Elon Musk's prediction that World War 3 is inevitable has resurfaced as tensions escalate in the Middle East following President Donald Trump's announcement of US military collaboration with Israel against Iran. The SpaceX CEO, who previously led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), warned in a re-emerged interview clip that humanity faces a race between becoming a multi-planet species and a third world war.
“You know at some point there's going to be a third world war and, after WW3, who knows what's left after WW3? So, there's arguably this race between do we become a multi-planet species or WW3? Which one is first? If WW3 is first, then maybe we never get to another planet,” Musk said in the clip circulated by Mind Reflex.
Social media users reacted with alarm, with one commenting: “Multi-planets sound better. Let's do that, leave wars, no one got time for that.” Another said: “WW3 will be the last ever war.” A third added: “There is no WW3. It's the end of humanity.”
A map has surfaced showing military operations by the US, Israel and Iran up to Monday morning. Red markers indicate casualties in Iranian territory from US and Israeli strikes, while yellow markers show Iranian attacks and casualties in regions including Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain.
Musk's relationship with Trump has seen ups and downs. In June 2025, Trump reportedly declared their relationship “over”, though they were later photographed shaking hands. Trump previously praised Musk as “one of our great geniuses” and backed his DOGE initiative, which claimed $205 billion in savings but reportedly cost $21.7 billion.
