A top doctor has raised concerns about Elon Musk’s health after the billionaire showed apparent signs of ‘rapid aging.’
Musk, 54, looked old, tired and drained during his eighth appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience released on Friday.
Dr Stuart Fischer a New York-based physician, told the Mail: ‘Even at the Republican National Convention in July 2024, he was fresher-faced compared to now.
‘The exposure, the stress, and the controversy appear to have aged him physically and emotionally.’
Dr Fischer, who did not examine or treat Musk, added that rapid aging doesn’t just show on the face, ‘It puts you at risk of heart attacks and strokes.’
He added: ‘Being stressed all the time floods the body with cortisol and adrenaline, which accelerates wear and tear on the heart and makes blood clots more likely.
‘Chronic stress also reduces nutrient absorption, so essential vitamins and antioxidants aren’t used effectively, causing the ‘rusting: of cells.
‘Poor sleep and eating poorly when you’re stressed only make it worse.’
Elon Musk, 54, looked visibly older during his latest appearance on Rogan’s show this week
He was far more boyish and awkward when he sat down with Rogan in 2020
High levels of stress hormones break down collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness, elasticity, and smooth texture.
This can lead to skin becoming dull, saggy and loose, dark circles appear and wrinkles form faster.
Being stressed out also makes it more difficult to sleep, compounding the effects.
It also takes a toll on the brain.
Elevated cortisol and fatigue physically shrink the hippocampus, the part of the brain critical for memory, and impair neural connections, making it harder to focus, retain information, and process emotions.
Over time, this cognitive strain can make someone appear mentally exhausted, forgetful, and less sharp — adding to the overall impression of someone ailing.
Stamina did not seem an issue for Musk during his three-hour podcast session with Rogan, but his signature awkward pauses seemed more labored.
Dr Fischer said: ‘It’s the stress. I don’t think he was ready for the overwhelming stress of winding up in the middle of international politics over the past few years.
Musk today vs his debut back in 2018
‘Even local politics is stressful enough but the divisiveness on the national and international level is different.
‘People who used to love him are now deeply upset with him, it’s very draining, and he’s got his companies to run at the same time.’
Once celebrated by the left as a visionary of clean energy, Musk was a self‑described Democrat who cast his 2020 vote for Joe Biden.
But his political orientation shifted radically after his 2022 acquisition of Twitter, which he rebranded ‘X’.
By mid‑2024 a much larger share of his social‑media output focused on conservative causes and by early 2025 he was a Republican government insider.
Dubbed the ‘First Buddy,’ Musk was appointed to lead the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial initiative aimed at slashing federal agencies.
