Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders Go Head To Head Over Wealth Inequality

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has taken Elon Musk to task over his massive fortune, saying that it cannot be right to keep so much wealth in reserve while millions of Americans struggle to meet basic needs. Musk has defended his wealth as going toward a worthy cause, namely sending people into space.

The latest clash started Thursday, with Sanders criticizing both Musk and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the only man wealthier than the Tesla founder.

We are in a moment in American history where two guys — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos — own more wealth than the bottom 40% of people in this country. That level of greed and inequality is not only immoral. It is unsustainable.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 18, 2021

Sanders’ comments are hardly unusual for the populist hardliner. He’s been a frequent critic of policies and economic systems that concentrate wealth in the hands of the few. This time, the outlet Clean Technica, a frequent Tesla proponent, picked up on the criticism. That prompted a reply from Musk himself.

I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 21, 2021

Sanders apparently wasn’t impressed by Musk’s promises, telling the billionaire to “focus on Earth” instead of trying to escape the planet’s problems.

Space travel is an exciting idea, but right now we need to focus on Earth and create a progressive tax system so that children don't go hungry, people are not homeless and all Americans have healthcare. The level of inequality in America is obscene and a threat to our democracy. https://t.co/CbMWYnPFUx
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 21, 2021

The exchange prompted its fair share of debate online. Musk has a sizeable fanbase, with many people viewing him as the kind of anti-establishment innovator the country needs. Paired with Musk’s sizeable online presence, any criticism of Musk’s ideas is sure to encounter a backlash.

It's a false dichotomy to say we have to choose between exploring space and ending poverty. Please don't play into zero-sum scarcity thinking. We can and should do both. The government doesn't need Musk's wealth. We can just end poverty. It's a matter of will not resource limits.
— Scott Santens (@scottsantens) March 21, 2021

Why have wages stagnated while worker productivity has skyrocketed? Wealth is being created, but all the benefits of our technological and scientific advancement are going to a handful at the top.
— 2022 Jump Street (@IrateMaxwell) March 22, 2021

This file photo from March 9, 2020 shows Tesla boss Elon Musk speaking at an event in Washington; he has denied that his cars could be used to spy on China AFP / Brendan Smialowski

Bezos, who is leaving Amazon, has remained mum. He maintains a much lower profile than Musk, preferring not to engage with attacks online or try to cultivate a digital following.

Elon musk Jeff bezos Tesla