The controversial American billionaire Elon Musk has returned to his usual skirmishes on the platform "X," engaging in debates regarding values, ethics, and other contentious topics, this time with World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The dispute began when Musk called for an end to discrimination worldwide and criticized the replacement of one form of discrimination with another, stating that the terms "diversity, equity, and inclusion" are just marketing words for racism, sexism, and other ideologies. He added in a tweet, "This is morally wrong like any other racism and sexism."
In response, the WHO Director disagreed with Musk respectfully, saying, "Dear Musk, I understand your perspective, but I respectfully disagree. I can give you many examples from my own experience and from others." He emphasized that "diversity, equity, and inclusion" are essential principles aimed at promoting fairness, equal opportunities, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. He pointed out that these principles aim to create a more just and inclusive society and called for collaboration to ensure everyone is treated equally and with dignity.
The tweet sparked mixed reactions from users, with some supporting Musk's comments and others backing the WHO Director's stance. This is not the first time Musk and Ghebreyesus have debated; they previously clashed in March over whether countries should cede power to the WHO under an agreement to combat COVID-19. Musk criticized the organization, stating, "Countries shouldn’t cede authority to the WHO," commenting on a video where Australian senator Malcolm Roberts criticized the organization.
In response, Ghebreyesus tweeted, "Countries aren’t ceding sovereignty to @WHO. The Pandemic Accord won’t change that. The accord will help countries better guard against pandemics. It will help us better protect people regardless of whether they live in rich or poor nations."
