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Why it matters that Elon Musk acknowledges Aspergers | TICKER VIEWS
It was the key moment of his SNL performance that we remember the most. Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest people, acknowledging he has Aspergers. And he’s proud of it.
Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger’s, is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication.
It often comes with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
“I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s [syndrome] to host. Or at least the first to admit it,” Musk told the audience during his opening monologue.
NOT THE FIRST
Turns out he wasn’t actually right.
Viewers quickly argued Musk’s assumption, pointing out that comedian and former “SNL” cast member Dan Aykroyd was the first on the show with the diagnosis.
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Aykroyd told the Daily Mail that his Asperger’s was manageable, although it “wasn’t diagnosed until the early Eighties”.
Elon Musk’s announcement on Saturday about Aspergers followed days of controversy surrounding the show’s choice to make him a host, which featured a few cast members taking jabs at the one of the richest people on earth.
But cast members Michael Che and Pete Davidson voiced their support for Musk on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Che lauded the slate of upcoming hosts, saying Musk is “the richest man in the world, how could you not be excited for that?”
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Davidson said he didn’t “know why people are freaking out.” – adding he might ask Musk for a free Tesla.
“They’re like, ‘Oh, I can’t believe that Elon Musk is hosting!’” Davidson said. “And I’m like, the guy that makes the Earth better kinda and makes cool things and sends people to Mars?’”