Financial Associated Press, April 25 (Editor Shi Zhengcheng) The trial of whether Musk's statement about Tesla's privatization four years ago is suspected of fraud is in the hot court war. Taking this opportunity, the melon-eating masses can also get a glimpse of the private chat records between the "circle of friends of the world's richest people".
In documents filed by Musk and other defendants over the weekend, a series of chats between him and silicon valley entrepreneur friends and investors were publicly disclosed. Among them, Musk's communication and mutual throwing of the pot with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, president of Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF), also appeared in front of the world's eyes for the first time. The document was meant to prove that Musk once had reason to believe that Middle Eastern princes would fund Tesla's privatization.
(Source: Court documents)
Anger accuses Middle Eastern investors of 'perfidy'
After Musk announced on Twitter on August 7, 2018, that "Tesla will be privatized at a price of $420 and has secured financial support", on August 12, Bloomberg quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that saudi sovereign wealth funds intend to participate in Tesla's privatization.
The report also sparked displeasure from Musk, who texted Yasser directly saying that "this statement is too weak to reflect what we talked about at Tesla." You've said you're absolutely interested in taking Tesla private and have wanted to do so since 2016. You also said that you were the one who made the decision, and that the investment was strongly supported by the Saudi crown prince as an important strategy at the national level. ”
Musk sent a message to Yasser on the same day, saying that in addition to repeating the above points, he also said that "he went to the people who attended the meeting that day, so as not to misremember, but this is the truth."
The tesla chairman at the time breathlessly said that the comments publicly made by the Saudi sovereign fund to the media were so inconsistent with the private statements about the Tesla team that he would not cooperate with such an organization. Bloomberg's report makes him look "like a liar" and won't communicate with PIF until they fix the public impression.
In the face of Musk's anger, Yasser, while trying to appease, also made clear PIF's position. He said he didn't want to backstabbe Musk, but the PIF couldn't make a decision without getting enough information, and they had been waiting for tesla to provide financial data. Yasser has repeatedly said he would like to make a phone call or communicate with Musk in person, but has been rebuffed.
Of course, we already know the outcome of this matter. PIF ultimately did not promote the investment in Tesla's privatization, and then Musk tried to continue the process with Silver Lake Capital, Goldman Sachs, etc., but finally announced on August 24 that it would abandon the privatization.
The storm also drew the attention of U.S. securities regulators, and after a series of tugs, Musk and Tesla Company paid a fine of $20 million each, and Musk could not serve as chairman for three years, and the public remarks involving Xinpi needed to be reviewed by the company to settle with the SEC.
The chat history storm continues to ferment
Musk's chat with Bill Gates last week was more intriguing than his exchange with Yasser, and it was leaked through "informal" channels.
According to leaked records, while the two were chatting about a climate charity event led by Gates, Musk suddenly asked Gates if he held a short position in Tesla worth $500 million. After receiving a positive reply from Gates, Musk angrily rejected Gates' fundraising request, saying that "Tesla has done so many things to solve the climate problem, you are doing climate charity while shorting Tesla."
For this rumor, Musk also confirmed the authenticity on social media, and stressed that he heard the news of Gates shorting from TED's friends, so he went to ask. While Denying that he released the screenshot of this text message, Musk also mocked Gates's beer belly with Apple's newly launched "male mother" emoji.
(Source: Social Media)