A heated online spat erupted between tech mogul Elon Musk and billionaire investor Mark Cuban, as they clashed over Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in US companies. Musk, the world’s richest person, ignited the feud by denouncing DEI, labeling it as ‘literally the definition of racism.’ Cuban, known for his Shark Tank appearances and a minority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, fired back on Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter), defending DEI as a means to include individuals of diverse backgrounds who might otherwise be excluded from hiring considerations. Musk retaliated, questioning when the Mavericks would incorporate a ‘short white/Asian woman’ on their team. Cuban cited Brittney Griner, a two-time gold medalist with the US women’s national basketball team.
The clash was sparked by an essay from hedge fund tycoon Bill Ackman, who opposed DEI, pointing to the resignation of Claudine Gay, Harvard’s first Black President. Critics argued her appointment was influenced by Harvard’s focus on diversity rather than merit. Musk later suggested that diversity should serve as a tiebreaker if job qualifications were comparable. When Business Insider reached out to Cuban for comments on Musk’s statements, Cuban responded dismissively, stating, “Nothing to say beyond I’m just having fun.” The confrontation highlights the ongoing debate and varying perspectives on the role of DEI initiatives within institutions and corporations.
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