In the realm of billionaire supremacy, an unexpected twist has emerged, as Mark Zuckerberg has surpassed his longstanding rival, Elon Musk, on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as reported by Business Insider.
This shift in billionaire rankings has sent shockwaves through the financial world, with Zuckerberg ascending to the third spot and Musk slipping to fourth place. The reshuffling of the billionaire hierarchy has sparked a flurry of intense online discussions, with netizens seizing the opportunity to tease Musk about his downturn.
Zuckerberg’s meteoric rise in net worth is nothing short of astonishing, with a staggering increase of $58.9 billion this year alone. This surge is largely attributed to the resounding success of Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. At just 39 years old, Zuckerberg’s fortune now stands at an impressive $186.9 billion.
In stark contrast, Musk has experienced a sharp decline in wealth, plummeting by $48.4 billion and relinquishing his coveted top-three position on the billionaires list. The downward spiral was exacerbated by reports from Reuters indicating Tesla’s abandonment of plans for a more affordable car, which triggered a precipitous drop in the company’s shares. Musk vehemently refuted these claims, accusing Reuters of disseminating falsehoods without substantiation.
But the challenges facing Musk don’t end there. Tesla, the electric car company he helms, witnessed a three-month consecutive decline in vehicle deliveries, marking its first year-over-year downturn since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a Delaware judge dealt a significant blow to Musk by invalidating his $56 billion Tesla compensation package, a decision that could further erode his net worth.
Zuckerberg’s resurgence in the billionaire ranks marks a notable turnaround from previous years. In November 2020, Zuckerberg and Musk were neck and neck in wealth, but by November 2021, Zuckerberg had widened the gap to as much as $215 billion, underscoring his remarkable ascent.
The rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk is well-documented, with both billionaires engaging in public disputes and even exchanging challenges for a cage fight last year. However, Zuckerberg eventually declined the offer, stating that “it’s time to move on.”
News of Musk’s wealth decline has unleashed a wave of mockery and ridicule across social media platforms. Facebook users, in particular, have taken delight in poking fun at Musk’s expense, offering humorous quips and jests about his financial woes.
In the face of adversity, Musk finds himself the target of online banter and scrutiny, as netizens playfully dissect his financial setbacks and offer tongue-in-cheek advice. Despite the challenges, Musk’s resilience and ingenuity remain hallmarks of his character, ensuring that the battle for billionaire dominance continues to captivate audiences worldwide.