tesla

Elon Musk is preparing another revolution — and this time the numbers really raise analysts' eyebrows.
📌 The idea is simple:
fully autonomous taxi operating 24/7, without drivers, without days off, without emotions.
And the economy here looks almost indecent.
💰 Basic math of Robotaxi
100,000 robotaxis × 100 miles per day × $1 revenue per mile × ~80% margin

In Silicon Valley's landscape of tech giants, Bill Gates and Elon Musk are legends in their own right: the former built the Microsoft empire, while the latter pioneered innovations at Tesla and SpaceX. Yet their rivalry erupted over a short-selling bet, evolving into a long-standing public conflict. Rumors of Gates shorting Tesla have simmered since coming to light in 2022, with Musk repeatedly "firing shots" on X, warning Gates to "cover his position ASAP." Beyond estimated losses of $1.5–2 billion, this feud has laid bare profound disagreements over climate ideology, charitable approaches, and corporate missions.

 
I. Origin: 2022 Text Leak Ignites Public Feud

It all began in April 2022, when The New York Times published leaked text messages between Gates and Musk, sending shockwaves through public discourse.

Musk confronted Gates directly:

"Do you still hold a $500 million short position on Tesla?"

Gates replied:

"Sorry, I haven’t closed it yet. I wanted to discuss potential charity collaborations."

Musk shot back coldly:

"I can’t take your climate change charity proposals seriously when you’re shorting Tesla—this company is the single most important player in solving the climate crisis."

The leak exposed Gates’ secret short position on Tesla. Reports suggest he initiated the bet around 2019, when Tesla’s stock traded below $200 amid widespread skepticism. Gates’ short was rooted in traditional value-investing logic, but Tesla’s subsequent surge—driven by skyrocketing Model 3/Y sales and technological breakthroughs—pushed its share price above $400.

Musk later stated publicly on X:

"Gates’ short position has ballooned to $1.5–2 billion. If Tesla keeps rising, he’ll go bankrupt."

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk confirmed: Gates’ initial $500 million short turned into massive losses as Tesla’s market cap surpassed $1 trillion.

For Musk, Gates’ move wasn’t just a financial transaction—it was a "betrayal of values." Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, and Gates, an outspoken environmental advocate, betting against its success was unforgivable in Musk’s eyes.

Gates downplayed the controversy:

"Shorting a stock doesn’t hurt anyone. I’ve invested far more in climate solutions than Musk has."

This response only fueled Musk’s anger.

 

II. Escalation: Musk’s "Bankruptcy Warning" and Gates’ "Extremely Mean" Allegation

Since 2022, Musk has repeatedly revisited the feud in public:

December 2024:

"If Tesla becomes the world’s most valuable company, Gates’ short position will bankrupt him multiple times over."

He even mocked:

"From day one, this was a giant F**k you to Gates."

November 17, 2025 (Current Date):
Musk issued a "final warning":

"If Gates hasn’t closed this crazy 8-year short yet, he’d better act fast."

The post garnered massive fan engagement, keeping the controversy in the spotlight.

Gates responded more restrainedly. In a 2023 interview, he stated:

"Once he found out I shorted Tesla, he became extremely mean to me."

In a 2025 conversation, Gates further emphasized:

"I never intended to hurt Musk—Tesla’s success speaks to his vision."

Musk, however, has never accepted this explanation, repeatedly labeling Gates a "hypocrite" who preaches environmentalism while betting against an electric vehicle company.

Their conflicts have since spilled over into other areas:

- Gates dismissed Mars colonization as impractical
​
- Musk mocked Gates for being tied to "vaccine conspiracy theories"
​
- Gates expanded investments in hydrogen energy
​
- Musk implied Gates was "opposing the EV revolution"

The two tech icons have also split public opinion into opposing camps.

 

III. Root Cause: Long-Standing Divides in Climate and Charity Ideologies

The short position was merely a symptom—at its core lies a fundamental clash of beliefs:

1. Divergent Climate Strategies

- Gates: Advocates a prudent approach, investing in diversified solutions like carbon capture and hydrogen energy.
​
- Musk: Champions "full electrification"; Tesla is his primary tool for achieving decarbonization.

Gates has questioned the safety of self-driving technology, while Musk criticized Gates for "failing to understand the EV revolution."

2. Conflicting Charitable Philosophies

- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Focuses on traditional public issues like global health, sanitation, and education.
​
- Musk Foundation: Prioritizes future-focused tech initiatives such as AI, renewable energy, and space exploration.

In 2022, when Gates proposed collaborating on climate action, Musk rejected the offer citing the short position, stating:

"Gates’ wealth comes from Microsoft’s monopoly, not innovation."

This conflict reflects a generational divide in Silicon Valley: "the software era vs. the hardware era."

 

IV. Public Opinion and Industry Impact

The feud has polarized public opinion:

- Musk’s fans: Accuse Gates of short-sightedness and conservatism.
​
- Gates’ supporters: Criticize Musk for being emotional and manipulating public opinion via social media.

Tesla’s stock briefly dropped 5% after the text leak but later surged amid backlash, with its market cap even exceeding $3 trillion. Gates’ losses have become a punchline in tech circles (though exact figures remain unconfirmed).

 

V. Implications and Outlook: A Tech Giant "Drama"

The feud’s impact extends far beyond personal rivalry:

- Gates’ short-selling failure serves as a cautionary tale about market risks.
​
- Tesla’s resilience has strengthened confidence in the EV sector.

In 2025, Tesla continues to advance the Cybertruck and Robotaxi initiatives;
the Gates Foundation is doubling down on prudent climate solutions like hydrogen energy.

The "cold war" between the two is unlikely to end anytime soon.

If Tesla’s market cap keeps rising, Musk’s claim that "Gates could go bankrupt multiple times"—while exaggerated—symbolizes the essence of their dispute:
This is not just a battle of wealth, but a collision of tech routes, values, and visions for the future.
#bitcoin #Tesla