When Microsoft founder Bill Gates called Elon Musk ‘super mean’

Microsoft founder Bill Gates once said that Elon is “super mean” and that he can not be taken ‘too personally’. The remark was made by Gates in Walter Isaacson’s 2023 biography of the Tesla CEO, highlighting what can be considered as one of the most high-profile billionaire feuds in recent memory. Fallout between Bill Gates and Elon Musk started when the former held a short position against Tesla. It has since turned into a public clash over climate, philanthropy, and global aid.

Bill Gates told Isaacson that he had shorted Tesla stock, a move that angered Elon Musk. In private text messages later made public, Musk asked Gates if he still held a “$500 million short position against Tesla.” To this Gates replied, “Sorry to say I haven’t closed it yet. I would like to discuss philanthropy possibilities.”