The $10 Billion Grudge? Musk’s Explosive Link Between Epstein and Gates’ Tesla Short
Elon Musk is known for dropping digital "bombs," but his latest claim ties together two of the world's most talked-about figures in a shocking revenge narrative. According to Musk, a massive short-selling effort against Tesla wasn't just a business move—it was a personal retaliation orchestrated by Jeffrey Epstein.
The "Ghosting" That Cost Billions?
In a series of viral posts, Musk alleges that he "ghosted" Jeffrey Epstein after an initial meeting. The fallout, he claims, led Epstein to influence other billionaires—specifically Bill Gates—to bet against Tesla’s success.
"Someone should ask [Gates] how that’s working out," Musk quipped, referencing the massive losses short-sellers faced as Tesla’s valuation skyrocketed. $INIT
Fact vs. Friction: What We Know
While the internet is buzzing with theories, the reality is a mix of confirmed financial beef and unverified accusations:
The Gates Short is Real: Bill Gates has admitted to holding a short position against Tesla, which Musk claims was originally 1% of the company (roughly $500 million). With Tesla’s growth, Musk estimates this bet could have cost Gates upwards of $10 billion if left open. $MAGIC
The Epstein Connection: Musk claims Epstein "orchestrated" this effort as a "revenge short." While recent unsealed files (from late 2025 and early 2026) show both Musk and Gates had various levels of contact with Epstein, there is no public financial evidence to prove Epstein directed Gates' investment strategy.
The Counter-Argument: Spokespeople for Gates have consistently called these allegations "absurd," stating that Epstein often misrepresented his influence over the tech elite to "entrap and defame" them.$ZAMA
The Bottom Line
Whether this was a calculated move by a disgraced financier or simply a bad bet by a rival billionaire, one thing is certain: the feud between Musk and the "shorts" is far from over.