The anticipated cage match between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains in limbo, but if it takes place, it could redefine the notion of “tech bro.” Historically, the ventures of these two billionaires have frequently intersected with conflict. Notably, a SpaceX rocket test conducted by Musk in 2016 resulted in the destruction of Zuckerberg’s satellite, valued at USD 200 million. More recently, Musk has criticized Zuckerberg’s dominance in social media, urging users to leave Meta-owned Facebook, while Meta has introduced Threads, which directly competes with Musk’s platform X, previously known as Twitter.
The prospect of a physical showdown signifies an unusual avenue for competition. Initial speculation even suggested that the fight could be held in the historic Colosseum in Rome, echoing its iconic history of gladiatorial combat.
The motivation behind Musk and Zuckerberg’s proposed contest highlights deeper societal issues surrounding masculinity. While they present their potential clash as a unique spectacle, they are not isolated in their display of physical prowess. Many prominent men in positions of authority have similarly engaged in exhibitions of strength to reinforce their status.
As a scholar of gender studies, I observe that such “performances of virility” commonly arise during times perceived as crises for masculinity. The notion that wealth cannot substitute for traditional expressions of manhood underpins the peculiar nature of this rivalry. According to sociologist Scott Melzer, who explores male engagement in fight clubs, combative encounters are culturally linked to masculinity and are often celebrated within specific contexts of U.S. culture.
Melzer argues that for affluent white men, engaging in physical confrontation can serve as a rite of passage reaffirming their perceived strength and masculinity, despite their typically refined appearance. The rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg presents itself as a desperate attempt at asserting masculinity for two affluent figures known more for their intellect than their physicality.
Kris Paap, author of “Working Construction,” highlights how men who shirk risks are often labeled as weak, while those willing to endanger their well-being earn respect. This dynamic is prevalent among working-class men, but it also permeates the political arena, where politicians have staged fights to build admiration and power through displays of physical capability.
In a notable example, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced off against Senator Patrick Brazeau in a boxing match in 2012. Trudeau, who comes from a privileged background, claimed before the fight that he was destined for such challenges and after his victory, his image transformed significantly, propelling him into higher political office three years later.
Other instances abound, with figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin capturing attention for his shirtless horseback riding, while U.S. President Joe Biden has claimed that he would have physically confronted Donald Trump during their high school years.
Throughout American history, public displays of masculinity have played roles in political campaigns, from the likes of William Henry Harrison to Donald Trump. The current fascination with the confrontation between Musk and Zuckerberg coincides with growing concerns about a perceived masculinity crisis. Reports reveal that women are achieving higher degrees than men, and the income gap is narrowing, alongside rising rates of suicide and substance abuse among men.
Concerns about a crisis in masculinity often heighten during periods of social change. Those who adhere to this viewpoint frequently attribute blame to feminists and progressives for challenging traditional male roles, which they argue leads to men feeling lost or threatened.
Historical parallels can be drawn, including shifts in the late 19th and 20th centuries, when educational reforms aimed at gender equality provoked significant anxieties among men benefiting from existing structures. The establishment of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 exemplified efforts to provide exclusively male spaces in response to perceived threats to traditional masculinity.
Today, ongoing social advances—such as increased female participation in the workplace and in politics—continue to evoke feelings of insecurity among men. Figures like Jordan Peterson propagate the idea that men face pressure to diminish their identities in favor of equality, while media critiques of traditional values provoke backlash among men like conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.
In historical moments of change, men have often reacted in predictable ways to assert their distinctiveness in contrast to women. Sociologist Martha McCaughey has noted how evolutionary biology has been employed to rationalize men’s so-called innate tendencies toward dominance, whether in professional, intimate, or combative arenas.
