Elon Musk reignites feud with Bill Gates over Tesla short bet

Elon Musk has once again taken aim at Bill Gates, reviving a long-running dispute over the billionaire philanthropist’s decision to short Tesla stock.

The clash resurfaced after Musk claimed Gates privately confirmed the short position during past conversations, even as he sought to collaborate on philanthropic efforts.

According to reports, Gates bet roughly $500 million against Tesla, effectively betting that the EV maker’s shares would fall.

That revelation reportedly angered Musk, who viewed the move as contradicting Gates’ public climate commitments.

Despite Gates’ skepticism, Tesla shares have climbed more than 6% this year and nearly 150% over the past five years.

At Tesla’s recent Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk revealed ambitious plans for future products and defended the company’s long-term vision, bolstered by shareholder approval of his new $1 trillion compensation package.

Notably, Bill Gates has not publicly responded to Musk’s latest remarks, but the episode underscores a rivalry that continues to fascinate the tech world.

As Tesla expands its influence across energy and transportation, the feud between Musk and Gates remains one of the tech industry’s most closely watched dynamics.