Wikipedia Fires Back at Elon Musk

Wikipedia's founder has hit back at Elon Musk after the tech CEO called for followers to boycott donations to the site.

Jimmy Wales defended the online encyclopedia from allegations of political bias from Musk, who said that readers should "defund Wikipedia until balance is restored."

Newsweek contacted Wikipedia and Musk through X via email for comment on this story.

Why It Matters

Musk has become increasingly critical of legacy media organizations, which he claims misrepresent his beliefs and actions. The opposition to him from Wikipedia represents a break from other tech companies, which have become increasingly friendly towards Donald Trump and his officials in the wake of his election victory.

What to Know

Musk called on his followers to "defund Wikipedia" after his page on the site was updated to include a reference to his gesture at Trump's post-inauguration speech, which critics compared to a Nazi salute.

"Defund Wikipedia until balance is restored!" Musk wrote on X. "Stop donating to Wokepedia until they restore balance to their editing authority."

However, Wales replied to Musk, defending the site and criticizing the tech CEO for stirring up anger.

Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at the Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Getty Images

"I think Elon is unhappy that Wikipedia is not for sale," Wales wrote in a repost of Musk's comments. "I hope his campaign to defund us results in lots of donations from people who care about the truth. If Elon wanted to help, he'd be encouraging kind and thoughtful intellectual people he agrees with to engage."

Wikipedia, which is free, relies heavily on donations to maintain the site. Musk has previously joked that he would donate $1 billion to Wikipedia if it changed its name to "Dickipedia."

What People Are Saying

A Wikipedia Foundation spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "Every day, Wikipedia is viewed by millions of people around the world seeking information on topics that affect their lives and shape their decisions. Thanks to the contributions of a global community of hundreds of thousands of volunteer editors, Wikipedia continues to be a reliable, trusted resource for all."

What Happens Next

Musk is preparing to make major changes to the functions of the federal government as the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. He plans to slash the budget and make major cuts to several departments in a bid to reduce spending.

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