US President Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk will be allowed to inspect the gold reserves stored at Fort Knox, a secure depository in Kentucky. The US Bullion Depository has been storing precious metal bullion reserves since 1937 and is known for its high level of security.
Fort Knox is home to over 147 million ounces of gold, with about half of the Treasury’s stored gold held there. According to the US Mint, only small quantities of gold have been removed during regularly scheduled audits, and no gold has been transferred to or from the depository in recent years.
The facility is heavily guarded, with only a few people knowing its structure and procedures. Previous visitors to the vaults include journalists, congressional delegations, and the President. However, due to security concerns, visits are rare.
President Trump said he wants to ensure that the gold reserves are still present at Fort Knox, as he mentioned during a speech to Republican governors. He stated, “I don’t want to open it and the cupboards are bare.”
Elon Musk will be allowed to inspect the facility, which has gained notoriety for its impenetrability in popular culture. The gold depository has been featured in movies such as “Goldfinger” and “Stripes,” and is known for its high level of security.
The US Army post covers 109,000 acres across three counties in Kentucky and was established during World War I. It has undergone various changes over the years, including the relocation of the Armor Center and School to Fort Benning, Georgia.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fort-knoxs-gold-trump-elon-musk