Elon Musk reignited his long-standing rift with Bill Gates via a pointed “Karma is real” reply on X, targeting short sellers amid a viral post linking them to Gates’ personal scandals. This escalation revives 2022 tensions over Gates’ reported $500 million bet against Tesla stock.
Triggering X Post Details
User @WholeMarsblog posted: “I’ve often found that Tesla short sellers don’t have the best moral compass,” quoting a New York Times report on Gates apologizing to his foundation staff for Jeffrey Epstein ties and affairs with two Russian women. Musk’s succinct three-word response amplified the dig, going viral instantly.
Roots in Tesla Short-Selling Saga
The feud traces to 2022 when Musk revealed Gates held a massive short position on Tesla during a vulnerable phase, rejecting his philanthropy pitch. Musk accused Gates of hypocrisy on climate causes while betting $500M on Tesla’s failure, claiming it hurt retail investors.
Musk’s Past Barbs at Gates
Musk tweeted in 2023: “If Tesla becomes the world’s most valuable company… that short position will bankrupt even Bill Gates.” Gates later called Musk “super mean,” admitting the short but defending his environmental efforts amid ongoing public spats.
Broader Tesla Short Seller Wars
Musk has long mocked shorts, from 2018 “short shorts” merch taunts to labeling them “evil.” Despite legal scrutiny, Tesla’s stock resilience—now market leader—vindicates his stance, with shorts facing billions in losses.
2026 Investment Lessons
This episode underscores risks of shorting high-growth stocks like Tesla amid EV dominance. Investors eye Musk’s X influence on markets, while Gates’ foundation pivots to AI philanthropy post-controversies.
