News
Elon Musk slams reporter accusing increase of hateful content on Twitter: ‘You just lied!’
Elon Musk slammed a reporter from the BBC who accused him of allowing hateful content to be more available and visible on Twitter. The Tesla and Twitter frontman asked him to bring forth a single example of hateful content that the reporter had seen, and when they were unable to list a specific form of it, Musk said, “You just lied!”
James Clayton of the BBC showed up at Twitter HQ to interview Musk, and the conversation eventually turned to hateful content on the platform.
I said BBC could come Twitter, then, to my surprise, a reporter shows up
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 12, 2023
When Musk asked Clayton whether the content was something “you don’t like or content that is hateful,” he asked for a definition of what is hateful.
“Content that will solicit a reaction, something that may include something that is slightly racist or slightly sexist, those kinds of things,” Clayton said.
Musk responded by asking if because something is “slightly sexist,” it should be banned.
Clayton responded by stating that he isn’t saying anything should be banned or allowed, specifically, but Musk asked for specific examples of either sexist or racist content that he had personally seen on the platform.
“You asked me whether my feed, whether it has got less or more [hateful content], I would say more.” Musk immediately repeated that he wanted a specific example, but Clayton could not bring forth a single specific instance of something that he considered “hateful content,” even though he had said his feed specifically had more.
“Can you name one example?” Musk asked. “I honestly don’t…” Before Musk said, “You can’t name a single example?”
Clayton said, “I’ll tell you why. Because I don’t actually use that ‘For You’ feed anymore because I just don’t particularly like it. A lot of people are quite similar.”
Musk went on to ask how Clayton could say that hateful content has increased on his feed, in his perspective, but that he does not use the ‘For You’ feed anymore. Clayton said that he has stuck to the ‘Followers’ feed for the past 3-4 weeks, and Musk asked, “Then how do you see that hateful content.”
“Because I’ve been using Twitter since you’ve taken it over for the last six months,” Clayton responded.
“Okay, so then you must have at some point seen ‘For You’ hateful content. I’m asking for one example,” Musk said. Clayton was still unable to give one example, and Musk broke down the argument even further by stating that, while he was convinced hateful content had increased based on his own experience, yet was unable to bring up an example, he falsified his point.
“You just lied!” Musk said.
Clayton then said that “there are many organizations” that claim hateful content has increased under Musk’s ownership of Twitter. Under Clayton’s own experience, however, he stated he experienced more hateful content, then couldn’t name an example.
The full encounter is available below.
ICYMI – BBC reporter caught out by Elon Musk on “hate speech.”pic.twitter.com/oC5yOolPAP
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 12, 2023
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Elon Musk
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX has issued an initial statement about Starship Booster 18’s anomaly early Friday. The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX’s initial comment
As per SpaceX in a post on its official account on social media platform X, Booster 18 was undergoing gas system pressure tests when the anomaly happened. Despite the nature of the incident, the company emphasized that no propellant was loaded, no engines were installed, and personnel were kept at a safe distance from the booster, resulting in zero injuries.
“Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site,” SpaceX wrote in its post on X.
Incident and aftermath
Livestream footage from LabPadre showed Booster 18’s lower half crumpling around the liquid oxygen tank area at approximately 4:04 a.m. CT. Subsequent images posted by on-site observers revealed extensive deformation across the booster’s lower structure. Needless to say, spaceflight observers have noted that Booster 18 would likely be a complete loss due to its anomaly.
Booster 18 had rolled out only a day earlier and was one of the first vehicles in the Starship V3 program. The V3 series incorporates structural reinforcements and reliability upgrades intended to prepare Starship for rapid-reuse testing and eventual tower-catch operations. Elon Musk has been optimistic about Starship V3, previously noting on X that the spacecraft might be able to complete initial missions to Mars.
Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) received fresh support from Piper Sandler this week after analysts toured the Fremont Factory and tested the company’s latest Full Self-Driving software. The firm reaffirmed its $500 price target, stating that FSD V14 delivered a notably smooth robotaxi demonstration and may already perform at levels comparable to, if not better than, average human drivers.
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Analysts highlight autonomy progress
During more than 75 minutes of focused discussions, analysts reportedly focused on FSD v14’s updates. Piper Sandler’s team pointed to meaningful strides in perception, object handling, and overall ride smoothness during the robotaxi demo.
The visit also included discussions on updates to Tesla’s in-house chip initiatives, its Optimus program, and the growth of the company’s battery storage business. Analysts noted that Tesla continues refining cost structures and capital expenditure expectations, which are key elements in future margin recovery, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.
Analyst Alexander Potter noted that “we think FSD is a truly impressive product that is (probably) already better at driving than the average American.” This conclusion was strengthened by what he described as a “flawless robotaxi ride to the hotel.”
Street targets diverge on TSLA
While Piper Sandler stands by its $500 target, it is not the highest estimate on the Street. Wedbush, for one, has a $600 per share price target for TSLA stock.
Other institutions have also weighed in on TSLA stock as of late. HSBC reiterated a Reduce rating with a $131 target, citing a gap between earnings fundamentals and the company’s market value. By contrast, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and a $509 target, pointing to strong autonomous driving demonstrations in Austin and the pace of software-driven improvements.
Stifel analysts also lifted their price target for Tesla to $508 per share over the company’s ongoing robotaxi and FSD programs.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Version 3 booster crumples in early testing
Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
SpaceX’s new Starship first-stage booster, Booster 18, suffered major damage early Friday during its first round of testing in Starbase, Texas, just one day after rolling out of the factory.
Based on videos of the incident, the lower section of the rocket booster appeared to crumple during a pressurization test. Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
Booster test failure
SpaceX began structural and propellant-system verification tests on Booster 18 Thursday night at the Massey’s Test Site, only a few miles from Starbase’s production facilities, as noted in an Ars Technica report. At 4:04 a.m. CT on Friday, a livestream from LabPadre Space captured the booster’s lower half experiencing a sudden destructive event around its liquid oxygen tank section. Post-incident images, shared on X by @StarshipGazer, showed notable deformation in the booster’s lower structure.
Neither SpaceX nor Elon Musk had commented as of Friday morning, but the vehicle’s condition suggests it is likely a complete loss. This is quite unfortunate, as Booster 18 is already part of the Starship V3 program, which includes design fixes and upgrades intended to improve reliability. While SpaceX maintains a rather rapid Starship production line in Starbase, Booster 18 was generally expected to validate the improvements implemented in the V3 program.
Tight deadlines
SpaceX needs Starship boosters and upper stages to begin demonstrating rapid reuse, tower catches, and early operational Starlink missions over the next two years. More critically, NASA’s Artemis program depends on an on-orbit refueling test in the second half of 2026, a requirement for the vehicle’s expected crewed lunar landing around 2028.
While SpaceX is known for diagnosing failures quickly and returning to testing at unmatched speed, losing the newest-generation booster at the very start of its campaign highlights the immense challenge involved in scaling Starship into a reliable, high-cadence launch system. SpaceX, however, is known for getting things done quickly, so it would not be a surprise if the company manages to figure out what happened to Booster 18 in the near future.
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
