a twist that stunned social media and business observers alike, SpaceX—the aerospace company Musk founded—reportedly purchased the same property less than two minutes later.

The bizarre turn of events has ignited fierce debate over Musk’s motivations, the scale of his influence, and the increasing entanglement of personal power with corporate might. Though official statements remain sparse, the incident offers a window into the unpredictable world of one of the most polarizing figures in modern business and politics.

The Incident: From Eviction to Acquisition

According to several viral posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk was staying at the Roosevelt while in New York for meetings connected to his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new federal entity under President Donald Trump’s second administration. The Roosevelt Hotel—a storied 1920s landmark owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)—has recently come under fire after Musk’s DOGE team exposed that FEMA allocated $59 million in taxpayer funds to house undocumented migrants in upscale accommodations, including the Roosevelt.

Witnesses on X claim Musk had been vocally critical of the Roosevelt’s involvement, accusing the hotel of profiting from government waste. Reports suggest tensions reached a breaking point when hotel security forcibly removed Musk from the premises—an act some speculate was meant to minimize further political scrutiny or to respond to disruptive behavior. No formal comment has been issued by the hotel, and Musk himself has remained silent.

But if the hotel thought the matter ended there, they were wrong.

Within moments of being removed, Musk allegedly contacted his financial team at SpaceX and greenlit a deal to purchase the entire property. Multiple users on X posted screenshots and commentary claiming the transaction was completed in just under two minutes—a feat seemingly impossible, but more believable when backed by the weight of Musk’s vast fortune and SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation.

A New Chapter for the Roosevelt Hotel?

The Roosevelt Hotel is no ordinary property. Built in 1924 and named after President Theodore Roosevelt, it has hosted countless dignitaries, movie stars, and business leaders over its century-long life. Its grand lobby, art-deco flourishes, and marble detailing make it one of New York City’s most iconic hotels.

For years, PIA used the property both as a source of revenue and a soft-power asset in the U.S. hospitality market. But with mounting controversies and financial woes back home, the airline may have found Musk’s cash offer too good—and too fast—to pass up.

Whether SpaceX intends to operate the hotel as-is or reimagine it remains unclear. Some speculate the building will become a hybrid innovation campus, luxury guesthouse for visiting engineers, or even a showroom for SpaceX’s cutting-edge technologies.

Musk’s Motivation: Impulse or Strategy?

The sheer speed of the acquisition has fueled rampant speculation. Was this a calculated business move? Or simply an impulsive act of revenge from a billionaire who felt disrespected?

Musk is no stranger to responding to perceived slights with dramatic gestures. In 2022, he temporarily suspended journalists from X after clashing over tracking his private jet. He’s also made waves for launching Tesla products on short notice, firing executives in real-time, and live-tweeting billion-dollar decisions.

Critics argue that if SpaceX used company funds to settle a personal score, it could raise legal and ethical questions—even for a privately held firm. Supporters, however, see it as another bold move from a man unafraid to disrupt not just industries but the power dynamics that underpin them.

Public Reaction: Cheers and Condemnation

Online reactions have been predictably split. Musk’s loyal fanbase erupted with admiration, calling the incident a “boss move” and applauding his ability to turn embarrassment into opportunity. “Get kicked out of a hotel, then own it? That’s billionaire energy,” wrote one user.

On the flip side, critics condemned the act as an egregious display of unchecked wealth and ego. “This isn’t inspiring—it’s dystopian,” posted another, highlighting the troubling optics of a man buying a $250 million hotel out of spite, while housing crises and income inequality rage across the country.

The fact that the Roosevelt had recently served as emergency housing for migrants only added fuel to the fire. Observers pointed out the irony of Musk first blasting the hotel for sheltering the needy—then swooping in to buy it, ostensibly to end that practice.

A Larger Conversation About Power

Beyond the theatrics, the incident speaks to a deeper conversation about modern capitalism and the role of tech billionaires in shaping public life.

With Musk holding vast influence across industries—automotive (Tesla), aerospace (SpaceX), social media (X), and even neural technology (Neuralink)—his decisions often transcend business and bleed into political, social, and cultural arenas.

Can one man, even one as brilliant and innovative as Musk, be allowed to wield such unrestrained influence? Or does this incident represent a need for greater checks and balances in how private wealth interacts with public infrastructure?

Is It Even Real?

One lingering question remains: did this even happen exactly as described?

To date, no verified property transfer for the Roosevelt Hotel has appeared in public records. Neither SpaceX nor PIA has confirmed the sale. The two-minute timeline, while sensational, also strains credulity given the complexity of real estate deals in New York.

Still, Musk’s silence—and the viral nature of the story—has allowed it to flourish. Whether fully accurate or embellished, the narrative fits a familiar mold: Musk as the unpredictable disruptor, unbound by conventional rules and expectations.