Elon Musk claims that if the United Nations can put together a good plan, he will spend $6 billion right now to end world hunger.
Over the weekend, Elon Musk issued a challenge to the United Nations. It wasn’t about his businesses or his current favorite cryptocurrency, the Dogecoin, but about something far more serious: world hunger. In response to UN World Food Program (WFP) director David Beasley, who told CNN that a one-time donation of 2% of Musk’s or billionaires’ fortune might end global hunger, Musk kind of agreed to give his money, but only if the UN devises the correct approach.
“If WFP can explain on this Twitter thread exactly how $6 billion would eliminate world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it,” Musk replied in response to a message from Deep Instinct co-founder Dr. Eli David. David tweeted a screenshot of the CNN piece citing Beasley, as well as some humor about the World Food Programme’s efforts to end global hunger. Musk joined him in sending some provocative tweets, although he added later, “But it must be open source accounting, so the public can see exactly how the money is spent.”
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is worth more than $300 billion, and according to Beasley, 2% of this fortune – almost $6 billion – will “assist 42 million people who are literally going to die if we don’t reach them.” It’s not difficult.” However, in the same Twitter discussion, Beasley clarified an article that he believed had been misconstrued.
“We’ve never suggested $6 billion [billion] would end world hunger,” Beasley wrote. This is a one-time gift to help prevent 42 million people from starvation during this historic food crisis. The $8.4 billion you mention is enough to reach 115 million people with food assistance by 2020. Due to the perfect storm of Covid, violence, and climate shocks, we need $6 billion extra NOW on top of our existing financing requirements.”
He then responded to Elon Musk with a series of tweets. “”Let’s chat: It’s not quite as complicated as Falcon Heavy, but there’s far too much at stake not to at least talk about it. I’ll be able to get to you on the next flight. If you don’t like what you hear, throw me out!” – Beasley posted on Twitter, identifying Musk directly.
“Please publish your present & proposed spending in detail so people can see exactly where the money goes,” Musk wrote, amused by the WFP director’s clarification. He even included a link to a story alleging UN officials’ sexual misconduct.
Even though he is known for his eccentric actions, such as smoking marijuana on a spacecraft or giving his youngest child an unpronounceable name, Musk has a history of speaking out about serious issues, such as sending the value of his favorite cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, through the roof by purchasing a pet dog. However, his brother, Kimbal Musk, who has dedicated his life to sustainable eating, inspired him to sell stocks to help to the eradication of world hunger.
For the time being, the challenge appears to be open on both sides. While Musk wants the World Food Program’s ledger to be made public, the organization’s director wants Musk to have a dialogue with him about how billionaires might end world hunger.
Tesla, the electric vehicle business, also joined a group of corporations valued at more than $1 trillion last week.
Musk is now worth almost $100 billion more than Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest man.
On Friday, Microsoft reclaimed its title as the world’s most valuable corporation, with a market capitalization of $2.46 trillion, after Apple’s entire value fell by about 4% to $2.41 trillion due to a share price decline.
This happened after Apple’s stock dropped just under 4% following lower-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue. Microsoft jumped 1.1 percent to overtake Apple after reporting higher-than-expected sales for the 11th quarter in a row.
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For the first time since early 2020, Microsoft has outperformed Apple in terms of market capitalization. The firm is on track to have its best week since January.
Musk is already worth more than Egypt, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Greece, Qatar, and Finland’s annual GDP.
He’s also worth more than PayPal, the company he co-founded, as well as Netflix, the streaming powerhouse.
Musk is worth more than the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, New York Knicks, and top-level soccer teams Barcelona and Real Madrid ($25.4 billion), according to Forbes.
Experts recently predicted that Musk will become the world’s first trillionaire, but that his riches would come from SpaceX rather than Tesla.