A United Nations official has responded to Tesla Inc. TSLA CEO Elon Musk’s recent tweets by saying he can explain how the world’s richest man can help solve world hunger.
What Happened: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Director David Beasley said on Twitter that he is ready to meet Musk anywhere on Earth, or in space, to explain how the billionaire can help the organization in alleviating world hunger.
.@elonmusk Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books.
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) November 1, 2021
Beasley added that while a donation of $6 billion from Musk would not solve world hunger, it would help prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the verge of starvation.
.@elonmusk! Headline not accurate. $6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises.
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 31, 2021
The WFP, the food-assistance branch of the United Nations, also supported its director by urging the top 400 billionaires in the U.S. to make a one-time donation and help the organization fight famine.
A one-time donation from the top 400 billionaires in the U.S. could help save the lives of 42 million people this year.
— World Food Programme (@WFP) November 1, 2021
Here's why @WFPChief called on world billionaires to help WFP #FightFamine.
Why It Matters: Beasley’s latest comments come after Musk responded on Sunday to a Twitter post that highlighted the UN official’s statements in an earlier interview with CNN and also noted that the WFP was not able to solve world hunger despite raising $8.4 billion in 2020.
Musk said he is ready to sell $6 billion worth of Tesla stock “right now” if Beasley could explain how the amount would help solve world hunger.
Musk is the world’s richest person with a net worth of $335 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The $6 billion amount would be less than 2% of Musk’s current net worth.
The growth in Musk’s wealth is due to a surge this year in the stock of Tesla, which last week joined the club of a select few companies valued at more than $1 trillion.
Price Action: Tesla shares closed almost 8.5% higher in Monday’s trading at $1,208.59.
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