Elon Musk, Bill Gates Clashed Over Philanthropy, Mars, Tesla Shorting, Reveals Biography

In a candid revelation from Walter Isaacson's upcoming biography, "Elon Musk," the world gets a glimpse into the intriguing meeting of two tech titans, Elon Musk and Bill Gates, in early 2022.

The encounter shared by CNBC, filled with debates over philanthropy, the viability of electric trucks, and even Mars colonization, sheds light on the stark differences between these two visionaries.

Meeting of the Minds

The chance meeting between Elon Musk and Bill Gates took place against the backdrop of Musk's decision to channel $5.7 billion into a charitable fund due to his stock sales for tax purposes.

According to CNN, Tesla's stock was trading above $1,000 a share at the time of the donations. With this donation, Musk became the second-largest US donor in 2021, trailing only Bill Gates and his then-wife Melinda.

Gates, who had been deeply immersed in philanthropic work, saw this as an opportunity to exchange ideas on climate change and altruism.

Batteries, Solar Energy, and Mars

One of the most significant debates during their encounter revolved around the potential of batteries to power large semitrucks and the role of solar energy in mitigating climate change.

Armed with data, Gates argued against these solutions' feasibility, prompting Musk to defend his beliefs vigorously.

Despite years of delay, Tesla launched the production version of the Tesla Semi class 8 electric truck and delivered the first units to customers in December 2022. The company ordered the recall of some units a few months later.

Musk's enthusiasm for Mars colonization also became a point of contention. Gates later revealed, "I'm not a Mars person," referring to Musk's unconventional vision of Martian survival during a nuclear war on Earth.

Philanthropic Perspectives

The most contentious issue was their differing views on philanthropy. Musk expressed skepticism, suggesting that most philanthropy had minimal impact, estimating a mere 20 cents of impact for every donated dollar. He argued that investing in Tesla was a more effective way to combat climate change.

Gates, renowned for his meticulous approach to philanthropy, countered with some of his substantial projects, including aiding refugees, improving American schools, researching an AIDS cure, eradicating specific mosquito species through gene drives, and more.

Tesla Stock Shorting Drama

One of the most significant flashpoints in their meeting was Bill Gates' admission that he had shorted Tesla stock, which cost him a staggering $1.5 billion.

Musk, who despises short-sellers, was furious upon learning of this. The clash showcased their fundamentally different investment philosophies.

Gates defended his position, explaining that he had bet on Tesla's stock price declining due to a perceived oversupply of electric cars.

Musk, however, questioned Gates' commitment to fighting climate change when he stood to profit from the failure of a sustainable energy car company, even posting memes to attack Gates.

Despite the clashes and differences in worldview, Gates displayed a gracious side.

Later that year, at a dinner in Washington, DC, he acknowledged Musk's contributions to science and innovation, saying, "You can feel whatever you want about Elon's behavior, but there is no one in our time who has done more to push the bounds of science and innovation than he has."

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