Kim Kardashian Shuts Down Rumors of Payment for Viral Tesla Robot Post

Kim Kardashian set the internet ablaze with her futuristic photoshoot featuring Elon Musk’s $30,000 Tesla Optimus Robot, but her rep is clearing the air—she didn’t cash in on the viral moment.

Speaking to the New York Times, Kardashian’s publicist confirmed the reality star “did not get paid to post about the tech creation” to her massive 359 million Instagram followers.

The Skims mogul has shown her admiration for Musk’s products in the past, even posing with her Tesla Cybertruck on social media. Her latest interaction with the Tesla Optimus Robot, however, had fans raising eyebrows. In an Instagram post earlier this month, Kardashian playfully interacted with the robot, asking, “Hi! Can you do this? I love you?” She then squealed in amazement as the bot mirrored her hand motions to form a heart.

The “Kardashians” star joked about “going for a run” with the robot, and while fans were entertained, the internet wasn’t short on snark. Critics poked fun at Kardashian, calling the robot her “new low-maintenance boyfriend.” Never one to shy away from a little trolling, Kardashian leaned into the narrative, sharing steamy photos interlocking hands with the gold robot.

Despite her rep’s insistence that there was no financial exchange, New York Times pointed out Kardashian’s history with undisclosed promotions. Last year, she was hit with a $1.26 million fine from the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose payment for promoting a cryptocurrency asset. Whether or not this Tesla partnership followed a similar pattern remains speculative.

Kim Kardashian’s futuristic photoshoot has fans asking: is it pure admiration for Musk’s creations, or a savvy play for more headlines? What do you think of her flirty interaction with the Tesla Optimus Robot? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below!