Elon Musk makes surprise touchdown in small B.C. town

A quaint town in British Columbia is abuzz with excitement after the unexpected visit of the world’s wealthiest man over the weekend. Elon Musk, the CEO of X and Tesla, touched down in Bella Bella on B.C.’s Central Coast in a small private aircraft before being whisked away by helicopter. His brief visit has left the fishing community of approximately 1,500 residents in the Great Bear Rainforest abuzz with chatter.

Local resident Seán Carter shared that while the town is accustomed to seeing celebrities and affluent individuals passing through to take advantage of the recreational offerings in the area, Musk’s visit was on a whole other level. “It’s not every day that the richest man in the world comes through our town. This is definitely going to be a tough one to beat,” Carter remarked.

Speculation suggests that Musk may have been en route to a property owned by James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, located off the B.C. coast. Murdoch, a board member of Tesla, shares a love for the region and has been known to frequent the area for recreational purposes.

Interestingly, Musk holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, Maye Musk, who hails from Regina. He spent his teenage years in Canada, residing and working in Saskatchewan and Vancouver before pursuing studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. While Musk’s ties to Canada have been the subject of debate, including a petition urging the government to revoke his citizenship due to his ties to the Trump administration, his presence in Bella Bella sparked discussions about his political affiliations.

Despite the controversies surrounding Musk, his visit to Bella Bella was a hot topic of conversation among locals. Even though he arrived and departed in a private jet, Musk did not receive any special treatment at the small-town airport. According to Carter, the airport was bustling with activity, requiring Musk to traverse a considerable distance on foot between the plane and helicopter.

Regardless of one’s opinions on Musk, his visit to Bella Bella left a lasting impression on the community. As Carter noted, “No matter what your opinions are of the guy, it was something to follow.” Despite any political differences, the town came together to witness the arrival and departure of the billionaire, emphasizing that there are no secrets in a close-knit community like Bella Bella.