Elon Musk offers to sell Tesla stock if UN can show how $6 billion would solve world hunger

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

London (CNN Business)Elon Musk has offered to sell some of his Tesla (TSLA) stock "right now" if the UN can prove that $6 billion will solve world hunger.

His comments came after UN World Food Programme (WFP) director David Beasley challenged the ultra-wealthy — and in particular the world's two richest men Jeff Bezos and Musk — to "step up now, on a one-time basis" to help solve world hunger in an interview with CNN last week.

"$6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don't reach them. It's not complicated," Beasley said on CNN's Connect the World program with Becky Anderson. That sum would equate to roughly 2% of Musk's net wealth.

Posting on Twitter on Sunday, the Tesla chief executive said: "If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6 billion will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/01/business/elon-musk-tesla-stock-world-hunger/index.html

[Calista241]

1. at least they're talking about it.

[LittleGirl]

2. Why do I dislike that guy so much?

Greedy, self absorbed, just like 45? What is it?

[2naSalit]

7. And the other two...

Self entitled wealthy assholes. They didn't get that rich being nice guys.

[LiberalFighter]

11. You are not in the boat alone on this.

[PatSeg]

18. Yeah and I don't really trust him

If he really wanted to make a difference in the world, he wouldn't have to put out an unconvincing challenge on Twitter. He would just DO something. There are plenty of wealthy people who do use their money in constructive ways to make the world a better place and they often do it quietly without all the publicity and ego.

[FoxNewsSucks]

3. If it's only 2% of his fortune,

let him do it every year for 10 years then let's see the result.

[diverdownjt]

24. You first...

Easy to take 2% away from someone else isn't it.

[FoxNewsSucks]

27. Depend on how much they have left

That's the important statistic. You should already know that.

[diverdownjt]

34. I don't care how much he has left...

He's spending billion's on factories all over the world...construction jobs...soon to be manufacturing jobs..
hiring qualified engineer's everywhere for everything from rockets to cars...what are you doing?

[FoxNewsSucks]

36. He's a rightwinger now

Took government money when it helped him, ran crying to TX when he thought he might be expected to carry his load.

[diverdownjt]

37. OK...what ever...way off topic....

When your losing an argument you change the topic ...right?

So did the OIL companies for the last one hundred years(taking govt. money)...now the US govt is investing in the future.
No more OIL subsisdies. Biden said it yesterday. Invest and inovate our way...is the American way.
I'm glad the US govt. did...what was it for? can you remember w/o going to the internet...I'll have too because I'm old
and have a terrible memory. Go back and listen too a few hours of Carl Sagan for a while to see where
I'm coming from. I'm for the future of mankind...not corporate profit's..which I do believe he shares(Elon that is).
But you can't have one without the other...not in this world. Show me I'm wrong.

[FoxNewsSucks]

39. Hardly, it's exactly on topic.

Oil companies have screwed us for a century. I have no problem with subsidizing the shift to green energy. It's way past time to cut off the oil companies (and a lot of others), Musk doesn't need to suckle at the government teat anymore either, obviously. Let him pay his fair share like those who work for a living. He'll still be rich. Why should he or any of the billionaires get a free ride off the rest of us?

[diverdownjt]

41. You have missed the point entirely.

See other comments...like...Tax the Rich...right here on this thread. I'm for taxing the rich but I'm not for shaming then into philanthropy or just stealing it from them. We as a nation need to tax the wealth at it's creation point. When we get that right then your argument's might even make sense....until then do your research into what the man is doing before you take all his
wealth away out of ignorance.

[Walleye]

4. Solving world hunger? You'd think a guy who can shoot his own penis rocket could figure that out

Not going to solve world hunger, how about sustaining life for tens of millions of people? This guy has something missing in his brain

[hamsterjill]

5. He's an unstable genius in my opinion.

He's a genius, no doubt. But I'm with you in that there's something missing with this guy. He's not grounded in reality. That element always scares me.

I hope Beasley takes him up on his offer and gets something started.

[diverdownjt]

20. Is it because he's not American? perhaps this is your sticking point?

If you think you can stop world hunger by not letting him launch a penis rocket then guess again.

Go Elon...you just might get enough of us off this planet to survive....you know...whatever is coming next.
I for one don't want want all our eggs in one basket anymore...now more than ever.

[hamsterjill]

22. Nope.

He’s been hanging out in Texas living in a Boxabl home. I don’t care where he’s from.

I simply don’t think he’s a normal personality. And I stand by the old adage of “to those which much has been given, much is expected”.

He has enough money to both help mankind here on earth AND still fly his penis rocket….but Bezos’ looks more like a penis to me.

[diverdownjt]

26. It wasn't given to him...he earned it.

Now I know your not suggesting otherwise...sure he got a contract or two...but that is still earning it.

When he does get a million people on mars are you still going to say that?
I think that answers your "much is expected" remark. That's creating a new job market.

Progress isn't our enemy people...ignorance is. And yes I am for TAX the Rich?

[hamsterjill]

28. He's not going to get a million people on Mars.

I just don’t believe it’ll be him. He will tire of space penises and move on to something else

[diverdownjt]

30. Let's get back on topic here...

Did Elon Musk create the American society that currently think's it's ok to have homeless and hungry people?

No...he came here and started something with his brother called Paypal. They got rich...The American dream...right.
And now all you can do is bitch at him for being succesful. So...since he didn't create it why are you saying
he has to fix it or what...he can't play with his rocket ship's? You are not thinking straight about it at all.

Remember who it was that said we need to inovate our way out of this trouble(Carl Sagan or someone like that).
Who do you see doing any innovating right now...Tesla factories all over the world making product's for the future.
He has put more money into this economy than any other single individual...go ahead and prove me wrong...
but your your info better be correct.

[hamsterjill]

31. No, let's end this ridiculous exchange.

Have a nice day.

[FoxNewsSucks]

35. You seem to have forgotten the government assistance

given during Obama's presidency. Remember, your favorite "news" channel and rightwing hosts cried nonstop about the "EVIL SOCIALISM".

Tesla's success was greatly helped by the "bad ol' gubmint". And he's now turned into a greedy rightwinger.

We need to make sure this planet is livable and stays livable, because you're deluding yourself if you think you or any of us will be making the trip to live on Elysia with Musk and his ilk.

[diverdownjt]

45. Have you seen Austin Tx. lately....

How many gigafactories did he build there?...or in Germany or in so many other places?
Tax him yes...steal from him or make him pay so much more than any other NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

What you are asking for is wrong let alone legal. Change the tax law or shut up. And there's the rub........

[diverdownjt]

46. He is doing with his money what he wants....you have no say in the matter...

Do I have to make it any clearer...it's his money....govt.loans on research not withstanding.
Now he offers job's to all qualified comers.....get qualified. Then you too could benefit.

[malachi]

38. One year after Obama took office, Tesla got a $465 million federal loan to design electric vehicles

Self-made, my ass. Anti union punk.

[diverdownjt]

48. SEE comment #46

Musk made $165 million when PayPal was sold to eBay in 2002.[223] He was first listed on the Forbes Billionaires List in 2012, with a net worth of $2 billion.[224] No other mention's during this period 165>>>>>2 billion. Not self made...explain yourself.
This was lifted from Wiki...just like you did. $465 million for electric vehicle developement...where is the malfeasance?
I believe we have electric TESLA'S all over the place?

[manicdem]

43. Applies to most rich people

If they were normal like everyone else, they wouldn't be rich. I see what youre saying though.

Id be suspicious of where my money went if I were him. So much money is wasted on scams, things that don't work, or inefficiency. Things that kill a business in his mindset. Government spending also tends to be inefficient, with fewer % of the dollars going to solving the problem.

[TexasBushwhacker]

54. He's also on the autism spectrum

At least he says so. Communication and empathy aren't his strong suit.

[hamsterjill]

55. That fits.

n/t

[yaesu]

6. accumulating that kind of wealth by so few has a long-term accumulated effect on income inequality

you can't fix it overnight, you can begin to fix the problem by putting an end to unfettered capitalistic practices like accumulating massive wealth.

[diverdownjt]

21. Try taxing it..if only we could all agree on that.

We used to have tax rates as high as 70%....Im OK if we just make it 50% on everything over your first 500,000/yr.
And then pay for everything with it...food for the hungry...homes for those living outside...you know...stuff.
Then can we let the billionaire spend his money how he want's?

[NickB79]

8. When they respond, he'll nitpick it to death

And never pay up.

Like it takes a genius to calculate how much food $6 billion can buy on the global market.

[2naSalit]

9. It isn't enough to just throw money at it...

And expect a result without proper management of programs for which the funding is intended. If that is all he needs, I suspect the organization might deliver.

Fingers crossed.

[h2ebits]

40. +1000

I also think that he has made a simple request. He expects them to be accountable for where the money will be spent and how it will be spent.

His tweet is also a challenge to Jeff Bezos.

Both of them truly do need to give some of their money back to the world. It isn't doing anything just sitting in stocks or hidden accounts such as those in South Dakota.

[bucolic_frolic]

10. Stop building factories and start gardening

[taxi]

12. Showing how, even if only for a moment,

and not necessarily the same moment at the same time, seems like a doable administrative function. Let's go

[Mr. Ected]

13. I guess I'm the only one who actually has hope that this offer has merit

Instead of knee-jerk hatred for a man due to his wealth accumulation.

Not saying he's a choirboy or that he won't nitpick the details.

But if the UN wants to publicize the price point for solving world hunger, I would imagine they're more than willing to show their work.

We're eager to tax billionaires and, to be sure, that must continue to be a part of our agenda.

But when one of the richest men on the planet makes this offer based on what should be a slam-dunk reiteration of how $6B would help 42 million human beings conquer hunger, I'm listening.

If he f*x us, then I'll join in the cacophony of disdain.

[lamp_shade]

17. Nope. I feel the same way... I'll be listening too.

[Beastly Boy]

14. Musk is a cheap troll.

He knows full well that the WFP director wasn't talking about solving world hunger. Beasley was talking about preventing 42 million human deaths. This, in his informed estimation, is what $6 billion can do.

Musk is either an illiterate fuck who can't make sense of a simple English sentence, or he is a sadistic buffoon who thinks he is being clever. I suspect the latter. He is fully aware that his "offer" is totally illegitimate.

[larwdem]

15. Elon likes his money

on a twitter thread,, he's a asshole just like trump. fuck that guy.

[TygrBright]

16. You can always count on Elon for the move of maximum dickishness. n/t

[Baitball Blogger]

19. Just pay your fucking taxes, creep.

[diverdownjt]

23. They do..they just aren't being made to pay their own share...we need to

make the tax rates fair. Like the 15% corporate tax being talked about on the world stage right now.
Go for 50%...30%..20% whatever and charge all of us the same...when we make more than 80,000/yr.
Below that threshhold the rates are much lower...10-15%.

But please can we stop bicthing about billionaires and how they spend money. that will never change.
What would you do if you had that money? I'd already be in my starship heading outward. Bye bitches,.,.,.,.
Is what I'd be saying to all of you...but I'm not Elon.

[IronLionZion]

25. Did someone show him?

We should hold him to that. $6 billion can feed a hell of a lot of people and help farmers get fair prices for their crops. This is because food programs and food banks can buy a ridiculous amount of food super cheap directly from farmers and wholesalers.

Musk's net worth is around $292.6 billion so it really wouldn't be much for him to try it and see. He'd make headlines for sure if he's into that.

Some rich people want to be known for philanthropy.

[diverdownjt]

33. See comment # 30.

[ananda]

29. What a sick, sad mind.

I just can't describe how disgusting that kind of attitude is.

Musk knows that world hunger is endemic in a corporate,
colonialist world where the rich companies exploit the
third-worlders, including our own third-worlders right
here in America.

[diverdownjt]

32. That's why he's hiring people all over the world...to give them jobs...

so they can fend for themselves....and speaking of third worlder's He Is One.

[ananda]

42. I'm talking about the corporatist mentality.

What he said to the UN was a real insult and very
disingenuous.

[NickB79]

44. Creating jobs, like when he refused to shut down factories despite COVID outbreaks?

Yeah, such a humanitarian

[diverdownjt]

49. He's hiring are you

I didn't say he was Jesus...just not what you say he is.

[NickB79]

52. My factory, and the quality control lab I run within it, are hiring, yes

But our CEO takes COVID very seriously, not putting us in danger for bigger profits. So I'll stay where I'm at, thanks

[jcgoldie]

63. nice right wing talking point you repeated throughout this thread "job creators"!

Ignore the fact that he's a union busting right wing asshole. Koch's are "job creators" as well, it doesn't excuse the negative effect they have had on our society nor the extent to which Musk has taken public funds to enhance his own wealth on many occasions.

[waterwatcher123]

47. The UN Needs to Take Him at His Word

Lay it out in detail and make him improve the proposal, refute it or look like a fool.

[The Mouth]

50. I would like to see the plan

Hey, I love to donate to charity, but damned if I'm going to give a cent to any charity that can't show exactly what my money is going for, how it's used, and provide accountability.

[diverdownjt]

51. Why becsause you want another episode of jerry springer?

What are we talking here?

[Javaman]

53. Sociopath nt

[JanMichael]

56. Shit, pirate equity is raising 5 billion to buy rental properties to raise rents.

This is one of many examples of multi billion dollar deals cooking this year alone.

6 billion is a joke.

[reACTIONary]

57. There are only two reasons why world hunger exists...

... war, and corrupt governments. I can't see the UN being able to resolve either.

[reACTIONary]

58. The one thing I'm thankful for is that...

... Musk is ineligible for the presidency. We don't need yet another cult of personality.

[Joinfortmill]

59. He's an ass.

[Kaleva]

60. Hunger is primarily a distribution problem.

We have farmers in Wisconsin going bankrupt in record numbers because supply is much greater then demand.

[LiberatedUSA]

61. I don't get the hate here.

He offers to give $6 Billion to world hunger, if the UN can show how they will spend the donation.

What the hell is there to hate? I thought we wanted the rich to give money to those who need it.

[Yorkist]

64. I think....

….the “hate” is down to his poor persona, not helped by randomly picking fights etc. I recall him - when the Thai kids were trapped in the cave - abusing on s/m a guy who was a volunteer rescue diver, called him a “peado-guy” on account, as far as I could see, of him suggesting Musks own rescue plans were a bit………attention seeking.

It struck me as vindictive, unless of course he had some evidence, and marks him out as not easy to like for a lot of peeps I dare say.

Musk can read, and he can read just fine when a UN rep’ says “$6billion would save 42 million people”.

He knows full and well that’s not the same as claiming $6billion would end the entire world hunger problem - but insults people’s intelligence by building a straw man right in front of all of us.

A bit odd really, are we supposed to just indulge him on account of his genius ?

[LiberatedUSA]

66. Ok, I think I see what you are saying.

It was more snark than genuine.

[Hav]

62. This back and forth is the result

of clickbait choices for headlines that simplify and even mischaracterize what was said. CNN later corrected their headline.

Musk responded to a headline titled "2% of Elon Musk's wealth could solve world hunger" which is of course nonsense. Those 6 billion were meant as a one-time help for this year. Nevertheless, people go crazy and argue how little 2% is for him and that he should pay up. Then he asks how 6 billion will solve world hunger and people apparently think that's disgusting as well.

I don't like the guy but I hope there will be a real exchange between the UN and the wealthy to get it funded.

[DFW]

65. I would be skeptical of letting the UN administer $6 billion unsupervised

We know people who work for the UN in Geneva, already one of Europe‘s most expensive places. They love their lavish „administrative costs.“ Out of the $142 per person that is the result of dividing $6 billion by 42 million, the starving people would be lucky if half of that was spent on food for them, though it is better than nothing.

About 5 years after he left office, Bill Clinton was comparing administrative costs for charitable programs while he was in office to what they were for his CGI. He said they were about 25% for the government-run programs compared to about 4% for the CGI. When asked why the costs were so much higher when the government was running things, he immediately said, „because we were stupid, that‘s why!“