Elon Musk is not one to pay compliments to his rivals.
This is even more true when it comes to those who are just as popular as him.
The CEO of Tesla (TSLA) is more the type to attack iconic figures, whoever they may be. That's what he did recently with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was the face of America's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk went so far as to say that the eminent epidemiologist should be prosecuted.
"My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci," the billionaire wrote last December.
Since then he has not stopped attacking Fauci.
"Much will come to light as Fauci loses power," he also said.
Musk, who was opposed to lockdowns, appears to hold Fauci responsible for the strict restrictions adopted to limit the spread of the virus.
Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates is also an example of Musk's propensity to prey on those who are revered and celebrated. Last year he did not hesitate to use a cruel emoji to insult Gates.
"In case u need to lose a boner fast," the billionaire said about Gates.
Musk Goes Soft on Soros
But there are a few exceptions, including billionaire George Soros, even though he donates to organizations and politicians who promote the progressive values Musk has made it his mission to fight. He describes these values under the generic name of "woke mind virus," which has become the catch-all phrase for conservatives in the culture war.
Musk recently had the opportunity to criticize Soros. It was in January, when a Twitter user, in an imaginary scenario where the legendary investor is interviewed on Twitter Space, he asked Musk what question he would direct at Soros.
Musk chimed in and rather played it soft.
"Do you actually know where your money is going?" Musk responded on Jan. 16.
He has just had a golden opportunity to attack the financier, who is hated by the conservatives, who have become big fans of Musk when he decided to make Twitter a bastion of free speech, following his acquisition of the platform last October.
Former Republican President Donald Trump said on Mar. 18 that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday, March 21 in a case involving hush money paid to women who alleged sexual encounters with him.
The investigation is led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, who inherited the yearlong Trump investigation, when he took office in January 2022.
'Clever Arbitrage'
In a post, Trump accused Bragg, without proof, of taking orders from Soros, a mega-donor to the Democratic Party. Soros had supported Bragg's campaign through the Color Of Change PAC.
This line of attack has been used since then by Trump's supporters and the conservatives. They see Bragg as a pawn of Soros. This is what appeared in a tweet from a Twitter user on Mar. 18:
"Corrupt New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg received $1 million from Soros in his election for NYC DA," the user said without providing evidence of Bragg's corruption.
Musk didn't hesitate to comment. Instead of crucifying Soros, who is a Tesla shareholder, since Musk himself warned that arresting Trump would allow him to win the 2024 presidential election with landslide, he instead saw it as fine strategy on the part of the financier.
"Soros figured out a clever arbitrage opportunity," the billionaire said. "The many small political contests, such as DAs & judges, have much higher impact per dollar spent than the big races, so it is far easier to sway the outcome."
Musk seems to be saying that Soros was just being smart for channelling his political contributions in the direction of the biggest impact. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed last summer, the legendary investor said that he has "no intention of stopping" to support progressive candidates running to become prosecutors or for reelection.
"The funds I provide enable sensible reform-minded candidates to receive a hearing from the public. Judging by the results, the public likes what it's hearing," Soros said.
Soros, who is the subject of many conspiracy theories from the right and from extremists, is accused by his critics of supporting lax candidates for prosecutorial posts, which have contributed to the rise in crime in the cities under their authority.
