Elon Musk zings Mavericks' Mark Cuban as billionaires debate DEI merits

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk defended his character at a New York Times book event, saying his critics cared more about public perception than doing actual good in the world.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk zinged Dallas Mavericks minority team owner Mark Cuban Thursday as the two debated diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) in business.

Musk responded to Cuban after the billionaire gave his opinions on diversity, equality and inclusion. 

"If you don't think there is a need for DEI and it doesn't create a competitive advantage for your company, just  look at the @x posts/replies/quotes below," Cuban wrote.

"These are the same people that work for you or are your co-workers. Everyone is entitled to their POV, but these same feelings, even if they are not said out-loud, are heard loud and clear at work."

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Elon Musk walks through the paddock area during the Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas Oct. 22, 2023. (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman/USA Today Network)

Musk responded with a pointed question about the makeup of the Mavericks’ roster.

"Cool, so when should we expect to see a short white/Asian women on the Mavs?"

Cuban didn’t immediately respond to Musk’s reply.

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Musk kicked off the debate on X when he wrote that DEI was "just another word for racism" and "shame on anyone who uses it." When X user Ed Krassenstein mentioned that he thought DEI had major flaws, Musk responded that "discrimination on the basis of race, which DEI does, is literally the definition of racism."

Cuban weighed in with five separate points on DEI.

Dallas