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147.3 Million Troy Ounces at Fort Knox: Musk & Trump Demand Real-Time Transparency on $459B Reserve

Since 1937, Fort Knox has protected America's wealth—but now Elon Musk's call for a live video tour and Donald Trump's promise of a full inspection, backed by conservative lawmakers, have subjected the vault to intense examination.

April 2, 2025

Summary

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Elon Musk has repeatedly used social media, insisting that every ounce of America’s gold be showcased in a live broadcast from Fort Knox.
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Trump is doubling down on his demand, declaring from the White House that his team is ready to inspect every nook and cranny to ensure nothing goes missing.
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Treasury officials say that annual audits verify all 147.3 million troy ounces of gold remain securely stored.
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Experts argue that while symbolic, a live tour could substantially alleviate deeply entrenched public suspicion during these volatile economic times.

Since 1937, Fort Knox has protected America's gold and even safeguarded priceless historical documents during World War II. Today, the vault finds itself under renewed scrutiny as Elon Musk and Donald Trump call for an unprecedented level of transparency.

Musk, known for his blunt communication on X, has argued for weeks that a live video tour of Fort Knox would be very helpful to dispel persistent conspiracy theories about mismanagement or missing assets. Trump, echoing that demand, stated unequivocally from the White House that his administration is prepared to inspect every corner of the vault — making it clear that any disappearance of gold would lead to immediate and severe consequences.

At Fort Knox in Kentucky, 147.3 million troy ounces of gold bullion are securely maintained. Official records estimate its book value at about $6.2 billion, yet its market value is an astonishing $459 billion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, upholding the meticulous annual audits—a position also supported by former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin during his rare 2017 walkthrough—confidently asserts that every ounce is accounted for. However, public skepticism persists.

For Musk and Trump, this move is far more than a publicity stunt. Musk sees opening the vault as a powerful stand against government inefficiency, while Trump is prepared to impose strict measures should any discrepancies emerge. Treasury officials and former executives emphasize that the vault’s strict no-visitors policy exists for important reasons. Historically, the facility has been opened only on rare occasions—during 1943 in World War II, in 1974, and a few other select events—ensuring that only minimal amounts of gold are removed for scheduled purity tests under stringent audit conditions.

The push for transparency also finds support from lawmakers from the conservative party. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, among others, has backed a full and unrestricted inspection of the reserves, reflecting longstanding concerns over government financial management amid rising national debt and inflation worries.

With gold prices surging and economic pressures mounting, Fort Knox’s role in protecting American wealth is more important than ever. Critics argue that a live audit is essential for restoring public trust in these uncertain economic times.

Beyond the immediate spotlight, the call for a live inspection has ignited a broader debate over the need for more open management of government assets. Both Musk and Trump, staunch critics of bureaucratic secrecy and alleged corruption, contend that transparency is absolutely necessary when the nation’s wealth is at stake.

Even as Treasury Secretary Bessent and other officials stand by the integrity of their annual audits, the insistence on a live inspection underscores a growing demand for increased accountability in government financial management. In an era marked by soaring gold prices and intensified public oversight, the message remains clear: transparency is essential for protecting America's wealth.