The eccentric Tesla boss offered to “solve world hunger” by selling 6 billion Tesla shares.
Could the world’s richest man end world hunger? Last month, the director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) David Beasley had invited Elon Musk on Twitter to save “42 million people from starvation” by investing $6.6 billion in an action program against hunger. A substantial sum, but which only represents 2% of Elon Musk’s total wealth, reported the site of CNN Business recently. Good news, this “unique opportunity” launched on Twitter, seems to have made its way.
Congratulations to @elonmusk for passing up @JeffBezos as the world’s richest person – worth a whopping $221B! 🥇 Elon, to celebrate I’m offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity: help us save 42M people from starvation for just $6.6B!! Offer expires SOON.. and lives do too.
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 19, 2021
Always on Twitter, Elon Musk responded to David Beasley’s invitation on Sunday. The boss of SpaceX has thus explained that he was ready to sell for 6 billion shares of Tesla to overcome hunger in the world, provided that the world food program of the UN is able to establish precisely how the funds would be used. “If the WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6 billion will solve world hunger, I’ll sell Tesla stock right away” promised the American boss, while specifying that it should be “open source accounting, so the public can see exactly how the money is being spent”.
If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2021
But it must be open source accounting, so the public sees precisely how the money is spent.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2021
Obviously, Elon Musk’s pledge quickly sparked UN interest. David Beasley thus assured the American billionaire that the WFP was able to provide him with a transparent and trustworthy open-source action plan. However, he measured his words, explaining that the 6 billion would not completely eradicate hunger in the world, but that the funds will prevent “geopolitical instability, mass migration and will save 42 million people from the brink of starvation”.
.@elonmusk! Headline not accurate. $6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises.
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 31, 2021
It remains to be seen how Elon Musk will decide to conclude this new philanthropic opportunity. For the moment, the businessman has not responded to David Beasley’s latest messages. At the same time, Tesla is doing well. The company has just exceeded 1000 billion dollars in market valuation.