In a high-stakes clash of the tech titans, billionaire Elon Musk and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates found themselves at odds over a significant financial move. Gates, in a surprising revelation, has accused Musk of being “super mean” following his decision to short Tesla stock. The feud, laid bare in an upcoming biography of Musk, paints a vivid picture of strained relations in the world of billionaires.
Gates disclosed the animosity during an interview with author Walter Isaacson, who has spent the last three years chronicling the life of the enigmatic Tesla CEO. According to an excerpt from the forthcoming book, Musk did not take kindly to the news that Gates had placed a bet on Tesla’s stock price plummeting.
“Once he heard I’d shorted the stock, he was super mean to me, but he’s super mean to so many people, so you can’t take it too personally,” Gates told the author, revealing Musk’s harsh reaction.
Musk’s confirmation of the feud came in April 2022 when he disclosed that he had rejected a philanthropic proposal from Gates, a move that stemmed from the stock shorting incident. Musk even shared portions of their text exchange to shed light on their falling out.
Their text conversation began with amicable intentions, as the two billionaires appeared poised to meet in person. However, Musk wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room, asking Gates if he still held a “half-billion-dollar short position against Tesla.”
“Sorry to say I haven’t closed it yet,” Gates replied, adding in another message, “I would like to discuss philanthropy possibilities.”
Musk, known for his candidness, responded with a sharp rebuke, stating that he couldn’t take Gates’ philanthropic efforts on climate change seriously “when you have a massive short position against Tesla, the company doing the most to solve climate change.” This exchange further strained their already fragile relationship.
Gates admitted to Isaacson that he had extended an apology to Musk over the incident, but despite his efforts, the relationship remained fraught with tension. The billionaire battle even spilled into the public eye when Musk posted a meme seemingly mocking Gates for his weight shortly after the text exchange was made public. However, Musk later declared that he was ready to “move on” from the controversy, leaving their feud simmering beneath the surface.
The Titans Clash: Elon Musk vs. Bill Gates
The clash between Elon Musk and Bill Gates has thrust their personal and professional interactions into the spotlight. While both billionaires have made immense contributions to the tech and environmental sectors, their differences have been laid bare for the world to see.
It’s clear that the contentious issue of shorting Tesla stock has driven a wedge between these influential figures. Elon Musk’s refusal to accept Gates’ philanthropic gestures as genuine underscores the gravity of their dispute. As two individuals at the forefront of climate change initiatives, their public feud threatens to overshadow their shared goal of addressing one of the planet’s most pressing issues.
As this billionaire battle unfolds, the tech world watches with bated breath, hoping that these two titans of industry can eventually find common ground and collaborate on the greater good. Only time will tell if their differences can be reconciled, or if their feud will continue to simmer in the background, casting a shadow over their remarkable achievements.
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