Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are two of the most influential and powerful tech billionaires in the world. They are also known for their rivalry and disagreements on various issues, such as artificial intelligence, social media, and politics. Their feud has worsened recently after Zuckerberg launched Threads, a new app to rival Twitter, which Musk acquired last year.
The origins of their dispute can traced back to 2016, when Musk’s SpaceX rocket exploded on a launch pad, destroying a Facebook satellite that supposed to provide internet access to Africa. Zuckerberg expressed his disappointment and said “deeply disappointed to hear that SpaceX’s launch failure destroyed our satellite”. Musk responded that it was “not a Facebook satellite” but rather one owned by the French company Eutelsat.
Since then, the two tech tycoons have clashed on several occasions, especially on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI). Musk has warned that AI poses an existential threat to humanity and called for more regulation and oversight. He also famously said that Zuckerberg’s understanding of AI was “limited”. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, has been more optimistic about AI and its potential to improve lives. He also accused Musk of being “irresponsible” and “pretty negative” for spreading fear about AI.
Their fight intensified after Musk entered the social media arena by buying Twitter in a billion-dollar deal last year. Musk has made several controversial changes to the platform, such as charging for verification, banning political ads and introducing paid subscriptions. He has also used Twitter to voice his support for conservative politicians and causes, such as Donald Trump, Brexit, and cryptocurrency.
pic.twitter.com/MbMxUWiQgp— Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) July 6, 2023
Zuckerberg, who owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been critical of Musk’s approach to social media and accused him of spreading misinformation and polarizing society. He also launched Threads, a new app that mimics Twitter’s features and aims to attract users who dissatisfied with Musk’s policies. He announced his first tweet in 11 years with a subtle dig at Musk, posting a meme of two Spidermen pointing at each other.
I’m up for a cage match if he is lol— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023
The two tech titans have also challenged to a cage fight by some fans and media outlets, who have speculated about who would win in a physical confrontation. While Musk has jokingly accepted the challenge and claimed he has a special move called “The Walrus”, Zuckerberg has not responded directly but has shown his skills in mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu.
The fight between Musk and Zuckerberg shows no signs of lessening as they compete for dominance in the tech industry and influence in the public sphere. Their rivalry reflects their different visions, values, and personalities, as well as their ambitions to shape the future of humanity.