Elon Musk slammed for saying DEI is ‘another word for racism’

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk was slammed by billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban after the Tesla boss claimed diversity, equity and inclusion was “just another word for racism.” Mr Musk posted about the topic on his X social media platform in the wake of the resignation of Claudine Gay, Harvard’s first Black president. He wrote that DEI was “just another word for racism” in response to an essay by hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, the Harvard donor who was a prominent critic of Dr Gay. Mr Ackman wrote in a 4,000-word piece that DEI was “racist” and that he was worried about “racism against white people.” And Mr Musk agreed, posting “shame on anyone who uses” the phrase DEI. He then replied to one X user who denied that DEI was racist, stating “Discrimination on the basis of race, which DEI does, is literally the definition of racism.” Mr Cuban, who owned the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and stars on Shark Tank hit back at Mr Musk’s claims, saying that DEI was good for business.