Grimes defended Elon Musk’s gaming skills, calling him passionate and strategic

Elon Musk, renowned CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, recently found himself under public scrutiny, not for his innovations but for his gaming prowess, particularly in Path of Exile 2.

Questions about the legitimacy of Musk’s in-game accomplishments emerged after a livestream on January 7, 2025, where he struggled with basic game mechanics, raising doubts about his reported top-tier ranking.

Viewers of the stream noticed Musk appeared unfamiliar with essential gameplay elements like mana management and looting.

Despite his claim of having a character ranked ninth globally in the game’s “hardcore” mode, his actions during the livestream suggested otherwise. Critics noted he overlooked key items and strategies integral to high-level gameplay, fueling skepticism about his achievements.

Musician Grimes, Musk’s former partner and mother of three of his children, quickly came to his defense. On January 18, 2025, Grimes posted on X (formerly Twitter) to highlight Musk’s previous gaming accolades.

“For my personal pride,” she wrote, “I want to share that the father of my children was the first American druid in Diablo 4 to conquer the Abattoir of Zir and finished that season as the top player in the USA.”

She also cited his success in The Battle of Polytopia, where Musk reportedly defeated the game’s creator, Felix af Ekenstam. Grimes asserted that these feats were well-documented and personally witnessed by her.

Musk responded to Grimes’ post with a simple “Thanks,” acknowledging her public support amidst the ongoing backlash.

Prominent gaming personalities were less forgiving. Influencer MoistCr1tikal, also known as Charlie, criticized Musk’s performance, saying, “This is so clownish. He doesn’t understand how the game works.

Interestingly, while Grimes defended Musk’s accomplishments in other games, she partially agreed with critics regarding his Path of Exile 2 performance. Responding to a fan’s comment about the doubts being reasonable, she replied, “I agree.”

Musk has always been vocal about his passion for gaming, often describing it as a way to relax. In an interview with Lex Fridman, he mentioned, “Playing video games has a calming effect on my mind. Confronting virtual challenges helps ease the turbulence in my thoughts.” He has often emphasized how gaming helps him achieve a state of flow.

Despite the controversy, Musk’s enthusiasm for video games remains evident, as does the support of those close to him. Whether his Path of Exile 2 achievements stand up to scrutiny or not, his commitment to the gaming world and its culture is undeniable.