Musk vs Khosla: A Controversial Clash
Elon Musk is embroiled in a controversy with Indian-American venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, who has accused the Tesla CEO of racism. The spat ignited after Musk made a post suggesting that "White people are a rapidly diminishing minority of the global population." Khosla reacted strongly, claiming that Musk is not promoting "Make America Great Again" but rather a version that favors white Americans.
Khosla took to social media to allege that Musk's views reflect a racist mindset, branding Musk's intentions as "WAGA" or "white America great again." His comments suggested that non-white employees at Tesla and other Musk-owned companies should leave and join his portfolio instead.
In response, Musk didn’t hold back. He labeled Khosla as “pompous” and reiterated accusations that Khosla had tried to block public access to a beach near his home, a claim Musk has previously made. He emphasized his own diversity by stating, “My partner, Shivon, is half Indian and my eldest son with her is named in honor of the great Indian physicist Chandrasekhar.”
This exchange is just one chapter in an ongoing saga of public disagreements between the two billionaires. Musk had previously encouraged Khosla to support Donald Trump during the 2024 US elections, which Khosla resisted, citing Trump's lack of values and his controversial behavior towards immigrants and women.
Adding another layer to the drama, Khosla, who was an early backer of OpenAI, defended the organization against Musk's lawsuits, describing Musk's actions as "sour grapes." Khosla highlighted that Musk's late entry into the AI race and lack of commitment were reasons for his frustrations, leading to legal battles instead of collaborative efforts.
This public feud not only illustrates the personal tensions between Musk and Khosla but also reflects broader themes of race, politics, and the competitive nature of the tech industry. As the story unfolds, it will be interesting to see how their rivalry develops and what implications it may have for their respective ventures.
