Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has refuted Elon Musk’s recent claim about advising people to sell Tesla and SpaceX stocks over Donald Trump’s election prospects. The exchange has sparked widespread interest, highlighting the dynamic between two of the world’s most prominent billionaires.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Claim
On Thursday, Elon Musk alleged that Jeff Bezos, during a gathering at Mar-a-Lago, had claimed Donald Trump would lose the US election. Musk tweeted:
“Just learned that at Mar-a-Lago Jeff Bezos was telling everyone Donald Trump would lose for sure, so they should sell their Tesla and SpaceX stock.”
Jeff Bezos’ Swift Rebuttal
Jeff Bezos wasted no time responding to Musk’s tweet, calling the claim “100% not true.” In a rare tweet, Bezos wrote:
“Nope. 100% not true.”
Elon Musk replied with a laughing emoji and commented, “Well, then, I stand corrected.”
This response marked Bezos’ first tweet since November 6, when he broke a four-month silence on the platform to congratulate Donald Trump on his re-election victory.
Bezos’ Congratulatory Tweet to Donald Trump
Jeff Bezos’ November 6 tweet congratulating Donald Trump drew significant attention. He posted:
“Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.”
This unexpected congratulatory message reignited conversations about Bezos’ political affiliations and his vision for America.
The Washington Post’s Decision on Presidential Endorsements
Jeff Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, also made headlines for the publication’s decision to cease endorsing presidential candidates. The decision was criticized, as it had been rumored that the paper planned to endorse Kamala Harris.
Bezos’ Explanation
In an op-ed article, Bezos defended the decision, citing the need to rebuild trust in the media:
- Perception of Bias: Presidential endorsements, he argued, create a perception of bias and undermine media independence.
- Ineffectiveness: Bezos emphasized that endorsements do not influence undecided voters or election outcomes, stating,
“No undecided voters in Pennsylvania are going to say, ‘I’m going with Newspaper A’s endorsement.’ What endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias.”
Elon Musk’s Involvement in Trump’s Election Efforts
In contrast, Elon Musk has reportedly invested over $100 million in support of Donald Trump’s campaign. His role extends beyond financial backing. Musk, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, has been appointed to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.
Mission of DOGE
The initiative aims to:
- Restructure the federal government.
- Implement massive budget cuts.
- Enhance overall governmental efficiency.
Key Takeaways
The public exchange between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk reflects their differing political and business philosophies. While Bezos focused on combating bias and rebuilding media trust, Musk’s active role in shaping government efficiency has added another layer to his political involvement.
As the story unfolds, these interactions continue to fuel debates about the intersection of politics, business, and influence among tech moguls.
