Elon Musk mocked Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), telling the senator that he keeps “forgetting that you’re still alive.”
Sanders tweeted over the weekend, “We must demand that the extremely wealthy pay their fair share. Period.”
Musk responded, “I keep forgetting that you’re still alive.”
I keep forgetting that you’re still alive
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2021
He added, “Want me to sell more stock, Bernie? Just say the word …”
Want me to sell more stock, Bernie? Just say the word …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2021
Sanders previously took aim at Musk, suggesting he should focus less on space travel and more on other issues.
In March, Musk tweeted, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary and extend the light of consciousness to the stars.”
The senator responded, “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.”
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
CNBC reported Musk is the richest individual on earth with a net worth of $294 billion. Earlier in 2021, his net worth reached $340 billion. The outlet also noted Musk’s net worth has increased by $124 billion since January 1.
ProPublica reported in June, Elon Musk avoided paying federal income tax in 2018. In October, Musk took to Twitter to respond to a report on the Democrats’ billionaire tax.
According to an analysis, “Musk would pay as much as $50 billion under the tax over its first five years, while Bezos could pay as much as $44 billion.”
Musk claimed in a tweet, “Eventually, they run out of other people’s money and then they come for you.”
Exactly. Eventually, they run out of other people’s money and then they come for you.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2021
He also said, “My plan is to use the money to get humanity to Mars and preserve the light of consciousness.”
My plan is to use the money to get humanity to Mars and preserve the light of consciousness
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2021
The Washington Post reported in October the wealthiest 10 Americans collectively own approximately $1.3 trillion and the tax plan would require them to pay a combined total of $276 billion in taxes.