A firestorm has erupted in the publishing world as Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s former Chief Operating Officer and author of the influential book Lean In, publicly accused Maye Musk—renowned model, nutritionist, and mother of tech titan Elon Musk—of plagiarizing significant portions of her bestselling work. The controversy, which surfaced through a series of charged social media posts, has rapidly escalated into a heated public debate, drawing in readers, publishing professionals, and fans of both prominent women.

What has made this situation even more explosive is not just the accusation of intellectual theft, but the revelation that Maye Musk’s latest book, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success, is being sold at a price point far above industry norms. With the hardcover retailing at $199 and the digital edition at $99, critics have called the pricing “exploitative,” especially in light of Sandberg’s claims.

The Plagiarism Allegation: A Detailed Breakdown

Sandberg’s accusations were laid out in a lengthy social media post, in which she claimed Musk’s book lifted entire chapters, frameworks, and even personal anecdotes directly from Lean In. Sandberg asserted that Musk’s book not only mirrors the themes of career growth, leadership, and overcoming workplace obstacles central to Lean In, but also replicates Sandberg’s language and structure.

“It’s one thing to be inspired by a book,” Sandberg wrote. “But when entire chapters, entire sections, and even personal stories are lifted directly and passed off as new, that crosses the line. It’s not just unethical; it’s theft.”

Sandberg, who has spent years championing women’s rights and workplace equality, emphasized that her issue was not with Musk’s advocacy for women, but with the lack of originality and acknowledgment. She claimed the similarities went far beyond coincidence, calling it “intellectual property theft.”

The Price Controversy: Empowerment or Exploitation?

While plagiarism allegations alone would have rocked the literary community, the pricing of Musk’s book has added fuel to the fire. Lean In has long been available at an accessible price point—typically between $15 and $20 for the paperback edition. In stark contrast, Musk’s book is being sold for $199 in hardcover and $99 for the digital version, prices that are rarely seen in the self-help genre.

Readers and critics alike have questioned whether Musk is leveraging her celebrity status—and her connection to Elon Musk—to justify what they see as an exorbitant price. Many have argued that the high cost is not only exclusionary, but undermines the very message of empowerment Musk claims to champion.

“It’s absolutely absurd that anyone would sell a book about empowerment at such an inflated price,” one reader commented on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s exploitation disguised as motivation.”

Elon Musk’s Fiery Defense

In a move that further intensified the debate, Elon Musk immediately jumped to his mother’s defense on social media. His response was swift and uncompromising.

“Sheryl Sandberg is a hypocrite,” Musk posted. “This is a baseless attack on my mother, who has spent her entire life breaking barriers and empowering women. To accuse her of plagiarism is not only false but an insult to her decades of hard work and personal experiences.”

He continued, “As for the pricing, my mother has built a legacy. Her book is a reflection of that, and people who truly value her wisdom will understand that. You don’t get to judge someone’s worth based on arbitrary standards set by others.”

The billionaire’s comments quickly went viral, polarizing public opinion even further. Some rallied behind the Musk family, while others criticized Elon for what they saw as an attempt to deflect serious allegations with personal loyalty.

Maye Musk Responds: Denial and Defense

Maye Musk herself released a statement through her public relations team, firmly denying all plagiarism claims. She insisted that her book was a product of her own life experiences and lessons learned over decades in business, modeling, and parenting.

“Empowering women has always been at the core of my message,” Musk said. “I’ve spent my entire life breaking barriers as a model, a mother, and a businesswoman. This book is about the lessons I’ve learned, and I believe it offers valuable advice to women who want to lead successful lives. As for the pricing, it reflects the premium nature of the content and the expertise that went into creating it.”

Musk maintained that any overlap with other works in the genre was coincidental, and that her story was uniquely hers.

Public Reaction: Division and Debate

The feud has ignited a passionate debate online and within the publishing industry. Supporters of Sandberg have called for accountability, arguing that fame should not shield anyone from the consequences of intellectual theft.

“Just because someone is famous doesn’t mean they can take someone else’s work and profit off it,” one commentator wrote. “This is about integrity, not about loyalty to family.”

Conversely, Maye Musk’s defenders have accused Sandberg of jealousy and attempting to sabotage another successful woman. “This is a classic example of a powerful woman trying to tear another woman down. Elon is absolutely right to stand up for his mother,” one user argued.

Others have focused on the price controversy, questioning whether any self-help book should cost hundreds of dollars, regardless of its content or author.

The Bigger Picture: Feminism, Commercialism, and Influence

Beyond the personal feud, the Sandberg-Musk controversy highlights larger questions about the commercialization of feminism and empowerment. Both women have built careers by advocating for women’s rights, but their clash raises issues about authenticity, accessibility, and the ethics of profiting from social causes.

Is the empowerment movement being commodified, with high prices and recycled content overshadowing genuine progress? Critics argue that the self-help genre is increasingly dominated by celebrity authors whose fame, rather than their ideas, drives sales and sets prices.

What’s Next?

As the dispute continues, both Sandberg and Musk face uncertain futures for their books and public images. For Sandberg, renewed interest in Lean In may follow, as readers seek to understand the origins of modern empowerment literature. For Musk, the backlash could force a reevaluation of her marketing and pricing strategies, or at least spark a broader conversation about the ethics of self-help publishing.

Whether the controversy will affect their legacies remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the debate over plagiarism, pricing, and empowerment is far from over.

Conclusion: A Publishing World at a Crossroads

The clash between Sheryl Sandberg and Maye Musk is more than a personal feud—it’s a microcosm of the challenges facing the self-help industry and the broader movement for women’s empowerment. As readers, critics, and industry insiders continue to weigh in, the outcome of this controversy may well shape how future generations view authenticity, accessibility, and the true meaning of empowerment.