The claim highlights long-standing tension between the two billionaires over Tesla and market bets.
Elon Musk said Bill Gates’ decision to short Tesla stock may have resulted in losses of up to $10 billion. The figure has not been independently verified, and Gates has not publicly commented on the claim.
Elon Musk said that Bill Gates’ short position on Tesla stock may have cost the Microsoft co-founder as much as $10 billion. Musk made the claim publicly, though no independent confirmation of the figure has been released.
A short position involves betting that a stock’s price will fall. Tesla’s share price has risen significantly over recent years, meaning investors holding short positions would face mounting losses as the stock climbed.
Musk and Gates have previously acknowledged disagreements over Tesla and climate-related investments. In past exchanges, Musk criticized Gates for shorting Tesla while also advocating for climate action, arguing that the positions were inconsistent.
There is no public disclosure detailing the size, timing, or duration of Gates’ Tesla short position. Financial experts note that estimating losses from a short position depends on multiple variables, including entry price, exit timing, and hedging strategies.
Gates has not publicly confirmed Musk’s estimate, and representatives for Gates have not commented on the claim. As a result, the $10 billion figure remains an assertion rather than a verified financial outcome.
The exchange underscores broader debates among high-profile investors over electric vehicles, market speculation, and the risks associated with short selling highly volatile stocks like Tesla.
