Elon Musk is known for disrupting industries and speaking his mind, especially when it comes to traditional business icons like Warren Buffett. Over the years, Musk has repeatedly taken jabs at the legendary investor, calling his style of capital allocation “boring” and questioning the relevance of reading financial reports all day. But beneath the surface of these casual insults lies an unexpected twist: Musk once tried to get Buffett to invest in Tesla. It’s a paradox that perfectly captures Musk’s blend of blunt criticism, calculated strategy, and grudging admiration.
Elon Musk vs Warren Buffett: Brash disruptor meets the Oracle of Omaha
In 2020, Musk appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and openly criticised Warren Buffett’s approach to investing, saying, “To be totally frank, I’m not his biggest fan.” He mocked Buffett’s routine of reading company reports, describing it as “super boring.” Musk even extended his critique to the broader financial and legal professions, saying the world needed fewer people in finance and more people “making stuff.” That same year, in a New York Times interview, he doubled down, chuckling at Buffett’s reputation as a “kindly grandfather,” suggesting the image was exaggerated.The theme continued in 2021 when Musk was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Again, he repeated that Buffett’s job “doesn’t sound fun,” but acknowledged that Buffett does “a useful job for the economy” and is “very skilled at it.” Despite these remarks, Musk’s admiration for Buffett’s financial acumen is hard to miss. In fact, Musk reportedly approached Buffett to invest in Tesla during its more financially uncertain days, an ironic move considering the public mockery.
Critique or compliment? The billionaire paradox
Musk’s commentary might seem dismissive, but it also reveals his unique way of both challenging and respecting the establishment. He doesn’t want Buffett’s job, but he clearly respects the weight his endorsement carries. The attempt to win Buffett over as a Tesla investor shows Musk isn’t above leveraging old-school credibility to boost new-age ventures. His attitude reflects a broader generational divide: Buffett’s world of slow, calculated capital allocation versus Musk’s fast-moving, risk-embracing innovation. In the end, Musk may not be Buffett’s biggest fan, but he certainly knows the value of having one.
