Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has not shied away from controversy, particularly when it concerns his rivalry with Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post. Recently, Musk took to X, formally known as Twitter, to accuse Bezos of predicting a loss for Donald Trump, claiming Bezos urged people to sell their Tesla and SpaceX stocks as the 2024 election approached.
On November 21, Musk tweeted, "Just learned tonight at Mar-a-Lago [Trump's retreat] that Jeff Bezos was telling everyone [that Trump] would lose for sure, so they should sell all their Tesla and SpaceX stock." The tweet, laden with insinuations, riled up followers on both sides of the political spectrum as it intertwined business with political strategy.
Bezos quickly responded to Musk's claim with, "Nope. 100% not true." His rebuttal was clear, but Musk retorted with humor, indicating he was willing to laugh off the situation, replying with, "Well, then, I stand corrected," followed by a laughing emoji. This exchange marks another chapter in their long-standing rivalry, which has seen numerous public spats over the years.
Musk has become known for his outspoken endorsements of Trump, especially during the 2024 presidential campaign. His support has been financial as well as vocal, investing millions to aid Trump's campaign. He openly praised Trump's economic policies, hinting at his belief they would lead to expansion and prosperity, even as many critics warned of impending danger during potentially disruptive policies like mass deportations.
Interestingly, as the tensions rise between these titans of industry, Musk's relationship with Trump deepened after the election, which saw Trump win both the Electoral College and popular vote. Upon Trump's election, he was appointed to lead the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency" along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The goal outlined was to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies within the federal government, and Musk positioned himself as pivotal to the company-structured overhaul of the government.
Meanwhile, Bezos was under scrutiny for not taking sides leading up to the election. His decision to halt the editorial board of The Washington Post from backing Vice President Kamala Harris drew backlash from staff and readers alike, arguing it stemmed from fear of retaliation from Musk should Trump secure the presidency. Critics claimed this move demonstrated Bezos's willingness to avoid political confrontation, positioning his media venture amid economic and corporate interests.
While both men vie for the top spots on Forbes' billionaire lists, with Musk leading at $316 billion compared to Bezos's $217 billion, their rivalry extends beyond personal wealth to the broader stakes surrounding their corporate ambitions. Musk's and Bezos's companies are engaged in heated competition within the space industry, primarily through SpaceX and Blue Origin, as well as burgeoning satellite internet services with Musk's Starlink pitted against Bezos's Project Kuiper.
After Trump's election victory, Bezos took to X to equate the result to a significant political comeback, congratulating Trump as both 'the 45th and now 47th President' — solidifying the tension between their personal and public interactions. Musk, firmly rooted within Trump's camp, continues to bolster support for the ideas and initiatives championed by the newly minted administration.
All things considered, this spat over predictions and political maneuvering showcases the lengths to which business leaders will go to exert influence or simply engage their rivals. With each tweet and public statement, the tension between the two billionaires continues to draw public attention and shape narratives about the intersection of wealth, power, and politics. Whether their rivalry signifies lively banter or underlying economic strategies remains to be seen, but as long as both Musk and Bezos stay at the forefront of their industries, this competition will likely play out against the backdrop of American politics.
The clarity of Bezos's denial contrasted with Musk's calculated provocations only fuels media discussion and public intrigue, highlighting the complex lives these mega-wealthy individuals navigate beyond their companies and their stock values.