
Elon Musk and Bill Gates’ long-standing rivalry has flared up again. Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), recently claimed Gates could face financial trouble if Tesla’s stock surged by 200%.
The feud dates back to 2022, when Musk rejected a charitable proposal from Gates, accusing him of hypocrisy. Gates, who champions climate change initiatives, had reportedly shorted Tesla’s stock—betting against the success of a company focused on clean energy solutions. Although Gates apologized, their relationship soured.
Musk reignited the dispute when someone shared a 2023 tweet highlighting Gates’ short position. Musk suggested Gates’ bet would only yield significant returns if Tesla went bankrupt. He criticized Gates for his environmental stance while financially undermining Tesla’s mission to combat climate change.
Musk’s latest jab deepened the tension, suggesting Gates’ financial position could be threatened if Tesla’s valuation skyrocketed, potentially making it the most valuable company in the world. While the claim remains speculative, it underscores the ongoing clash between two of the world’s most prominent billionaires. Time will reveal if Musk’s bold prediction holds true.