Elon Musk’s claim to be first ‘SNL’ host with Asperger’s is incorrect

Elon Musk’s claim to be first ‘SNL’ host with Asperger’s is incorrect
Dan Aykroyd, who served as a cast member from 1975 to 1979, has spoken publicly about living with Asperger’s.Dan Aykroyd, who served as a cast member from 1975 to 1979, has spoken publicly about living with Asperger’s.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Elon Musk has been called out for incorrectly claiming to be the “first person with Asperger’s” to host “Saturday Night Live” — with many noting that former cast member Dan Aykroyd likely nabbed that title 18 years ago.

The billionaire Tesla CEO made the claim during his opening monologue on Saturday’s episode, while publicly revealing his diagnosis for the first time.

“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.

But others on social media were quick to point out that the distinction belonged to Aykroyd, who returned in 2003 for hosting duties.

“Dan Aykroyd is autistic and hosted SNL in 2003. In case anyone forgot,” wrote one Twitter user.

Another added, “Good on Musk for being open about his autism. But it takes seconds of research to find he was not the first.”

Aykroyd, who served as a cast member from 1975 to 1979, has spoken publicly about living with Asperger’s.

“I have Asperger’s but I can manage it,” Aykroyd told the Daily Mail in 2014. “It wasn’t diagnosed until the early ’80s when my wife persuaded me to see a doctor.”