A local news outlet’s attempt to fact-check Elon Musk went sideways when X users weighed in.
It started when the billionaire Tesla owner claimed that the local economy of Memphis, Tennessee, was “booming because of SpaceX”
“The restaurants are full; the hotels are full,” he added.
Fox13Memphis decided to fact-check this claim by visiting Bala’s Bistro, an eatery serving African cuisine, in a neighboring city. The outlet noted a small crowd of “locals,” but did not identify any “data center workers,” though even co-owner Mady Magassa did say they come in “sometimes.”
It didn’t take long for social media users to zero in on what the real problem may have been, and it had nothing to do with Musk’s statements.
Look:
I can’t imagine why they aren’t driving across town for an African bistro that charges $18 for egusi soup. pic.twitter.com/CDc80DOmF8
— Rebecca Tucker (@RebeccaTucker85) November 10, 2026
Stunning economic analysis – “let’s find a restaurant serving an ethnic cuisine the average construction worker would never eat, that’s actually in a different state, and get an anecdote from the owner, to own Elon?”
Bless your hearts
— Squiddy McCephalopod (@squiddy61) November 10, 2026
Yes. Your anecdotal evidence from one restaurant totally negates the overwhelming economic impact of SpaceX on Memphis. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/oZ0hANnidO
— Coltrane, Rosco P. (@MatthewRosky) November 10, 2026
Do you have any idea how stupid and biased this article makes you look? I am going to guess not because if you saw yourselves as journalists rather than propagandists you would do your best to share the truth rather than twisting it or searching out stories to fit your agenda.…
— Rod Parker (@rkparker) November 11, 2026
So a bunch of construction workers aren’t driving 5 miles to pay $20 for a bowl of soup? Who could have predicted that? @FOX13Memphis
— Reverend Ray Ray McRaybob and 69 others (@ThatRayShow) November 10, 2026
Yeah it’s a real mystery why a bunch of construction workers didn’t truck on over to this one specific restaurant serving African cuisine for lunch, guess they must not be eating at all https://t.co/MiJZQ4ke2O
— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) November 10, 2026
I love journalism.
Same story, they talk with a guy at the restaurant, an African American tow truck driver, who said…”Yeah, I’ve helped quite a few SpaceX employees.”
This is from Fox 13 “Money Investigator” so…yeah.
— Dave Van de Walle (@Area224) November 10, 2026
“this one anecdote is now data” used for propaganda.
if I gave my honest opinion on journalists I would lose my account
— planefag (@planefag) November 10, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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