In a fiery clash of tech titans, Elon Musk unleashed a scathing response when Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist, revealed he had chosen an electric Porsche Taycan over a Tesla for his first electric vehicle (EV) purchase. The incident, which unfolded in February 2020, saw Musk publicly dismiss Gates as “underwhelming” on X, igniting a storm of controversy and highlighting the intense rivalry in the burgeoning EV market. The reason behind Musk’s outburst lies in a mix of personal pride, competitive tension, and a deeper feud exacerbated by Gates’ financial moves against Tesla.
The saga began when Gates, during an interview with YouTuber Marques Brownlee, praised Tesla’s pivotal role in driving the EV revolution, stating, “If you had to name one company that’s helped drive [lower emissions], it’s them.” Yet, he admitted to purchasing a Porsche Taycan, calling it “very, very cool” and noting its premium price of $150,900 for the Turbo model—far higher than Tesla’s Model S, which starts at $79,900. Gates’ decision to opt for a rival’s luxury EV, despite acknowledging Tesla’s contributions, struck a nerve with Musk, who took to X to vent his frustration. “My conversations with Gates have been underwhelming tbh,” Musk tweeted, a pointed jab that stunned fans and analysts alike.
The root of Musk’s fury runs deeper than a simple car purchase. Gates, a long-time Porsche enthusiast who famously bought a Porsche 911 in 1979, had a history of favoring the German brand, which likely irked Musk, whose Tesla brand prides itself on leading the EV charge. More significantly, Musk’s resentment was fueled by Gates’ financial actions against Tesla. In 2022, leaked text messages revealed Musk’s outrage after learning Gates had taken a massive short position against Tesla stock, betting on the company’s decline. “Sorry, I cannot take your philanthropy on climate change seriously when you have a massive short position against Tesla,” Musk wrote, rejecting a potential collaboration. This betrayal, coupled with Gates’ Taycan purchase, likely amplified Musk’s sense of personal and professional affront.
The Porsche Taycan itself added fuel to the fire. Introduced in 2019 as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model S, the Taycan set a lap record for a four-door electric sports car at Germany’s Nürburgring, a feat that prompted Musk to announce Tesla would test a Model S on the same track. When Top Gear depicted a Taycan beating a Model S in a race, Musk publicly challenged the results, showing his sensitivity to comparisons. The Taycan’s success—outselling Porsche’s Panamera and even the iconic 911 in Europe by September 2020—underscored the growing threat to Tesla’s dominance, making Gates’ choice a symbolic blow.
On X, the reaction was electric. Tesla fans, like the account Tesletter, expressed disappointment, arguing Gates’ comments could deter EV adoption by highlighting range anxiety—a concern Musk dismissed, given Tesla’s superior 390-mile range compared to the Taycan’s 201 miles. “I’m disappointed because people will trust Bill’s word and not even consider EVs,” Tesletter posted, prompting Musk’s viral retort. Meanwhile, Gates’ supporters defended his choice, with one user noting, “He’s only saving millions of lives around the world…” Others jabbed at Tesla’s customer service, amplifying the feud’s public spectacle.
Musk’s outburst reflects his combative style, seen in past spats with Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, but the Gates feud carries unique weight. Both share a commitment to climate solutions, with Gates praising Tesla’s “gigantic contribution” to EVs, yet their visions clash. Gates’ focus on systemic issues like battery costs and long-range transport contrasts with Musk’s relentless push for Tesla’s market supremacy.
As the dust settles, the Musk-Gates clash remains a fascinating chapter in the EV saga, exposing the egos and stakes in a rapidly evolving industry. Musk’s fury, driven by Gates’ Porsche purchase and financial disloyalty, underscores the personal stakes in Tesla’s mission. While Gates enjoys his “cool” Taycan, Musk’s drive to prove Tesla’s superiority burns brighter than ever, ensuring this rivalry will continue to spark headlines.
