The rivalry between tech magnates Elon Musk and Bill Gates has recently escalated, as evidenced by Musk’s public warning on the social media platform X.

Musk cautioned Gates about the consequences of betting against Tesla, especially as the company nears significant advancements in autonomous technology and mass production of its humanoid robot, Optimus.

Elon Musk took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to deliver a stark warning to Bill Gates and anyone else maintaining a short position against Tesla.

Musk’s post, « Once Tesla fully solves autonomy and has [its droid] Optimus in volume production, anyone still holding a short position will be obliterated,” was pointed and unambiguous, with Musk explicitly mentioning Gates as one of the potential short-sellers at risk.

Background of the Dispute

The tension between Musk and Gates has been simmering since 2022, stemming primarily from Musk’s perception that Gates’ short position on Tesla contradicts his stated commitments to climate change philanthropy.

Musk expressed his discontent last year, noting the contradiction between Gates’ environmental advocacy and his financial bet against Tesla, a company that Musk views as central to addressing climate challenges.

Musk’s comments come at a time when Tesla is pushing the boundaries of technology, notably in autonomous vehicles and AI. Musk envisions a future where Tesla not only manufactures electric vehicles but also leads in AI innovation with projects like Optimus.

He projects a transformation of Tesla into a powerhouse in AI and robotics, potentially increasing its valuation to unprecedented levels.

Financial Struggles and Achievements

Despite Musk’s optimism, Tesla has faced its share of challenges, with a noted decline in vehicle sales in the first half of the year. However, the company managed to mitigate a more severe sales drop in the second quarter by liquidating inventory.

Additionally, Tesla’s ability to repurpose spare battery cells for its energy storage business highlights its strategic flexibility in navigating market demands.

Musk’s refusal to support Gates’ philanthropic efforts is rooted in a clash of principles. Musk views Gates’ bet against Tesla as fundamentally at odds with efforts to combat climate change, given Tesla’s role in promoting renewable energy and sustainable transport solutions.