Billionaires can admire each other’s achievements without agreeing on much else. Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX (SPCX) CEO Elon Musk have clashed over investing, philanthropy, and politics, but Gates says Musk’s accomplishments are too significant to ignore.
In an interview with The Independent published on Feb. 3, 2025 — one day before the release of his memoir, “Source Code” — Gates discussed his complicated relationship with Musk. “He’s been nice to me at times, and mean to me at times,” Gates said. “I will try and work with him because he’s brilliant, he’s rich, he’s influential.”