[9YearLurker]

Musk can’t both be a “genius”—and actually believe the CC crap.

[MrRelevant]

He can be a genius for exploiting it for his personal gain.

[rlmorel]

Right, I agree. But, on the other hand, if you wish to skewer someone with global warming stupidity, it is perfectly fine to accept it for the length of a passage of rhetoric to use that stupidity as a cudgel, even if you don't believe a word of it and have a public record of saying so.

When you read the statement: "...Sorry, I cannot take your philanthropy on climate change seriously when you have a massive short position against Tesla, the company doing the most to solve climate change..."

it is fascinating to realize how well crafted that statement is.

If Gates had shot back "You don't even believe in climate change, you denounced it as a fraud on April 5th, during a forum on space exploration!" Musk would say accurately: That has nothing to do with what I said to you. I don't believe in climate change the way you do. My point is I a cannot take your offers of climate change philanthropy serious if you are shorting the most consequential electric car manufacturer. Never mind your purchases of beachfront property."

Unfortunately, I do think Musk is onboard for climate change action (I don't know about that aspect of him) but I can't say if he really believes it or simply says he does to sell cars. He is an unusual person, to put it mildly.

[WoofDog123]

his track record suggests he is a genius.