Warren Buffett’s Trillion-Dollar Tesla Takeover Is An April Fools’ Joke

On April 1, 2025, a satirical article claiming that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway had acquired Tesla for a staggering $1 trillion quickly became a trending topic across social media and news outlets. The piece, published by GoBankingRates, humorously suggested that Buffett had a change of heart regarding technology investments, stating, "While I’ve publicly maintained that I don’t understand tech companies, I’ve secretly been driving a Cybertruck around my Nebraska neighborhood at night." The article also claimed that Elon Musk would assume the role of Tesla’s "chief meme officer" while maintaining his position as CEO.

This prank came in the spirit of April Fools' Day, a time when brands, celebrities, and even government accounts engage in playful hoaxes. While many enjoyed the humor, others were left scratching their heads, questioning the authenticity of the news. The joke was amplified by the fact that it followed Buffett’s recent comments in his annual letter, where he expressed difficulty in finding attractive large acquisitions.

Buffett’s fictional acquisition of Tesla was described as the largest in business history, surpassing Vodafone’s $203 billion purchase of Mannesmann in 2000. The article further claimed that Buffett, known for his conservative investment strategies, had been keeping the funds for this massive deal in a shoebox under his bed. Financial analysts and investors were left baffled by the absurdity of the claim, given Buffett's historical aversion to tech stocks and electric vehicles.

Amidst the humor, the article highlighted Musk's supposed acceptance of the role, with a cheeky quote from him stating, "Warren promised me I could still tweet whatever I want. Plus, he’s giving me unlimited Cherry Coke and See’s Candies. Have you tried those peanut brittle things? Love those little guys!" This playful banter between two of the most influential figures in business was enough to draw attention, even if it was all in jest.

As the day unfolded, social media was flooded with reactions from users who either found the joke amusing or expressed disbelief at the idea of Buffett investing in Tesla. One user noted, "I’m so gullible! Almost went full freak-out mode," while another remarked, "This is the dumbest s**t I've ever read." The article's disclaimer, which read, "APRIL FOOLS! This article is entirely satirical and was published on April 1, 2025. Warren Buffett has not acquired Tesla, and all quotes and information in this piece are fictional," was often missed by those who shared the headline in disbelief.

In addition to the Buffett-Tesla prank, other notable April Fools' jokes included Tiger Woods joking on X (formerly Twitter) that he was ready to play in the Masters after a ruptured Achilles, only to clarify later that it was an April Fools' joke. Woods humorously stated, "P.S. April Fools my Achilles is still a mess," acknowledging the ongoing challenges of his recovery.

Another hoax involved the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was humorously reported to be giving away $1 million stimulus checks to every Republican in the U.S. This outlandish claim was met with skepticism, especially since only $35 billion of the supposed $140 billion in savings claimed by DOGE was itemized on their website.

New Jersey’s official Instagram account also joined in on the fun, announcing plans to build "Mount Jonas," a replica of Mount Rushmore featuring the faces of the Jonas Brothers. Kevin Jonas jokingly approved the message, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere of the day.

Additionally, GoBankingRates falsely claimed that Musk was giving away free Teslas to all 535 members of Congress, a rumor that was quickly dispelled as many public figures began to distance themselves from Tesla amid ongoing controversies surrounding Musk’s leadership.

In a particularly amusing prank, New York City’s official Instagram account announced a new rule limiting walking speed to just 1 mph across the city, suggesting it would decrease pedestrian-on-tourist collisions and improve New Yorkers’ mental wellbeing. The absurdity of the proposal was not lost on the public, who recognized it as an April Fools' joke.

As the day concluded, it was clear that April Fools' Day had once again provided a platform for creativity and humor, with pranks ranging from the ridiculous to the clever. While some individuals took the jokes at face value, many others relished the chance to share a laugh and enjoy the playful spirit of the day.

In the end, the myriad of pranks served as a reminder of the importance of skepticism in the age of information overload. As social media continues to shape how news is consumed, it’s crucial for individuals to verify what they read before reacting. After all, if it sounds too good (or too strange) to be true, it probably is.