- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 23 Feb 2025 04:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The US government has announced an initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate the integrity of the gold reserves stored at Fort Knox. This move comes amid growing calls for transparency in federal assets, following remarks by US President Donald Trump emphasising accountability for the nation’s gold holdings.
Speaking on Saturday, President Trump confirmed Musk’s involvement in verifying the depository’s reserves. "Elon Musk will be looking at the gold depository at Fort Knox to make sure the gold is still there," Trump stated. According to the US Mint, Fort Knox currently holds approximately 147.3 million ounces of gold, representing nearly half of the US Treasury’s total reserves.
Musk himself has expressed curiosity about the investigation, emphasising the need for public assurance regarding the nation’s gold reserves. “There’s like 5,000 tons of gold in Fort Knox. We all want to see it. This is your gold. It’s the public’s gold. I don’t know if it’s there. We just want to see it and make sure someone didn’t spray paint some lead or something,” Musk remarked.
In characteristic style, he suggested that the inspection be made public: “The President seems into it. It should be a live tour. Let’s open the door and see what’s behind it. I’d watch that. What does 5,000 tons of gold even look like? Maybe there’s some other stuff in there too.”
What Is Fort Knox?
The United States Bullion Depository, commonly referred to as Fort Knox, is one of the most secure vaults in the world. Located adjacent to the US Army post of Fort Knox, Kentucky, the facility is operated by the US Department of the Treasury and is protected by the US Mint Police.
Built in 1936, Fort Knox was established to securely store a significant portion of the nation’s gold reserves. The initial gold shipments to the depository occurred in 1937 and 1941, transferring nearly 417 million troy ounces (12,960 metric tons) away from coastal cities to a more secure inland location.
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Historical Significance Of Fort Knox
Beyond gold storage, Fort Knox has played a crucial role in safeguarding valuable documents and artefacts during wartime. During World War II, it housed the original signed copies of the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and other historical documents to protect them from potential threats. Other rare items stored there have included a Gutenberg Bible, an exemplified copy of the Magna Carta, and stockpiles of opium and morphine for medical use.
Today, the depository is known to hold ten rare 1933 Double Eagle gold coins, a 1974-D aluminium cent, and twelve 22-karat gold Sacagawea dollar coins that flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia during its 1999 STS-93 mission.
Security Measures At Fort Knox
Fort Knox is synonymous with security, giving rise to the phrase “as safe as Fort Knox.” Its defences include a perimeter lined with razor wire, high-resolution night vision surveillance, and a subterranean vault reinforced with steel plates, I-beams, and torch-resistant doors. The main vault door is 21 inches thick and weighs 20 tons, accessible only through a time-locked system requiring multiple staff members to input separate combinations.
Visitors, including government officials, are generally not permitted inside. The last known public inspection occurred in 1974 when a group of journalists and lawmakers were granted a rare tour to dispel rumours that the gold reserves were missing.
Public’s Fascination With Fort Knox
Given its status as the most secure vault in the US, Fort Knox has been a popular subject in literature and film. One of the most famous portrayals was in Ian Fleming’s 1959 James Bond novel Goldfinger, where the titular villain attempts to steal its gold reserves. The 1964 film adaptation depicted a scheme to irradiate the gold to increase its value. Other pop culture references include Abbott and Costello’s Comin’ Round the Mountain (1951) and the Bugs Bunny cartoon 14 Carrot Rabbit (1952), both of which humorously depict Fort Knox as an impenetrable fortress.
