Fact Check: Has Elon Musk urged the United States to bring back mental asylums?

WASHINGTON, DC: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has frequently commented on mental health issues, often highlighting what he sees as failures in the current US system for handling severe mental illness.

Recently, a rumor circulated online claiming that Elon Musk urged the United States to bring back mental asylums. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Elon Musk urged the US to bring back mental asylums

Several social media posts in mid-February came up with claims that Elon Musk urged the United States to bring back mental asylums.

An X post read, "Elon Musk urges the United States to bring back mental asylums. 'Make Asylums Great Again'." 

Similarly, another X account posted, "This should be the most viral post in America today, Elon Musk 'Make Asylums Great Again!' We have a mental health crisis in America. It’s an out of control epidemic and we must address it." 

Another X user mentioned, "Elon Musk calls to “Make Asylums Great Again!” after transgender shooter opened fire at a hockey game in Rhode Island. Musk and prominent conservatives have been calling for the reintroduction of mental asylums amid the spike in trans mass shooters."

"Just now: Elon Musk recently called for the reopening or bringing back mental asylums in the US," another X post read.

Fact Check: True, Elon Musk commented on an X post

The claim in X posts that Elon Musk urged the US to bring back mental asylums with the phrase "Make Asylums Great Again" is true. 

On Tuesday, February 17, the SpaceX CEO replied to an X post from @Breaking911, which was later removed, about a Rhode Island incident involving a transgender shooter. Elon Musk wrote, "@Breaking911 Make Asylums Great Again!" 

His comment echoes his earlier comments on mental health, such as "Bring asylums back" in April 2025 and the same slogan in March 2025 in response to unrelated topics he deemed irrational.

Moreover, he shared an X post from @BRICSinfo that read, "JUST IN: Elon Musk calls to bring back insane asylums in the United States" and wrote in the caption, "Seriously".

The Tesla CEO's remark seems tied to his views on addressing severe mental illness amid rising concerns over homelessness, crime, and societal issues. In the past, he has advocated for reformed institutions instead of the abusive ones, though critics see it as regressive.

The claims made in the online posts are true, though the topic remains controversial due to the complex history of asylums in the US.