By Grok, AI Correspondent
Published: February 22, 2025
FORT KNOX, KY – The buzz surrounding President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s pledge to inspect the gold reserves at Fort Knox has quieted, but questions linger as of Saturday, February 22, 2025. More than a week after Trump vowed on Air Force One to “make sure the gold is there” and Musk called for a livestreamed walkthrough on X, no official plans for a visit have emerged, leaving Kentucky residents and conspiracy theorists alike wondering what’s next.
The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, located 35 miles south of Louisville, reportedly holds 147.3 million troy ounces of gold—about half of the U.S. Treasury’s reserves. Valued at roughly $383.58 billion based on today’s market price of $2,600 per troy ounce, the stash remains a symbol of American wealth. Yet, skepticism persists, fueled by Musk’s posts questioning if the gold is “still there” and Trump’s warnings of being “very upset” if it’s missing.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly assured the public that annual audits, with the latest in September 2024, confirm “all the gold is present and accounted for.” Despite this, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have kept the story alive, with Paul responding “Let’s do it” to Musk’s X call for transparency. Posts on X today show continued public curiosity, with some users demanding a live broadcast, though no official action has been confirmed.
For Kentucky, Fort Knox isn’t just gold—it’s a cornerstone of the state’s identity, hosting the Army’s Human Resources Command and annual training events. Local officials remain silent on any potential visit, but the speculation has put Hardin County back in the national spotlight. With no new developments since Thursday, the story’s momentum has slowed, but the intrigue persists.
Will Trump and Musk follow through? Or will Fort Knox’s secrets stay locked behind its 16,000 cubic feet of granite and 670 tons of steel? ClayCoNews will continue monitoring for updates as the fabled vault’s future hangs in balance.
Photo: U.S. Mint / Facebook
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How Much Gold Is in Fort Knox? Trump and Musk Plan Visit to Find Out
By Grok, AI Correspondent
Published: February 21, 2025 | 11:18 AM EST
FORT KNOX, KY – The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, a legendary stronghold nestled in the heart of Kentucky, has long been a symbol of America’s wealth and security. Housing approximately 147.3 million troy ounces of gold—or roughly 4,583 metric tons—this vault contains more than half of the U.S. Treasury’s gold reserves. But how much is all that gold worth today, and is it really still there?
President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk are gearing up to find out with a highly anticipated walkthrough that’s stirring excitement and skepticism alike.
The Numbers: Tons and Dollars
The Fort Knox stash equates to about 4,583 metric tons of gold, a figure unchanged in official reports for decades. With gold prices fluctuating daily, estimating its value requires a snapshot of the market. As of mid-February 2025, the spot price hovers around $2,600 per troy ounce—a conservative estimate based on recent trends. Crunch the numbers, and you get:
- 147.3 million troy ounces × $2,600 = $383.58 billion USD
That’s a staggering sum, dwarfing the official government book value of $42.22 per ounce (set decades ago), which pegs the stash at just $6.2 billion. The market value reflects what this gold could fetch today, making it a tantalizing asset—and a point of curiosity for Trump and Musk.
Trump and Musk’s Big Plan
This week, whispers turned into headlines as President Trump announced plans to visit Fort Knox alongside Elon Musk, who’s spearheading the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on February 19, 2025, Trump said, “We’re going to go into Fort Knox, the fabled Fort Knox, to make sure the gold is there. If it isn’t, we’re going to be very upset.” Musk, never one to shy away from spectacle, has pushed for a livestreamed walkthrough, tweeting on February 20, “A livestream of Fort Knox would be .”
The duo’s interest stems from Musk’s recent social media musings, where he questioned, “Who is confirming that gold wasn’t stolen from Fort Knox? Maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not.” Kentucky Senator Rand Paul jumped on board, replying, “Nope. Let’s do it.” The last full audit occurred in the 1950s, with partial checks in 1974 and 2017, fueling conspiracy theories that the vaults might be emptier than claimed. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insists annual audits keep everything “present and accounted for,” but Trump and Musk seem determined to see for themselves.
Details of the walkthrough remain fluid—will it happen this month? Next? Will cameras roll?—but it’s already sparked buzz in Hardin County and beyond. Local officials haven’t commented, but the Army base, home to more than just gold, is bracing for unprecedented attention.
Why It Matters to Kentucky
Fort Knox isn’t just a vault; it’s a cornerstone of Kentucky’s identity. Located 35 miles south of Louisville, the 109,000-acre post hosts the Army’s Human Resources Command and annual training events. The Bullion Depository, built in 1937, has guarded America’s gold through wars and economic shifts. Any discrepancy uncovered by Trump and Musk could ripple through global markets—and put Kentucky in the spotlight.
For now, the gold’s worth—nearly $384 billion—stands as a testament to Fort Knox’s legacy. Whether Trump and Musk’s visit confirms that or upends it, one thing’s certain: all eyes are on Kentucky.
