Whether or not you recognize him for accolades, area explorations, “self-driving” autos, or as the present CEO of Twitter and Tesla, there is not any doubt that Elon Musk has been concerned in a number of questionable actions.
His public relationship with Grimes, allegedly poor remedy of his staff, and his buy of Twitter and subsequent unbanning of many controversial folks are only a few of the explanations Musk has obtained backlash in recent times.
Even solid members from “SNL” did not approve of his look on the present again in 2021, and the Technoking of Tesla apparently wasn’t a fan-favorite amongst some collection regulars who made no secret of their disdain.
Throughout his opening monologue, Musk had viewers scratching their heads when he revealed that he has Asperger’s syndrome, saying, “I am truly making historical past tonight as the primary particular person with Asperger’s to host ‘SNL.’ Or not less than the primary to confess it. So I will not make plenty of eye contact with the solid tonight…”
Whereas that is not technically true — “SNL” alum Dan Aykroyd was recognized with Asperger’s syndrome in his youth — some applauded Musk for bringing consideration to neurodiversity. Nonetheless, others described this reveal as “self-serving and hole, a poor try at laundering his picture as a heartless billionaire extra involved with cryptocurrency and rocket ships than the lives of others.”
Musk’s episode garnered consideration for all of the unsuitable causes, and whereas it’s actually apparent that common on a regular basis folks aren’t Musk’s greatest followers, it’s much less apparent why the Tesla founder is getting such a important response.
Why achieve this many individuals hate Elon Musk?
Whereas many individuals love him, there are some extra apparent, albeit subjective causes to dislike Musk. He’s not precisely identified to be probably the most humble, down-to-earth of individuals. And because the richest man on the earth, it’s not stunning his success and wealth rub so many individuals the unsuitable method.
However Musk has additionally had his share of particular, controversial moments that may very well be sufficient for many individuals to level out.
Listed here are 15 causes folks dislike Elon Musk a lot.
1. Musk is taken into account one of many largest contributors to the worldwide wealth hole.
Now, changing into one of many richest folks alive is considerably spectacular. I’m positive even those that rage in opposition to Musk can grant him some stage of admiration. However finally, many really feel questions must be requested about whether or not or not anybody can grow to be a billionaire by moral means. Do you make a billion {dollars} — or do you’re taking a billion {dollars}?
Longtime “SNL” solid member Aidy Bryant appeared to take a refined jab at Musk when she shared a screenshot of a Bernie Sanders tweet that learn, “The 50 wealthiest folks in America at this time personal extra wealth than the underside half of our folks. Let me repeat that, as a result of it’s nearly too absurd to consider: the 50 wealthiest folks on this nation personal extra wealth than some 165 MILLION People. That could be a ethical obscenity.”
Why folks love him for it: Whereas many individuals specific dislike in direction of millionaires and billionaires, basically, some people might discover it admirable! It could trigger them to consider that they, too, can grow to be rich at some point in the event that they comply with in Musk’s footsteps.
2. He as soon as referred to as a rescue diver who saved Thai schoolboys a ‘pedo man.’
After Musk’s assist was refused in an operation to rescue 12 Thai boys trapped in a collapse 2018, the Tesla CEO branded the 64-year-old diver who saved the kids a “pedo man.” He later testified in court docket that this was a typical phrase in his dwelling nation of South Africa and didn’t have any connotations of pedophilia. OK, Elon.
The diver had accused Musk of attempting to make the rescue mission right into a PR stunt by providing a submarine that was by no means used. Musk later received a defamation case taken in opposition to him by the diver.
3. Musk shared what many consider to be misinformation about Covid-19.
Musk labeled the lethal virus “not very lethal” and claimed, after many weak younger folks died of Covid-19, that younger folks weren’t weak to Covid-19. He additionally claimed that shelter-in-place orders used to guard lives had been “fascist.”
Then, when Musk himself contracted Covid-19, he questioned the legitimacy of coronavirus exams after he had gotten each optimistic and adverse take a look at outcomes whereas exhibiting early signs of the virus.
He additionally acknowledged that he and his kids wouldn’t be getting the Covid-19 vaccine when one grew to become out there.
Why folks love him for it: People who find themselves in opposition to mandates, sporting masks, vaccines basically, or consider Covid to be a hoax is perhaps on board with Musk’s feedback, notably as they relate to fascism.
4. He has been accused of exposing Tesla staff to Covid-19.
Musk defied state orders by reopening Tesla’s Fremont Manufacturing facility in Alameda County, California, regardless of a statewide lockdown throughout the pandemic. He was later held answerable for a coronavirus outbreak on the plant that endangered a number of staff. Nonetheless, reasonably than apologize and let his staff shelter-in-place at dwelling, he filed a lawsuit in opposition to the county.
Musk later dropped the go well with and was allowed to reopen on the situation that security and social distancing measures be taken on the manufacturing unit.
5. Musk is believed to be colonizing outer area.
Musk claims his plan to create a civilization in area will end in a “dramatically improved” life. Improved for who precisely, we don’t but know. His utopian plan to maneuver a million folks to Mars by 2050 includes creating loans that individuals can be required to pay again by work upon their arrival.
If this idea sounds acquainted to you it’s since you had been listening throughout historical past class whenever you discovered about indentured servitude, which was used to create low-cost labor by settlers in America.
Why folks love him for it: With local weather change plaguing our planet, some people might really feel hopeful that humanity can escape earth to reside on one other planet.
6. He as soon as claimed faculty is a waste of time.
Musk says faculty is “principally for enjoyable” and “not for studying.” And a few would possibly agree. However it’s a fairly straightforward factor for a person with two faculty levels to say. In fact, these struggling to fund their faculty levels or those that can not afford to even go to varsity would possibly disagree.
The assertion was additionally notably ironic provided that job descriptions for Musk’s SpaceX require a bachelor’s diploma and, in some situations, desire a grasp’s diploma.
7. Musk has been accused of sexual misconduct and profiting from staff.
Musk was as soon as pressured to apologize after a report detailed how outsourced staff for Tesla had been paid as little as $5. A number of years later it was dominated that Musk was violating labor legal guidelines by firing a Tesla union activist and discouraging staff from unionizing.
Tesla has additionally been hit with allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, racism, and homophobia.
8. He has been accused of manipulating the cryptocurrency market.
The place the crypto market is meant to be free from the affect of 1 particular person, Musk’s tweets alone have pushed the costs up and down of sure cryptocurrencies.
Again in Might 2021, Musk tweeted that Tesla would not settle for bitcoin as cost. After the tweet, the worth of bitcoin dropped 15%.
After a Twitter consumer requested if Musk would promote Tesla’s crypto holdings, the worth dropped even decrease. One week later, Musk referred to as consideration to the environmental impression that bitcoin has, sending costs hovering.
In early June 2021, Musk tweeted a meme that despatched the worth of bitcoin down 5%, and only a few weeks later lastly introduced that Tesla would accept bitcoin once more, resulting in an 8% improve in value.
Throughout all this, Musk revealed that he was working with dogecoin builders, growing the crypto value by 30%! Alongside together with his tweets affecting the market, in February 2021, Tesla bought $1.5 billion in bitcoin, after which bought 10% of it.
Why folks love him for it: Anybody aware of the crypto market might discover it refreshing that Musk’s phrases have such a huge effect. As an example, those that personal dogecoin most likely see their investments skyrocket when Musk impacts the market so intensely.
9. Musk’s firm Neuralink was accused of animal cruelty.
In February 2022, Neuralink, a neurotechnology firm that Musk co-founded, was hit with a criticism from the U.S. Division of Agriculture, together with a nonprofit advocacy group referred to as Physicians Committee for Accountable Drugs, alleging animal testing and abuse.
In accordance with data, the advocacy group claims gross negligence and abuse of 23 macaque monkeys who had been used as a part of experiments to implant chips within the brains of the creatures, main to fifteen of the monkeys dying.
It is alleged that an unapproved substance referred to as “BioGlue” was used on the monkeys’ brains, monkeys had been put in cages alone, the monkeys suffered from infections and seizures, and that staff did not give correct care.
The group additionally claimed that any photographic or video proof was withheld.
10. Individuals have alleged that his relationship with Grimes was abusive.
Although Elon Musk and Grimes ended their relationship earlier than the delivery of their second youngster, there’s loads of hypothesis that there was abuse of their partnership.
One principle claims that Grimes wrote an nameless Reddit put up describing Musk’s controlling habits. “My (31f) boyfriend (49m) satisfied me that we wanted to cease speaking to my mother. I discovered why and it is messing me up,” the put up mentioned.
The consumer’s story shares a number of similarities with Grimes and Musk’s relationship. Whereas pregnant, the consumer’s boyfriend refused to take her to the hospital and solely believed she was struggling problems after her physician mentioned she nearly died. Grimes ultimately revealed that she nearly died from problems throughout her being pregnant.
One other similarity is Musk’s relationship with Grimes’ mom.
Within the consumer’s put up, she mentioned her boyfriend and mom did not get alongside, and her boyfriend was allegedly a part of Males’s Rights activists teams. After Musk tweeted, “Take the pink tablet” two weeks after his son was born, Grimes’ mother tweeted at Musk, “In case your accomplice went by a difficult being pregnant and childbirth within the final two weeks… And also you had been over 16 years outdated, would you be blaring MRA bulls*** on Twitter proper now?”
11. He in contrast Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler.
In February 2022, as a response to Trudeau’s makes an attempt to quash a protest by Canadian truckers, relating to Covid restrictions, Musk tweeted a meme of Adolf Hitler with the caption “Cease evaluating me to Justin Trudeau. I had a funds.”
In January 2022, truckers blocked the Canadian-US border, in addition to in cities, protesting a mandate requiring people coming into Canada and the US to be vaccinated.
Trudeau issued a public order emergency, permitting a ban on public meeting and enabling the seizure of vehicles utilized in blockades. As well as, a part of the Emergencies Act ordered “monetary corporations to stop facilitating any transactions from 34 crypto wallets tied to funding trucker-led protests within the nation.”
Everyone knows how a lot Musk loves cryptocurrency. Nonetheless, Musk’s now-deleted tweet was in poor style, for apparent causes.
12. Musk is an in depth good friend of controversial rapper Kanye West.
Even earlier than West’s extremely public and regarding abusive feedback in direction of Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson, Musk was presupposed to be an in depth good friend of the rapper.
They share related controversial opinions, and Musk has defended West’s habits. In 2015, Musk wrote a blurb for TIME’s 100 Most Influential Individuals, saying, “The dude would not consider in false modesty, and he should not… However Kanye does assume. Continually. About all the things.”
Musk and West additionally help each other’s companies, with Musk sporting Yeezy sneakers and West driving a Tesla. Musk even supported West’s announcement to run for president within the 2020 election.
There have additionally been discussions that West desires to enter area with Musk.
Why folks love him for it: People who find themselves followers of Kanye West’s music, and discover no concern together with his outlandish habits, would possibly really feel they’ve each motive to help an ally of Ye. Apart from, not many individuals share Ye’s perception in sure conspiracy theories and points.
13. He is made transphobic feedback.
In June 2020, whereas people had been expressing their solidarity and inclusivity of the transgender neighborhood, Musk tweeted out “Pronouns suck.”
Instantly, Musk obtained backlash — not simply from followers however from Grimes, who responded along with her personal now-deleted tweet, “I really like you however please flip off ur telephone or give me a dall [sic]. I can not help this hate. Please cease this. I do know this isn’t your coronary heart.”
It should not be stunning that trans people are in danger for violence perpetrated in opposition to them, with not less than 375 trans folks murdered in 2021 within the US alone.
14. He appears to essentially hate public transportation.
Born into wealth and now the richest particular person on the earth, whereas Musk is planning to terraform Mars, common, on a regular basis persons are taking public transportation to get to and from locations.
However it appears that evidently Musk is a powerful opponent of public transportation, and in 2017, on the Convention on Neural Info Processing Programs, Musk mentioned, “I believe public transport is painful. It sucks. Why do you need to get on one thing with plenty of different folks, that does not depart the place you need it to depart, would not begin the place you need it to begin, would not finish the place you need it to finish? … That is why everybody would not prefer it. And there is like a bunch of random strangers, certainly one of who is perhaps a serial killer, OK, nice. And in order that’s why folks like individualized transport, that goes the place you need, whenever you need.”
An viewers member then identified that Japan’s transportation system is efficient, with Musk brushing the questions off.
These feedback present simply how entitled and privileged Musk is, by no means having to fret about “painful” public transportation, and as an alternative free to roam across the universe in a SpaceX ship.
Why folks love him for it: Those that really feel public transportation is lower than very best might actually agree that touring with strangers does, certainly, suck. And so they may additionally really feel validated that somebody with such affect helps their precise ideas.
15. He appears to get away with all of it freed from penalties.
Whether or not you like or hate him, there is not any doubt that Musk has by no means needed to actually reply for his less-than-tasteful feedback on quite a lot of points, utilizing his platform to rile folks up as an alternative of actually utilizing his affect to make a distinction.
Because the richest particular person on the earth, with a internet value of $267.3 billion, he is free from worrying about paying fines, proudly owning as much as his controversial feedback, and utilizing his wealth to squash the narrative of those that oppose him.
He successfully bends actuality to persuade others that he is not unsuitable, and god forbid anybody disagree. In accordance with a former Tesla government, “Elon has an uncanny means to inform a narrative he desires to be true, persuade himself that it needs to be true, after which persuade others.”
Alice Kelly is YourTango’s Deputy Information and Leisure Editor. Primarily based in Brooklyn, New York, her work covers all issues social justice, popular culture, and human curiosity.
