Elon Musk and WHO Director Tedros in Spirited Dispute Over Diversity and Global Health Policies
In a recent development that has captured the attention of the global community, Elon Musk, the controversial American billionaire, engaged in a sharp exchange with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The dispute, unfolding on the “X” platform, revolved around the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and their implications in today’s society.
SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk- Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom-Source: Al-Arabyia
Musk ignited the debate by challenging the contemporary interpretation of DEI, labeling it as a pretext for racism and gender discrimination. He expressed in a tweet on Saturday, “It’s morally wrong, just like any other form of racism and gender discrimination.”
DEI must DIE.
The point was to end discrimination, not replace it with different discrimination.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2023
In a dignified response, Dr. Tedros respectfully disagreed with Musk, citing his personal experience and others’ testimonies. He emphasized that DEI principles are foundational to fostering justice, equal opportunities, and respect for individuals, irrespective of their background or identity. Dr. Tedros further stressed the importance of these values in creating a more equitable and inclusive society, advocating for equal treatment and dignity for all.
Dear @elonmusk, I understand your perspective, but I respectfully disagree. I can give you many examples from my own experience and from others.
"Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" are essential principles that aim to promote fairness, equal opportunities, and respect for all… https://t.co/Q5vBXOIIuW
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 16, 2023
This isn’t the first standoff between Musk and Dr. Tedros. Previously, they clashed over the issue of national sovereignty in the context of the WHO’s role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Musk criticized the WHO’s influence over national policies, a sentiment echoed by Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts in a video that Musk commented on. Dr. Tedros responded by asserting that the WHO’s pandemic agreement does not infringe on national sovereignty but rather enhances countries’ abilities to protect against epidemics.
Countries aren’t ceding sovereignty to @WHO. The #PandemicAccord won’t change that. The accord will help countries better guard against pandemics. It will help us to better protect people regardless of whether they live in countries that are rich or poor. https://t.co/kYYtyOrh0u
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 23, 2023
The recent Twitter spat has elicited a wide range of reactions from the online community, with supporters aligning with either Musk’s skepticism or Dr. Tedros’s advocacy for DEI principles.
