Elon Musk finally decided to respond after Billie Eilish labeled him a “pathetic coward” for keeping his wealth secure while the world struggles. He tweeted back last night, referencing a previous tweet discussing her Instagram posts, saying, “She’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
Eilish targeted Musk during her acceptance speech at the WSJ Innovator Awards, emphasizing how billionaires are hoarding their riches when people, especially in the U.S., really need support and compassion now more than ever. Following that event, Musk’s wealth has only continued to increase, putting him on track to potentially become the world’s first trillionaire—thanks to an ambitious compensation deal with Tesla.
In her Instagram stories, Billie shared infographics from the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ movement, highlighting ways Musk can use his extensive wealth for good. He hasn’t officially reached that trillionaire milestone yet (he would need Tesla’s market cap to grow significantly to hit the $8.5 trillion mark), but the information provided showcased feasible options for someone with his kind of money.
Among the suggestions was that Musk could end hunger globally by dedicating $40 billion each year for the next five years. Additionally, it was pointed out that providing universal access to clean water would take just $140 billion annually over seven years. Based on his response, it seems he’s not too inclined to take action on these proposals.
During her speech, Eilish committed to donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to various charities. Speaking in front of wealthy attendees, including Mark Zuckerberg, worth over $225 billion, she challenged, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?”
Eilish passionately remarked, “Right now, the world feels really dark and challenging. People really need empathy and help more than ever, especially in our country. It would be amazing if those with wealth could use it for positive action and support those who are less fortunate.”
