Before Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were sitting together like besties at Donald Trump‘s inauguration back in January, the two of them had some all mighty beef. The drama between the two tech dude bros was so intense and public that it culminated into threats of a punch on in Rome’s Colosseum, gladiator style.
While it never eventuated, I find it endlessly entertaining that two of the richest, most powerful men in the world got into such an online squabble that they threatened violence on the world stage. It’s the type of story that keeps me up at night and further locks in my belief that these two lizards have too much money and, perhaps, time on their hands.
So, please join me on a walk down memory lane as we remember the time the founders of global powerhouses Meta and Tesla almost got into some fisticuffs.
Before the real punch-on drama began, the two business bros had a few not-so-pleasant run ins.
In 2016, Musk’s company SpaceX was launching a satellite which Zuck would be using for a project to deliver internet to developing nations. However, during the launch, the rocket exploded and in turn ruined the satellite. Naturally, Zuck was not pleased.
Then, in 2017, they clashed over opinions on AI. At the time, Elon was vehemently against the rise of AI and believed that it could lead to “civilisation destruction“. Ironically, he now owns his own AI venture called xAI.
Meanwhile, Zuck thought this perspective was silly.
“I have pretty strong opinions on this. With AI especially, I’m really optimistic, and I think that people who are naysayers and try to drum up these doomsday scenarios … I don’t understand it. It’s really negative, and in some ways, I actually think it’s pretty irresponsible,” he said.
In response, Musk had a quick, savage clap back: “I’ve talked to Mark about this. His understanding of the subject is limited.”
Over the next few years, the bad vibes continued, especially with Musk bad-mouthing Facebook at every chance he got. In fact, in 2022, he even tweeted that “Facebook gives me the willies”.
Same, tbh.
Facebook gives me the willies
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2022
However, it was 2023 when the threats of physical violence truly began. The beef kicked off after Musk heard whispers that Zuck was starting a website reminiscent of OG Twitter called Threads.
You see, Musk had recently bought Twitter and turned it into X. The move completely shifted the public opinion towards X, and the company’s value dropped by 71 per cent.
So when Musk heard Zuck was releasing a platform to fill the hole left by the OG Twitter, he was pissed and tweeted “I’m sure Earth can’t wait to be exclusively under Zuck’s thumb.”
In response, an X user jokingly tweeted Musk, telling him to watch out because Zuck new jiu-jitsu, to which Musk responded, “I’m up for a cage match if he is lol”.
Although it was clearly a joke, Zuck was actually down and responded with “send me location”.
“Vegas Octagon”, Musk replied.
If this couldn’t get more dramatic, this is when Dana White, the CEO of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), got involved and called both of the tech lizards to see if they’d be down to actually have a match at the iconic Vegas Octagon.
This is where things got nutso. Although Musk admitted that he wasn’t as fit and athletic as Zuck, he did say he had some fighting experience under his belt.
True. Although very dated now, I trained in judo, Kyokushin (full contact) & no rules streetfighting.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 24, 2023
He was also constantly baiting Zuck on X with tweets like “Zuck is a cuck” and “I propose a literal dick measuring contest”.
I wish I was making this up.
Meanwhile, Zuck appeared to be training pretty hard with two legends of the UFC, Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.
Despite their big talks online, truthfully, no actual plans had been locked in for a fight. At one point, the fight was supposed to be for charity and livestreamed, but the fellas couldn’t decide whose platform the livestream should be hosted on.
Musk even claimed that Italy “graciously” offered them the Colosseum to fight in.
Fight Recap:
I joked on X about fighting Zuck
Zuck then said “SEND ME LOCATION”
Italy graciously offered a Colosseum
Zuck declined
I suggested his home as “safe space”
Tragically, he was ahem “traveling”
Is there anywhere he will fight?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2023
Ultimately, this never ended up happening. After a year of back and forth — and claims from Musk that he’d just turn up at Zuck’s house — Zuck decided to stop the rhetoric with a statement from Meta.
“Mark takes this sport seriously and isn’t going to fight someone who randomly shows up at his door,” a Meta spokesperson said.
Despite the two having some very public beef spanning years, they seem to have found a united front — supporting Donald Trump and peddling conservative values.
If you’re into the beef between these two brogliarchs, or celebrity feuds, frienemies and falling outs, then I have the perfect shameless self-promotion for you.
This week, I launched a podcast called High Steaks, and it’s about just that. Joined by incredible Sydney journalist and almond croissant enthusiast Madi Bogisch, we’ll be discussing all the silliest celebrity arguments that captivated the internet each week.
If that’s your thing — or you want more of the grimy details about the beef between Musk and Zuck — you can check out the entire first episode below.
You can find High Steaks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
