UN World Food Programme Chief Responds To Elon Musk's $6 Billion Offer

The chief executive of the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to Elon Musk's pledge to donate $6 billion generated by the sales of Tesla stocks to help end world hunger, provided the UN devises a plan and then makes it freely available to scrutiny.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

It all started when UN World Food Programme chief David Beasley called upon billionaires such as Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezos to use some of their wealth to help those living in poverty and without food around the globe.

In an interview with CNN, Beasley said that those super-rich people need to 'step up now, on a one-time basis', name checking Musk and Bezos specifically.

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He added: "$6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don't reach them. It's not complicated."

Well, he clearly reached Musk.

The Tesla chief later tweeted: "If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it."

"But it must be open source accounting, so the public sees precisely how the money is spent."

Beasley then responded: "I can assure you that we have the systems in place for transparency and open source accounting. Your team can review and work with us to be totally confident of such.

"Let's talk: It isn't as complicated as Falcon Heavy, but too much at stake to not at least have a conversation.

"I can be on the next flight to you.

"Throw me out if you don't like what you hear!"

Clarifying his original point, Beasley continued: "$6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation.

"An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises."

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Musk then asked Beasley to provide information about how money is currently spent by the WFP, writing: "Please publish your current & proposed spending in detail so people can see exactly where money goes."

He added: "Sunlight is a wonderful thing."

Beasley then made Musk an offer, tweeting: "Instead of tweets, allow me to show you.

"We can meet anywhere - Earth or space - but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP's people, processes and yes, technology, at work.

"I will bring the plan, and open books."

Let's hope that this isn't just two people blustering back and forth on Twitter, and that something is actually done about this.

Topics: Food, elon musk, World News, Money, Interesting, Politics

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim