In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk is set to make his debut at the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. According to a Bloomberg report, the tech billionaire has been confirmed as a last-minute addition to the afternoon session on January 22, 2026, where he will engage in conversation with BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink.
First Appearance After Years of Criticism
Notably, this marks the first time Musk will participate in the WEF annual gathering, following years of vocal criticism and counter-remarks directed at the organizers of what he has previously described as an event for wealthy elites. A Business Insider report quotes a WEF spokesperson who confirmed Musk's attendance, adding that the forum boasts "an outstanding tech delegation attending this year's meeting — companies and individuals who are shaping the future of their industries."
Flight Data Indicates Travel to Davos
Further evidence of Musk's participation comes from flight tracking data. The report cites information from ADS-B Exchange showing that Musk's private jet, a Gulfstream G650, departed from San Jose International Airport on the evening of January 21 local time and was traveling eastward toward Europe. Musk himself has not yet publicly commented on his upcoming appearance at the forum.
Last-Minute Schedule Addition
As per various reports, Elon Musk was not initially expected to attend the global economic event in Davos this year. However, in a significant development occurring just one day after US President Donald Trump addressed the gathering, the Tesla and SpaceX chief has now been officially added to the WEF schedule. The updated program clearly lists Musk as a participant, representing a notable late change to the event's prestigious lineup.
Historical Skepticism Toward WEF
Musk's upcoming appearance represents a dramatic shift from his previous stance toward the World Economic Forum. In a memorable X (formerly Twitter) post from 2023, the Tesla CEO openly questioned the forum's purpose, writing "How is WEF/Davos even a thing?" while responding to a video of Klaus Schwab's opening speech at that year's event. He further added, "Are they trying to be the boss of Earth!?"
The tech magnate has previously declined invitations to Davos, most notably in 2022 when he described the event as "boring AF." In his characteristic style, Musk explained his refusal at the time, stating, "My reason for declining the Davos invitation was not because I thought they were engaged in diabolical scheming, but because it sounded boring af lol."
Significance of Musk's Participation
Elon Musk's unexpected participation in the World Economic Forum represents a significant development in the relationship between one of the world's most influential tech entrepreneurs and the premier global economic gathering. His conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who leads the world's largest asset management firm, promises to be one of the most anticipated sessions of the 2026 forum, bringing together two powerful figures from the technology and finance sectors.
The timing of Musk's appearance, following President Trump's address and occurring after years of public skepticism toward the forum, adds layers of intrigue to this development. Observers will be watching closely to see how Musk engages with the WEF platform that he has previously criticized, and what messages he chooses to deliver to the global economic elite gathered in Davos.
