…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Musk and Zuckerberg Exchange Taunting Tweets
A peculiar exchange unfolded on Twitter when Elon Musk responded to a post about Meta’s upcoming Twitter competitor, teasing Mark Zuckerberg by suggesting a cage match.
Zuckerberg took the bait and responded via Instagram, which is owned by Meta’s parent company, Facebook.
He playfully challenged Musk to provide a location for the showdown.
Musk then tweeted “Vegas Octagon,” referencing the venue for UFC fights in Las Vegas.
Layoffs Cast a Shadow on CEOs’ Feud
This unusual exchange takes place against the backdrop of significant layoffs at both Meta and Musk’s respective companies.
In March, Meta laid off over 10,000 employees, following an additional 11,000 staff cuts in November 2022.
Musk, since taking over Twitter in October 2022, has reportedly reduced the platform’s staff by over 80%, coinciding with a 59% drop in ad revenues.
Tech Giants Embrace Content Creator Role
The playful banter between Musk and Zuckerberg draws comparisons to the 2019 fight between YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI.
However, Zuckerberg’s response is not surprising, considering his frequent mentions of his Ju-Jitsu training on Instagram.
He recently shared his experience in his “first ju-jitsu tournament,” boasting about winning medals.
In contrast, Musk jokingly describes a move he calls “The Walrus,” which involves lying on top of his opponent and doing nothing.
Meta’s Twitter Rival and Potential Competitors
The initial Twitter conversation that sparked the playful feud revolved around Meta’s rumored Twitter rival.
Although not yet officially announced to the public, Meta confirmed its development of a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates.
With the development codenamed “P92,” this potential platform could emerge as a significant competitor to Twitter, alongside Bluesky, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.