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Tesla investors tell Elon Musk to apologize for 'pedo' Twitter remarks

They also suggest he should take a break from the social network.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter
Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials
  • Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Abrar Al-Heeti
2 min read
Elon Musk

Investors want Musk to apologize for calling a diver who saved 12 boys a "pedo."

Joshua Lott / Getty Images

Elon Musk's controversial tweet about a diver who helped rescue 12 boys from a cave in Thailand has prompted some  investors to express concern his behavior could affect the performance of his electric car company.

In an open letter on Tuesday, Gene Munster, a managing partner at Loup Ventures, said Musk's comment "crossed the line." In a since-deleted tweet, Musk called British diver Vernon Unsworth a "pedo guy" after he criticized the billionaire's proposed submarine rescue plan as a "PR stunt."

"Your behavior is fueling an unhelpful perception of your leadership - thin-skinned and short-tempered," Munster wrote in his letter, which was published on behalf of investors. "I suspect you would agree, given you removed the string from Twitter, but it will take more than that to regain investor confidence."

The exchange between Musk and Unsworth accelerated over the weekend with Unsworth telling media he is considering taking legal action against the Tesla CEO. In the letter, investors urge Musk to apologize, then "focus your message on your progress toward achieving Tesla's mission." That could even involve a Twitter sabbatical, they suggest. 

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has faced mounting scrutiny lately. Earlier this month, Musk criticized the media for "negative" coverage of Tesla, and in May said he would create a site where people could rate the trustworthiness of an article and track journalists' "credibility score." In June, he was involved in a dispute with an artist for allegedly using his work without compensation. 

There have also been larger issues involving Tesla. The electric car company has dealt with scandals involving worker injuries and fatal crashes

"Over the last 6 months, there have been too many examples of concerning behavior that is shaking investor confidence," Munster wrote in the letter. "I'm confident that this letter represents the view of investors and customers who want to see you succeed."

Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.