Elon Musk and Bill Gates, two of the tech world's most prominent figures, have been engaged in a public feud that has captured significant attention. But how and when did this high-profile feud start?
Beginning of Elon Musk vs. Bill Gates
According to Nicki Swift, the clash between the two industry giants began in 2020, revolving around differing perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill Gates criticized Elon Musk's comments on the virus and vaccines, suggesting that Musk should stick to his expertise in electric cars and rockets. Musk, known for his quick retorts, responded with a dismissive tweet about Gates.
Elon Musk, Bill Gates Leaked Text Conversation
The disagreement deepened when it was revealed that Bill Gates had shorted Tesla stocks, betting against the company's success. A leaked text conversation showed Elon Musk confronting Gates about this, questioning how Gates could support climate change initiatives while betting against Tesla.
The tension escalated when Gates voiced concerns about Musk's acquisition of Twitter and his approach to managing misinformation on the platform. Gates expressed worries about the potential spread of falsehoods and conspiracy theories under Musk's leadership.
In response, Musk mocked Gates on social media, posting a crude image and claiming to have moved on from the issue. Their feud has highlighted contrasting views on various topics, including public health and environmental responsibility.
Musk's dedication to environmentalism has been questioned, with reports suggesting that Tesla has underreported its carbon footprint and that SpaceX launches have caused environmental damage.
To stoke the fiery feud further, Musk recently warned Gates that he would face severe consequences if he continued to bet against Tesla. Read more about this story here.
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