Tech titan Elon Musk has publicly disclosed his use of the weight-loss medication Mounjaro, sparking widespread social media reactions to his noticeably slimmer appearance in a festive Christmas photo.
The billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X shared a photograph of himself donning a Santa Claus costume, complete with a flowing white beard.
“Ozempic Santa,” Musk playfully captioned the image. He later clarified in the thread, “Like Cocaine Bear, but Santa and Ozempic!” before adding, “Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.”
Social media response
The transformation drew immediate attention from X users, who were quick to comment on Musk’s physical transformation. “Damn you’ve shed a lot of pounds,” noted one user, while another observed, “You can definitely fit down my chimney. You look great, Elon!” The post generated numerous supportive comments, with users expressing surprise and approval of his weight loss journey.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 inhibitors, similar to the widely discussed Ozempic. Originally developed for treating type 2 diabetes, these medications help regulate blood glucose and insulin levels.
According to Healthline research, “Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Both drugs can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Studies have not specifically compared Mounjaro with Ozempic when they’re used for weight loss. However one study did compare the effects of Mounjaro and Ozempic on body weight when used to treat type 2 diabetes. In this study, people using Mounjaro lost more weight than people using Ozempic.”
Controversy and public health debate
Musk’s advocacy for GLP-1 inhibitors as a solution to obesity stands in contrast to alternative viewpoints, including that of Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who advocates for dietary changes as a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to weight management. This ongoing debate reflects broader discussions about approaches to addressing America’s obesity epidemic.