Social Capital founder Chamath Palihapitiya criticized Bill Gates this week, claiming the Microsoft cofounder "lost a fortune" shorting Tesla and backing what he called failed environmental projects. His comments followed a blog post where Gates appeared to soften his stance on climate urgency.
Palihapitiya argued that Gates' shift signaled a retreat from ESG-focused investing, saying "the experiment is over."Gates shorted Tesla stock in 2022, sparking backlash from Elon Musk, who later released their private text exchangeshowing Gates seeking climate collaboration despite the short position.
The controversy resurfaced as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reportedly faces an investigation over $23 million in grants allegedly tied to Chinese Communist Party-linked entities. The foundation's funding practices are drawing fresh scrutiny from U.S. authorities.
Palihapitiya also weighed in on Amazon's layoffs, suggesting they were part of "the unwinding of the DEI-fueled hiring bonanza" that defined the last decade. He claimed flawed diversity-driven hiring practices contributed to the company's workforce cuts.
Meanwhile, Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm said the company's upcoming Cybercab could include a steering wheel and pedals to meet safety regulations if needed. Investors see this as a sign Tesla remains flexible as it pushes into new markets.
Denholm's remarks also supported speculation that Tesla may eventually produce a smaller, more affordable two-door model, potentially widening its customer base and strengthening its position in the mass market.
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