Elon Musk and Bill Gates have clashed continually since early 2020.
It all started after the Microsoft CEO commented on Musk’s Tesla electric cars.
It got worse when the Covid-19 pandemic began, as the two billionaires appeared to fundamentally disagree on how it was handled.
Musk’s outspoken opinions on Gates even led him to posting a anti-vaccine meme featuring the rival-CEO on Twitter.
Now, Musk has bought the platform for an eye-watering $44billion (£36billion), promising to open the social media giant up in support of freedom of speech.
Recently, Gates sat down with the BBC and shared his thoughts on the SpaceX boss, saying: “There's no need for him to be nice to me”.
What has Bill Gates said about Elon Musk?
In late-April 2022, Mush accused Gates of “shorting” Tesla stock.
Essentially, this is a from of betting against a company’s shares, betting that they will decline, not grow.
Musk then Tweeted a now deleted meme of Gates, deriding the CEO.
When asked by the BBC about this incident, Gates replied: "There's no need for him to be nice to me.”
Musk argued that betting against Tesla went against Gates’ environmental views, as support all-electric cars can only help fight climate change.
Gates said: "That has nothing to do with climate change. I have ways of diversifying.
"The popularity of electric cars will lead to more competition for selling those cars. So there's a difference between electric cars being adopted, and companies becoming infinitely valuable."
Why is there a feud between Elon Musk and Bill Gates?
The rival-billionaires first came to blows following an interview Gates featured in on the Marques Brownlee YouTube Channel.
He explained that despite Tesla having helped drive innovation, he instead bought a Porsche Taycan.
Later, in an interview with CNBC, Gates criticised Musk’s comments early into the coronavirus pandemic.
Gates explained: "Elon's positioning is to maintain a high level of outrageous comments.
“He's not much involved in vaccines. He makes a great electric car. And his rockets work well. So he's allowed to say these things.
“I hope that he doesn't confuse areas he's not involved in too much."
On March 19, 2020, Musk controversially Tweeted: “Based on current trends, probably close to zero new [Covid] cases in US too by end of April.”
Around this time, Musk made his feelings regarding Gates’ comments known, jokingly replying to one Twitter user that tagged him, writing: “Billy G is not my lover”.
Then in September of 2020, he Tweeted again in regards to Gates’ comments on Tesla, with the electric car manufacturer writing: “He has no clue”.
Musk then slammed the Microsoft CEO again in a podcast interview with the New York Time, saying: "Gates said something about me not knowing what I was doing.
"It's like, 'Hey, knucklehead, we actually make the vaccine machines for CureVac, that company you're invested in.'"
Who is richer between Elon Musk and Bill Gates?
It seems Musk got the last laugh between the pair, as in 2021 he became the richest man alive.
He has a staggering net worth of $260 billion (£206.95 billion).
Currently, Gates net worth sits at $129.7 billion (£104.73).
