Elon Musk has once again reignited the debate over Wikipedia's funding and its name, reaffirming his $1 billion bid for a controversial rebrand. On February 17, 2025, Musk responded to an inquiry on X, clarifying that his original offer is still valid, urging Wikipedia to accept a deal with a playful challenge: "Offer still stands. Come on, do it..."
This latest statement refers to Musk's initial offer in October 2023, when he offered to give the Wikimedia Foundation a staggering $1 billion—under one condition: Wikipedia must change its name to "Dickipedia." His comments came amid ongoing disagreement with Wikipedia’s co-founder Jimmy Wales over credibility, funding, and content moderation.
The controversy stems from Musk's criticism of Wikipedia's business strategy, including its repeated donation appeals despite a huge budget. In earlier social media encounters, Musk openly questioned why Wikipedia, which he claims requires minimal operational funding, is trying to collect big sums from the public. In response to a meme mocking Wikipedia's fundraising efforts, Musk said, "Every time," highlighting his doubts about the non-profit's spending.
Musk's criticism escalated in late 2024 when he urged his followers to quit donating to the Wikimedia Foundation. He also accuses the platform of overspending on diversity, equity, and inclusion projects, citing reports that 29% of its $177 million budget was committed to "equity" and "safety and inclusion." Musk urged his followers to withhold donations until the editorial balance was restored, labeling the platform "Wokepedia."
The billionaire's latest reaffirmation of his $1 billion offer comes amid an ongoing spat with Jimmy Wales, who earlier criticized Musk for removing verification features from X, making it harder to differentiate credible journalists from unreliable sources. Musk countered by questioning Wikipedia's ability to verify information accurately, further fueling the conflict.
While Wikipedia hasn't officially responded to Musk's renewed offer, this situation highlights the current conflicts among industry leaders over free speech, editorial control, and financial transparency in digital spaces.