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Elon Musk’s offer of $1 billion to Wikipedia, made in October 2023, continues to stand, with the condition that the popular online encyclopedia change its name for at least one year. Musk, who is known for his bold statements and actions, had proposed the name change to “Dickipedia,” arguing that it would be more “accurate” given what he perceives as questionable financial practices by the Wikimedia Foundation.
In his original offer, Musk criticized the Wikimedia Foundation’s fundraising, questioning why the organization, which operates Wikipedia, requires such substantial funding. “You can literally fit a copy of the entire text on your phone,” Musk pointed out. He went on to ask, “So, what’s the money for? Inquiring minds want to know…”
Musk’s offer, made on X (formerly Twitter), sparked an online conversation about the necessity of large-scale donations to Wikipedia, given its minimal operational costs. However, the Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees Wikipedia, rejected the offer, with the nonprofit organization likely viewing Musk’s demand for a name change as an unreasonable and disruptive condition.
Despite the rejection, Musk responded to a post from Doge Designer, a social media account, which had reminded followers of the original offer, saying, “True. Offer still stands.”
Musk’s net worth, currently estimated at $468 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, has surged by an impressive $239 billion in 2024. While the $1 billion offer may seem like a small sum for someone of Musk’s wealth, it highlights his ongoing interest in challenging major institutions, as well as his willingness to inject humor and controversy into serious financial matters.
As of now, there has been no official comment from the Wikimedia Foundation regarding Musk’s most recent statement. Whether the organization will reconsider the offer or dismiss it outright remains to be seen, but Musk’s offer has certainly kept the conversation about Wikipedia’s finances and operations alive.
The proposed name change to “Dickipedia” would certainly be controversial, raising questions about the balance between humor, corporate power, and the role of nonprofit organizations in the digital age. Whether Musk’s offer will ever be taken seriously or remain a jest only time will tell.
Sources By Agencies
