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•UN official said if Musk donates $6 billion, 42 million people could be helped
•Musk demands transparency about how the money will be spent
Billionaire Elon Musk said he would right away donate $6 billion if the UN can explain how the donation would solve world hunger crisis.
Director of UN’s World Food Programme, David Beasley said last week that if billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos donate $6 billion of their wealth, 42 million people could be helped.
Beasley told CNN that it was time for the ultra-wealthy to “step up now, on a one-time basis” in order to “help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them.”
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s wealth has climbed more than $140 million this year and is worth more than $300 million now.
On Sunday, Musk said on Twitter that if WFP can describe “exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.”
A Twitter user pointed out that $6 billion is only 2% of Musk’s net worth.
Demand for transparency
Musk also demanded transparency about how the money will be spent. UN’s plan must include “open source accounting, so the public sees precisely how the money is spent,” Musk added.
Beasley, in turn, replied to Musk that he would “be on the next flight” to discuss the plan with him and said the executive can “throw me out if you don’t like what you hear.”
The UN official also said the $6 billion donation would not instantly solve world hunger but “will prevent global political instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation.”
If Musk, the world’s richest person currently, makes the donation, it would be his largest known charitable contribution.
Critics have criticized Musk for not giving away more of his wealth. Earlier this year, Musk pledged to give away $150 million.
Picture Credits: Getty Images