Elon Musk and Xavier Niel clash over disputed Paris encounter

French entrepreneur Xavier Niel promoted his one‑man show “Comment devenir milliardaire” on Canal+ in July 2027, claiming he had met Elon Musk in the catacombs of Paris. Musk replied on his social‑media platform X, saying he had no idea who Niel was, prompting a public dispute.

Niel responded by publishing emails dated February 2014 that he said proved a past contact with Musk, while recalling a previous feud in February 2025 where Niel called Musk “the greatest entrepreneur in the world” and Musk retorted with a personal insult. The exchange has resurfaced online as a meme, but the authenticity of the 2014 messages remains unverified.