Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently raised concerns about Microsoft’s hiring practices in response to an unverified post on social media platform X. The post accused Microsoft’s gaming division, led by Indian American CEO Satya Nadella, of allegedly excluding white candidates from the hiring process.
In his response, Musk questioned the legality of these alleged practices, stating, “Um, [Satya Nadella], this is illegal.” The post in question claimed that Microsoft was actively recruiting “unqualified queer and black people” for roles in video game projects, as part of an executive directive against “crusty old white dudes.”
While these claims have not been verified, Microsoft has not officially addressed Musk’s comments. However, the company has emphasized its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Nadella himself has been a vocal advocate for increasing diversity within the tech sector, and Microsoft has implemented various programs to foster a more inclusive workforce.
This is not the first time Musk has taken aim at Microsoft. Previously, he criticized Nadella’s response to a global IT outage caused by an update from CrowdStrike. The outage affected services like Microsoft 365 and Azure cloud, prompting Musk to comment on the impact it had on the automotive supply chain, jokingly stating it “gave a seizure to the automotive supply chain.”
Musk also shared a meme poking fun at the situation and retweeted a post from 2021 where he humorously compared Microsoft to a fictional company called “Macrohard.” Prior to these incidents, Musk had also voiced his disapproval of the setup process for new Windows PCs, urging Microsoft to provide users with the option to skip creating a Microsoft account.
While the authenticity of the initial post targeting Microsoft’s hiring practices remains in question, Musk’s public critique of Nadella and the company’s response to various issues highlights the ongoing tension between tech industry leaders. As debates around diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to shape the corporate landscape, it is crucial for companies like Microsoft to address these concerns transparently and proactively. Musk’s outspoken commentary serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and fairness in hiring practices within the tech sector.
