Some members of Musk’s considerable global audience were also horrified as controversial statements and management decisions grabbed the headlines yet again this year.
Musk’s brother, Kimbal, told Walter Isaacson, the author of an Elon Musk biography published in September, his sibling was a drama magnet”. He added: That’s his compulsion, the theme of his life.”
That impulse was on full display in 2023. Here are a few of the most notable stories involving the world’s richest man this year.
Challenging Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight
At one point in 2023 Musk appeared to be taking his love of Gladiator too far after he challenged the Facebook founder to a fight.
Responding to reports that Zuckerberg intended to launch a Twitter-like platform, Musk tweeted: "I'm up for a cage match if he is lol." Zuckerberg replied on Instagram: "Send Me Location."
That Zuckerberg, a cage fighting adherent, seemed to mean business at least gave the story some momentum no matter its improbability. However, Musk brought up a shoulder problem that might need surgery as, in typical fashion, he sowed doubt about just how serious he was being.
Zuckerberg decided his fellow billionaire was not being sincere, posting on Threads in August: "I think we can all agree Elon isn't serious and it's time to move on."
Rebranding Twitter
When he bought Twitter in October 2022, Musk tweeted "the bird is freed". In July, he got rid of it completely as he announced the platform would be rebranded as X, banishing the distinctive bird logo.
The rebranding was part of Musk's vision of transforming the micro-blogging service into an "everything app" modelled on WeChat, the Chinese platform that allows users to perform functions from ordering a taxi to paying bills.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
