Elon Musk faced criticism in early 2025 following military service cuts as part of his DOGE agency, reigniting discussions regarding his past as a “draft dodger”. Musk has confirmed that he left South Africa, partially to avoid compulsory military service during apartheid. His lack of academic success at the University of Pretoria is often overlooked in his personal stories.
In early 2025, Elon Musk, a prominent advisor to former President Trump, faced criticism following the implementation of cuts to the Veterans Affairs agency by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This led to significant disruption and dissatisfaction among military veterans, prompting discussions surrounding Musk’s past as a so-called “draft dodger” due to his avoidance of military service in South Africa.
An X user referenced the sentiments of Grok, an AI chatbot, emphasizing Musk’s categorization as a draft dodger while sharing a personal account of their brother’s imprisonment in South Africa for opposing military conscription during apartheid. Musk has openly stated such avoidance was part of his decision to leave South Africa, indicating that he would not fight for an apartheid state. This assertion has been deemed accurate.
In a notable 2013 interview with actor Rainn Wilson, Musk confirmed that he departed South Africa at the age of 17, at least in part to evade military conscription. During this exchange, Musk articulated his disfavor towards participating in military actions that suppressed Black individuals, framing it as an unworthy endeavor.
In journalist Ashlee Vance’s 2015 biography, “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future,” Musk’s motivations for leaving the country are discussed. Vance reveals Musk expressed two primary reasons: a rush to reach the United States and a desire to skip military service due to its association with the apartheid regime. However, Musk’s brief attendance at the University of Pretoria, where he underperformed academically while waiting for Canadian documentation, is seldom mentioned in his narratives about fleeing.
Historically, from 1967 until the end of apartheid in the 1990s, South Africa mandated compulsory military service for white males. Initially set at nine months, this duration was extended to two years, requiring participation from young men entering adulthood. Musk departed South Africa for Canada in 1989, partially due to this military obligation.
Elon Musk’s past regarding military service avoidance surfaces in discussions about his current actions as an advisor. He openly acknowledges leaving South Africa to escape conscription, thus influencing perceptions of his character amidst military-related policy changes he instigated. While discussing his upbringing, Musk often omits his lackluster academic efforts at the University of Pretoria, a fact that contrasts with his adventurous youth narrative.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
