Elon Musk Criticizes MacKenzie Scott on International Women’s Day

Tờ Business Insider (BI) recently reported that billionaire Elon Musk unexpectedly criticized MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, on International Women’s Day, March 8th.

According to the article, Elon Musk’s tweet read, “Ex-spouses of the ultra-rich who hate their ex-husbands should be added to the list of ‘Reasons Why Western Civilization is Declining’.” This tweet seemed to imply criticism of Scott’s different approach to philanthropy.

Although the tweet was later deleted, screenshots circulated on social media, indicating that Tesla’s CEO was unhappy about losing his position as the world’s richest person to the founder of Amazon and that MacKenzie Scott, his ex-wife, had become a target of his displeasure.

Elon Musk’s Unfiltered Communication Style

The article explains that Elon Musk is known for his impulsive statements and lack of involvement from public relations professionals. This has led to criticism that his statements can be discriminatory based on gender and race.

“I will say whatever I want, and if it leads to losing money, so be it,” Elon Musk boldly stated on Twitter in May 2023.

This recent tweet targeting MacKenzie Scott is not the first time Musk has criticized the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. In May 2022, Musk announced that he would be voting for the Republican Party because he felt that the Democratic Party was “cold” towards his electric car company. He also mentioned that MacKenzie was donating to “phony” Democratic Party organizations.

“MacKenzie Scott is not a fan of her post-divorce partner. It’s unfortunate that many have become victims of this conflict,” Elon Musk wrote on Twitter in May 2022.

Bezos Reclaims His Crown

Elon Musk’s criticism of MacKenzie Scott comes just a few days after Jeff Bezos, who had left Amazon to retire and focus on other projects, surpassed Musk as the richest person in the world.

According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Tesla’s CEO lost the top spot after Tesla’s stock price fell 7.2% on March 4, 2024. Musk’s total net worth now stands at $197.7 billion, falling short of Jeff Bezos’ $200.3 billion.

While Musk held the title for only nine months, this is the first time since 2021 that the Amazon founder has returned to the top of the rankings.

Generosity with Different Approaches

The article contrasts MacKenzie Scott’s philanthropic efforts with Elon Musk’s approach. After receiving a 4% stake in Amazon as part of the divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos, Scott has been making billion-dollar contributions directly to charitable causes without going through traditional nonprofit organizations.

In contrast, Elon Musk has contributed to philanthropy through the Musk Foundation, an organization he and his brother Kimbal founded in 2002. The foundation has donated to various causes, including renewable energy, space exploration, and artificial intelligence.

While MacKenzie Scott’s unrestricted approach to philanthropy has received praise from numerous autonomous charitable organizations, Elon Musk’s philanthropy comes with specific goals and requirements.

In 2021, Musk donated $5.7 billion worth of Tesla shares to the Musk Foundation. Bloomberg also reported that the foundation contributed $160 million to nonprofits in 2021, including $55 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Both MacKenzie Scott and Jeff Bezos have their unique perspectives on philanthropy. In 2022, Bezos announced his intention to donate his entire fortune, stating that philanthropy is just as challenging as building a successful business empire.

The article concludes that while Elon Musk and MacKenzie Scott may have differing approaches to philanthropy, their differing viewpoints have made headlines, creating an ongoing dialogue about the role of wealth and giving back.

Nguồn: BI