Imagine losing a million-dollar friendship over a disagreement about a pandemic. That’s precisely what podcaster and neuroscientist Sam Harris claims happened with Elon Musk. The story has drama, high stakes, and a sprinkle of tequila.
In a jaw-dropping Substack post titled “The Trouble With Elon Musk,” Harris pulls back the curtain on his fractured friendship with the Tesla CEO. And yes, it involves a $1 million bet about COVID-19 case numbers in the U.S.
The Bet That Broke the Bond
According to Harris, it all started in the chaotic early days of the pandemic. Musk confidently bet him $1 million that U.S. COVID-19 cases wouldn’t exceed 35,000. Harris, sensing the stakes were too low, countered with a suggestion to up the limit to 3.5 million cases. Musk, however, didn’t budge, accusing Harris of losing his mind.
When reality struck, the numbers told a different story. Weeks later, the CDC reported 35,000 COVID-19 deaths and over 600,000 cases. Harris sent Musk a text dripping with irony:
“Is (35,000 deaths + 600,000 cases) > 35,000 cases?”
The message went unanswered. For Harris, that silence marked the end of their years-long friendship. In his post, he didn’t mince words:
“Let this be a cautionary tale for any of Elon’s friends tempted to tell him something he doesn’t want to hear.”
Musk’s Pandemic Stance: Bold or Reckless?
Musk’s COVID-19 commentary was nothing short of controversial. Back in 2020, he dismissed the pandemic fears with a blunt post on X (formerly Twitter): “The coronavirus panic is dumb.”
As the pandemic unfolded, Musk’s skepticism only grew. He criticized vaccines, took shots at Anthony Fauci, and even called for the prosecution of the former chief medical advisor, cheekily tweeting:
“My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci.”
Unsurprisingly, representatives for Musk have not responded to these claims.
A Friendship Once Admired
Harris reflects on the early days of his friendship with Musk, going back to 2008 when Tesla was fighting to stay afloat. Back then, Musk was borrowing money from friends like Larry Page and Sergey Brin to keep the lights on.
Harris admired Musk’s brilliance, describing him as a “world-historical figure” but warned of his potential to damage his reputation, relationships, and even the world.
From Admiration to Public Spat
The rift between the two has become increasingly public. Musk has labeled Harris as “mentally ill” and “an utter idiot,” while Harris hasn’t held back, calling Musk a bully and accusing him of being addicted to social media.
Harris also speculated on Musk’s erratic behavior in a podcast, saying the billionaire was likely “snorting ketamine and tweeting at all hours of the day and night.”
In his Substack post, Harris doubled down, claiming Musk’s behavior on X shows a warped moral compass and questionable grip on reality.
A Friendship Burned, a Warning Shared
What started as a high-stakes bet has spiraled into a public feud, highlighting the challenges of navigating personal relationships in the high-stakes world of tech and media. Harris’s final takeaway? Sometimes, telling a powerful friend the hard truth can cost more than a million dollars—it can cost the friendship itself.
