Elon Musk criticises Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott for donating Rs157700 crore, calls it...

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently criticised philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Musk reposted a message by author and ex-banker John LeFevre, which raised concerns about Scott's donations to nonprofits focusing on issues like racial equity, social justice, immigration protections, and LGBTQ+ rights. Musk added his one-word comment: "Concerning."

Concerning https://t.co/C11Lnm8XeH

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2024

MacKenzie Scott, who is the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has been one of the most generous philanthropists in recent years. Since 2019, she has donated over USD 19 billion to more than 2,450 organizations through her charity, Yield Giving. Despite these donations, her net worth still exceeds USD 30 billion, largely due to the increasing value of her Amazon shares.

LeFevre’s post noted Scott’s growing philanthropic efforts, stating, "So she's just getting started." Musk, however, has frequently criticised her support for progressive causes. In March, he shared a now-deleted post mocking Scott, claiming that “super-rich ex-wives who hate their former spouse” are contributing to societal decline. Musk has also accused Scott of donating to political action committees disguised as charities, suggesting her actions have negatively impacted his companies.

In response to earlier criticisms, Scott continued her donations, announcing a USD 640 million contribution in April 2023, distributed across 361 organizations. Unlike traditional philanthropy models, Scott has taken a unique approach by allowing recipient organizations to decide how best to use the funds. Experts like Hans Peter Schmitz, a nonprofit leadership professor at North Carolina State University, praise Scott's strategy for its flexibility and focus on impactful giving. He noted that Scott relies on consultants to identify the most effective nonprofits, avoiding overly restrictive grant systems or foundations.

Scott’s efforts have set a powerful example in the world of philanthropy, even as they continue to spark debate among critics like Musk. Her actions highlight a commitment to addressing critical social issues while empowering organizations to maximize their impact.