Elon Musk challenges the UN to explain how his $ 6 billion could end world hunger
SAN FRANCISCO (CROWN) – Elon Musk said he would sell some of his Tesla shares and donate them if the UN World Food Program could explain on Twitter how it would put an end to world hunger.
Specifically, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO wanted to know how his $ 6 billion – about 2% of his wealth – could eradicate world hunger after comments from a UN director.
“Congratulations with @elonmusk to walk past @JeffBezos as the world’s richest person – as much as $ 221 billion. worth! Elon, to celebrate, I’ll offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity: help us save 42 million people from starvation for only $ 6.6 billion !! The offer expires SOON … and so does life, “said David Beasley, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program. tweeted on 19 Oct.
Congratulations to @elonmusk to walk past @JeffBezos as the world’s richest person – as much as $ 221 billion. worth!
Elon, to celebrate this I offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity: help us save 42 million people from starvation for only $ 6.6 billion !! The offer expires SOON .. and life does too.
– David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 19, 2021
Beasley then followed up on that tweet under a CNN interview, and said, “the billionaires have to step up now, $ 6 billion, to help 42 million people who will literally die if we do not reach them. It’s not complicated.”
CNN published its interview with one heading claimed that Beasley had said that 2% of Musk’s wealth could solve world hunger.
Musk challenged the call and the insinuation of the headline, tweeting “If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $ 6B will solve the world’s hunger, I’ll sell Tesla shares right now and do it.” Followed by: “But it has to be open source accounting so the public can see exactly how the money is being spent.”
The UN director tweeted back, clarifying that he never said that $ 6 billion would “solve” world hunger, rather that the donation would save millions “during this unprecedented hunger crisis.”
Beasley reiterates a statement on the World Food Program website, which in part states: “WFP has the expertise, presence in deep field and operational scope to stop famine in its tracks and steer people away from the brink of starvation. We work around the clock to stave off famine, but have an urgent need for $ 6.6 billion to do this. ”
Musk’s last comment whether the case appeared to be a 6-year link to a British tabloid report claiming that UN peacekeepers had sexually abused hungry children in war zones.
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